The Port of Maputo again reached a record volume of cargo handled for 2013 exceeding the 17 million tons. In 2012, the Port had reached the 15 million tons, the highest ever achieved in the history of the port. With this new record, the port is on track to meet the target set out in its strategic plan: reaching 40 million tons by 2020.
The growth in the Port last year was not limited to cargo volume and extended to several other areas, such as the recruitment of 116 young trainees whom after training joined the company. The implementation plans for port expansion also had a high impact on local businesses with over $ 34 million being invested in the acquisition of services to domestic companies in the sectors of construction, transport, stevedoring, catering, etc.
2013 was a year of the highest investments with the Port of Maputo master plan and some of the major projects that have been completed were the rehabilitation of all internal roads and the expansion works of the gate 1 (access of trucks, which now comprises 5 lanes from the previous 2), a new shed for the export of rock phosphate with a capacity to handle 500,000 tons per year (which will form part of the new Bulk Terminal planned for construction in 2015) and the expansion of several other terminals.
Last year was also the year of investment in maritime operations with the purchase of a new pilot boat, a new tug boat and a multi –functional service boat.
Planning for 2014 includes the completion of a range of other master plan projects, such as dredging of the access channel to -14 meters (from the current -11 meters), which will allow the access to larger vessels. At moment several minor rehabilitation and construction projects are in progress, infrastructure work such as quayside strengthening, warehouses and roads that will allow us to meet ever increasing demand.
All the above will enable the strategic target of an increase in volume to 40 million tons by 2020.
