A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the 3rd of June between Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the Maputo Ports Development Company (MPDC) that will pave the way for co-operation between the two port authorities.
“The MoU opens up collaboration on matters of common interest in areas of infrastructure development, engineering, training and marine services. Contrary to popular belief TNPA and the MPDC are not competitors and the agreement will open up opportunities for a closer working relationship and sharing of knowledge,” said TNPA’s Chief Executive Tau Morwe.
“I am ecstatic about the signing of the MoU today which, through co-operation has the intention of fostering competitiveness and growth and the realisation of the MPDC’s vision of propelling the region forward,” said Osorio Lucas, Chief Executive: MPDC.
“It is an important step toward fostering greater intra-regional co-operation which is a key priority of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).”
Regional integration is in line with Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy that among its imperatives calls for a review of the state owned entity’s role in the development of the North-South logistics corridor.
“We believe that in a spirit of co-operation we can be exponentially more efficient and play a key role in lifting intra-regional trade within the SADC region from its current level of 12%. What we can achieve remains to be seen, but we should aspire to achieve the figures of other leading regional economic communities such as those of Asia and Europe where intra-regional trade is in the region of 60%,” said Morwe.
The signing of the MoU is the formalisation of discussions that have been developed through extensive bilateral talks and visits over an extended period of time.
Other areas of collaboration include assistance with the unbundling of the MPDC into Port Authority and Port Operations, the transition of cargo from road to rail, nautical matters.
“In reality it means that the MPDC can access the capacity and expertise of TNPA at a lower cost than that of European or Eastern ports. For example the TNPA dredging services are ready to provide maintenance and capital dredging of the Port of Maputo. The Maritime School of Excellence, a leader in marine training on the continent, is available for technical and maritime training as is our port planning and engineering expertise and Safety, Health and Quality (SHEQ) expertise,” said Morwe.
It also means that TNPA can access the expertise of the MPDC which it can apply to its ports. An example is that of ore dust control at the Port of Maputo which TNPA is looking to implement at the Port of Saldanha.
