Under the contract signed between the Maputo Port Development Company and P&O Maritime, the company to which the management and operation of the Maritime Service wasoutsourced, including pilotage tugs and mooring,a new pilot’s boat has arrived at the Maputo Port.
The vessel was inaugurated by His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Communications, Paulo Francisco Zucula, on the 9th of May. Valued in 1.2 million dollars, this boat was named Chiuta and joined the old pilot’s boat.
The Chiuta will strengthen the marine services that, since November,are under the responsibility of P&O, bringing more value on security and technology.
Unlike the old pilot boat thathas a radio and operates on a navy radio-locator, the new boat has two radios and two electronic charts. In terms of safety, it has a structure that plunges into the water to hoist injured in case of accidents and the pilot has an armband that, in case of accident, sends a signal with your exact location, allowing for aneasy rescue.
Moreover, Chiuta possesses 12 seats, 6 of which are luxury seats (with reclining chairs and shock-absorbers to decrease the impact of the waves) and a bathroom with shower.
The old pilot boat will be used as a backup and it has been refurbished with two new engines,making it operational for at least the next 10 years.
This was the first of a series of investments which P&O Maritime will be doing until the end of this year, including one more mooring boat and tug boat. The contract signed in October between MPDC and this internationalentity, has the duration of 10 years, but may be extended for anequal period. The acquisition of a new fleet of vessels and training for all staff which belonged to MPDC, are also covered under this contract
