Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), announced this week that 21 million tons of cargo were handled by the Port in 2019, breaking the 2018 record of 19.5 million tons. This 8% growth is mainly due to the chrome and magnetite handling and substantial growth in container handling.
30% of cargo handled in the Port was chrome, of which 80% was transported to the Port by road. The Mozambican rail company CFM, South-African rail company TFR and the Port of Maputo continue to work together to pave the way for an improved rail handling efficiency and a more balanced ratio between road and rail.
The container terminal expansion and an aggressive marketing strategy contributed to the considerable growth of 53% in container traffic, handling 162 000 TEUs.
Prospects in 2020, for additional growth and increased efficiency in cargo handling, are good on the back of the completion of the berth rehabilitation project (first phase to be delivered in May 2020 and second phase in July 2020). The rehabilitation will not only create berths with a draft of up to -16 meters, but it will improve the occupancy rate of berths by creating a larger mooring area. It is important to note that engineering interns and young students had the opportunity to actively participate in all stages of the berth rehabilitation project as well as on the maintenance channel dredging, both initiated in the last quarter of 2019.
The acquisition of new handling equipment such as the two new mobile harbour cranes, payloaders, tractors, rail excavators, etc. contributed to the 2019 bulk cargo handling results. Paired with this, the Port made progress in introducing innovation by implementing automated systems and a complete training centre (with simulators), which are already contributing to improving operational efficiencies and safety.
Last year was also marked by the launch of an inclusive employment project, Porto+. The project employed 15 people with disabilities. This positively influenced other Mozambican companies to consider implementing similar projects. The Port of Maputo was also involved in projects such as INOVA-TE (a competition for innovation involving IT students) and the requalification of Maputo’s downtown.