On Sunday, 5 December 2021, a Cape size vessel, about the length of three soccer fields, sailed from Grindrod’s Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM) carrying a parcel of 147 545 tonnes of magnetite destined for China. This is the biggest shipment in the port’s history—a new record since the shipment of 121 000 tonnes in May this year.
The shipment took meticulous planning and a collaborative effort by all parties, including the customer, Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) marine services, the vessel agent, and TCM operations. It was teamwork that ensured the vessel’s successful loading and departure.
“Investment in the port and exceptional teamwork has allowed us to deliver the most efficient and cost-effective customer solution,” said Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Freight Services.
In 2017, as part of the Port Maputo channel dredging and port expansion project, the TCM berth pocket was deepened to 15.5 meters chart datum to receive and load larger vessels targeting post-Panamax vessels. During 2021, TCM started to receive Cape size vessels.