The dredging of the access channel to the Port of Maputo, from -11 metres, to accommodate ves- sels with a sailing draft of up to 14.2 meters on the tide, commenced in May and one million cubic metres of material had been dredged by the end of June.
The first of three dredgers mobilised by Jan de Nul Dredging Middle East FZE, the contractor that is performing the operation, arrived in the Port on 20 May.
It is estimated that 12 million cubic metres will be dredged from the channel. On completion, the dredging project will facilitate access for ships of up to 80,000 tons, making Maputo Port more com- petitive.
Several dredgers and supporting equipment are being used. De Lapérouse, a trailing suction hopper dredger, is currently working 24/7 to en- sure a fast and efficient production cycle. A big- ger suction hopper dredger, HAM 310, arrived in June, Other equipment being used by Jan de Nul includes split hoppers, a surveying boat, a crew boat and a multitasking boat.
Dredging the channel is one of a range of projects embarked upon by MPDC and various terminal op- erators within the Port of Maputo recently, includ- ing the expansion of the ferrochrome terminal, new grain terminal, the expansion of the container terminal and rehabilitation of berths 3, 4 and 5.