The expansion of the container terminal at the port of Maputo, which began this week, will cost 164 million dollars (156 million euros), will increase the quay to 650 meters and will receive ships of up to 366 meters.
According to a joint statement from DP World and concessionaire Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Porto de Maputo (MPDC), work on the first phase of the expansion works began on Monday and will take place over two years, including the expansion of the container storage yard. for 6.48 hectares and the construction of an additional 400 meters of quay, bringing the total to 650 meters at this stage.
The expansion also involves deepening the quay draft from -12 meters to -16 meters, allowing the terminal to accommodate new post-Panamax class vessels up to 366 meters in overall length.
The concessionaire adds that the works mark the beginning of "the first phase of an ambitious plan to increase the terminal's capacity", from the current 255,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to 530,000 TEUs per year.
In addition, he says, more than 700 sockets will be installed for refrigerated containers, to boost the growth of agricultural exports, "particularly citrus fruits from Limpopo, in South Africa, and Massingir, in Mozambique".
"For more than 20 years, DP World [MPDC shareholder] has operated proudly in Mozambique, which has become a vital hub for regional trade. Our ongoing investments will bring substantial value, changing the landscape of coastal shipping." East Africa, and reinforcing Mozambique's position as a key gateway for cargo movement across the region," said Mohammed Akoojee, DP World's managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, quoted in the statement.
MPDC's executive director, Osório Lucas, states that the expansion of the container terminal "is the first major milestone in the strategic vision for the future of the Port", also representing "a significant step in strengthening the position of the Port of Maputo as a a leading logistics platform in southern Africa."
According to the concessionaire, the deepening of the quay and the expansion of the infrastructure will allow the port of the Mozambican capital to receive larger ships, "gaining competitiveness in the region and positioning Maputo as an ideal transshipment hub in the region by 2026".
"This modernization will not only increase the terminal's operational efficiency but will also make freight rates more competitive, directly benefiting Mozambican exporters and logistics operators," the company emphasizes, ensuring that it will also allow for the reinforcement of mineral and agricultural exports, the reduction of logistical costs and the generation of new direct and indirect jobs.
The concession of the port of Maputo to MPDC will be valid until April 13, 2058, according to the terms of the addendum to the contract, approved by decree of the Mozambican Government published in April, and the concessionaire plans to invest 600 million dollars (R$) in the first three years. $571 million) in expanding port infrastructure.
MPDC is a private Mozambican company that resulted from the partnership between CFM and Portus Indico, the latter consisting of Grindrod, DP World and the company Mozambique Gestores.
