Multinational DP World has begun work on expanding the container terminal at the Port of Maputo, with an investment of over US$160 million (10.6 billion meticals). The project aims to double cargo handling capacity and position Mozambique as a leading logistics hub in Southern Africa.
The initiative will increase the terminal’s annual capacity from 255,000 to 530,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), with the expansion of the yard by 6.48 hectares, the extension of the quay from 308 to 650 metres and the increase in depth from 12 to 16 metres, which will allow large ships to dock.
‘This expansion represents our commitment to contributing to Mozambique’s economic growth, in close collaboration with the government and partners of the Maputo Port Development Company,’ said Mohammed Akoojee, DP World’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The project includes the acquisition of new modern equipment, such as three quay gantry cranes capable of operating post-Panamax ships, as well as a reinforced fleet of mobile cranes on tyres. Refrigerated container capacity will also be expanded from 450 to 715 connections, a significant boost for the export of Mozambican agricultural products.
The modernisation also involves a significant technological investment, with the automation of the terminal’s entry facilities through optical character recognition systems, which will streamline the registration of containers and vehicles, reduce transaction times and minimise operational errors.
The terminal management system will be improved, an electronic vehicle booking system will be introduced and the port’s community platform will be digitised, facilitating integration between logistics operators, customs authorities, banks and shipping lines.
According to Captain Sumeet Bhardwaj, executive director of DP World Maputo, ‘the increased capacity will enable faster response times and more competitive rates, which will attract more vessels to the Port of Maputo.’
The project also envisages the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, with the construction of support infrastructure for new staff, improved security conditions with state-of-the-art video surveillance systems and specialised technical training to ensure a skilled local workforce.
According to DP World, the expansion of the terminal will reduce logistics costs, provide faster access to international markets and boost local value chains, benefiting Mozambican farmers, industrialists and exporters, as well as landlocked countries in Southern Africa.
Source: Engineering News
