DP World and the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) announced an investment of 164 million dollars (10.3 billion meticals) for the start of the first phase of the expansion of the Maputo container terminal, a project that aims to increase the terminal’s annual capacity from 255,000 TEU to 530,000 TEU and is expected to last two years.
According to Further Africa, the project is being carried out by Shafa Construções and the main improvements include the expansion of the container storage yard to 6.48 hectares, the addition of 400 metres of quay to reach a total of 650 metres in this phase and the deepening of the quay draft from 12 metres to 16 metres. These changes will allow the terminal to receive Panamax class ships up to 366 metres in length.
More than 700 new refrigerated outlets will also be installed, supporting the growth of agricultural exports, such as citrus products from the Limpopo region in South Africa and Massingir in Mozambique.
According to DP World’s CEO for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mohammed Akoojee, ‘DP World has been operating in Mozambique for more than 20 years, helping to position the country as a vital regional trade centre. This investment will transform maritime transport on the east coast of Africa and reinforce Mozambique’s role as a key cargo gateway.’
Sumeet Bhardwaj, managing director of DP World Maputo, described the expansion as an important milestone: ‘We are building a terminal to meet future demands, increasing efficiency, reducing costs and promoting trade opportunities in the region.’
MPDC’s CEO, Osório Lucas, emphasised the wider strategic impact, pointing out: ‘This project is the first major step towards strengthening the Port of Maputo’s role as a leading logistics platform in southern Africa. It will increase competitiveness, modernise operations and make freight rates more favourable for Mozambican exporters.’
The upgraded terminal, with its improved capacity and deeper quay, will position Maputo as one of the preferred transhipment hubs in the region by 2026. The investment is expected to boost mineral and agricultural exports, reduce logistics costs and create new job opportunities in the country.
