The Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, assured on Wednesday, in the city of Beira, that a solution to the problematic direct access to the port will be presented before the end of the year. The aim is to ease congestion on National Road Number Six (EN6), where queues of trucks stretching over 10 kilometers have been recorded, hindering the circulation of people and goods. Matlombe was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Africa Intermodal Conference.
The long lines that characterize the daily reality for transporters trying to access the Port of Beira via the EN6 have become a source of discomfort for users of this vital infrastructure, which plays a key role in boosting the national economy.
Aware of this issue, the Minister addressed the topic shortly after opening the Africa Intermodal Conference.
Matlombe clarified that the government’s concerns extend beyond just port access, noting significant congestion at the Machipanda border post (linking Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and the Ressano-Garcia border post (connecting Mozambique and South Africa).
“The issue of access to the Port of Beira significantly affects the quality of life in the city itself. So it’s not just a port issue—it’s a matter of how the city coexists with the port. At the moment, we are working to find solutions for the construction of an access road,” Matlombe emphasized.
He added that efforts are underway to ensure that, within the year, these border posts operate as single-stop posts—aimed primarily at reducing bureaucracy in the logistics process.
“The goal is to cut down waiting times at the border and make logistics services more efficient with less human intervention. The idea is to lower operational costs for logistics operators. That is the main objective of implementing single-stop border posts,” he explained.
Matlombe further noted, “Currently, as you can imagine, administrative and logistics processes are carried out on both the Zimbabwean and Mozambican sides.”
With the implementation of the single-stop system, “there will be an interconnection of systems so that once customs procedures are completed on the South African side, there will be no need to repeat the same process in Mozambique,” he added.
“We believe that with the efforts now underway, in coordination with interested investors and the Municipality of Beira, we will present a solution this year. The access issue is urgent. It’s not something we can continue to postpone. Fortunately, we have several partners interested in resolving the access challenge at the Port of Beira.”
Regarding the conference—which brings together experts and key players in the transport logistics chain—Matlombe highlighted its importance as one of the best platforms for exchange and cooperation in the sector across Africa.
“This dialogue will contribute significantly to strengthening the Beira Corridor as a competitive, integrated, and sustainable logistics route, thereby reinforcing cooperation with the private sector to consolidate and maximize the entire logistics value chain.”
The event, promoted by Cornelder de Moçambique, also aims to support the development of a more integrated, efficient, and resilient transport system.
“As part of its ongoing investment plan, the Government of Mozambique is pursuing an ambitious strategy to ensure the intensive rehabilitation of roads and railways in the Beira, Maputo, and Nacala corridors, along with the modernization of port infrastructure, in close partnership with the private sector.”
Source: O País
