Mozambique: Electronic cargo tracking system rolls out nationwide

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Mozambique: Electronic cargo tracking system rolls out nationwide

3:54 CAT | 22 Mar 2021

Beira port on Sunday, at the official launch of the tracking system [Photo: Conselho Executivo Provincial de Sofala]

The Electronic Cargo Sealing and Tracking System (SEERC) for goods in transit in Mozambique has officially started operating after a pilot phase since December, the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) said on Monday.

The new system goes live after 55,780 vehicles were tracked during the pilot phase, according to figures the tax authority published this Monday in daily newspaper Notícias.

Atpic — *Tax Authority president at the launch on Sunday, in Beira port. [Photo: Conselho Executivo Provincial de Sofala]*

The pilot phase covered the three main Mozambican transit corridors that link the ports of Maputo, Beira and Nacala to Southern African countries.

Supervision will also be stepped up with 300 support vehicles, the agency added.

The system aims to combat smuggling by sealing and geolocation of road goods.

Permanent tracking of sealed cargo (in containers, bulk or tankers) is carried out by a central office in communication with mobile brigades of the Mozambican Customs service and other authorities.

At the same time, inspection equipment and surveillance resources were reinforced at the Ressano Garcia, Namaacha, Goba, Machipanda, Calomue, Zobué, Cassacatiza and Milange borders crossings.

The design, implementation and operation of the system was awarded to Mozambique Electronic Cargo Tracking Services (MECTS), a Mozambican company with Chinese state security inspection products company Nuctech as its technology partner.

According to the company, the electronic sealing system can also be used on the railways and allows the government authorities and operators in the logistics and transport value chain (from banks to shipping agents) to mitigate the risks of smuggling, tax evasion, theft or looting of goods.

According to the tax authority, Mozambique has lost tax revenues of around 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP stood at around €13 billion in 2019) in the last five years.

In addition to combating smuggling, the tax authority hopes that the new system will serve to streamline customs procedures and improve business environment.

Source: Lusa