Chromium transportation on EN4 rises to 800 trucks a day

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Chromium transportation on EN4 rises to 800 trucks a day

4:23 CAT | 05 Dec 2019

File photo: Noticias

The number of heavy-duty trucks carrying chromium along National Road Number Four (EN4) from South Africa to Maputo Port has increased from 500 to 800 a day since last November.

The trucks for long queues on the EN4, blocking traffic and putting road safety at risk.

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The Mozambican Tax Authority (TA) has told ‘O País’ that the increase in the number of trucks is the result of a decision by South African authorities to temporarily stop the transport of a part of the chromium by rail.

TA spokesman Felisberto Tinga acknowledged the seriousness of the situation on the EN4, and says that work is already under way to reverse the scenario, especially at Kilometre Four (KM 4), where vehicles are queuing up in a line which reaches up to 10 kilometres in length.

“We have seen an increase in the number of trucks because part of the freight that was previously carried by train is now going by road. We also have indications that there is a newly opened chromium ore mine in South Africa, which is contributing to the increased traffic. We have gone from 500 to 800 trucks travelling daily along the EN4 to the Port of Maputo,” Tinga said.

Last November, a delegation from the Tax Authority met South African authorities to study strategies for easing vehicle traffic, particularly lorries, between the two border posts – Ressano Garcia, on the Mozambican side, and Lebombo in South Africa.

According to Tinga, one solution to the problem on the Mozambican side is the creation of a transit sector at KM4, with officials dedicated to regulating chromium traffic. Another measure involves trucks using the Khudumba Company carpark while undergoing customs clearance procedures.

Source: Noticias