Maputo port invests US$ 800 million in increasing efficiency

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Maputo port invests US$ 800 million in increasing efficiency

12:06 CAT | 05 Jul 2017

Courtesy of Maputo port

The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has invested US 800 million since 2003 in increasing the capacity and efficiency of the project, which currently handles 40 million tons of cargo a year, chief executive officer Osório Lucas said on Monday.

Speaking at a Standard Bank conference about the importance of infrastructure in the Mozambican economy, Lucas said that the Port of Maputo now has the capacity to receive ships of 85,000 tons, dredging works on the access channel having increased its depth to 14.3 metres.

“As a consequence of the work being done, Maputo port is now in a position to compete both at the Southern Africa level and internationally,” Lucas said.

The MPDC CEO said that the company had focused on increasing the handling capacity and efficiency of Maputo Port, even in the worst phase of the country’s recent economic crisis.

“It is possible to invest in times of crisis, as demonstrated by the commitment to increase the capacity of the port,” Lucas said.

The increased performance of Maputo Port, he continued, reinforced the status of the venture as an important asset for the Mozambican economy.

“Since we took over the infrastructure, we have raised US$150 million from the concession fee alone, and we are among the largest contributors to state revenues,” Lucas noted.

According to Lucas, the profitability of the Mozambique port is subject to the competitiveness of factors that influence operating costs, such as roads and human resources.

Lucas pointed to the raising of toll rates on the road between Mozambique and South Africa as a measure which would affect freight transport, and may reduce the use of Mozambican ports.

“We have to be more efficient, so that our infrastructure is attractive in Southern Africa and in the world,” he added.

Source: Lusa