Mozambique: Mapping of cargo could enable coastal shipping

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Mozambique: Mapping of cargo could enable coastal shipping

9:27 CAT | 25 Dec 2024

File photo: Noticias

Conducting detailed studies on the origin of products and their respective points of consumption could be crucial for the sustainability of investments in coastal shipping, according to the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala.

Coastal shipping refers to maritime transportation of goods between ports within the same country via routes along the coast, contributing to the sustainability of domestic trade.

Speaking at an event organized by the private sector, the minister explained that Mozambique has a favorable environment for the growth of coastal shipping, given that many parts of the country are practically inaccessible by train or car.

If this activity achieves its intended potential, its only competitor would be air transport, which currently serves as the most efficient means of connecting the country without significant constraints.

“The main issue with coastal shipping is that a ship departs fully loaded from Maputo to Beira but returns to the starting point without any cargo. Naturally, this results in high costs, making the activity uncompetitive. However, if we map all the cargo in Mozambique and identify its origin and destination, it would provide a major incentive for the private sector to invest in this transport segment,” he stated.

The Minister of Transport and Communications also emphasized that the development of coastal shipping should not be seen as an exclusive responsibility of the government but primarily of the private sector, as it is a commercial activity. “There are some companies investing in this area. One is based in Mocímboa da Praia (Cabo Delgado), but it is not yet operating at the scale we envision,” he noted with concern.

From another perspective, Minister Magala acknowledged that, in addition to mapping the origin and destination of products, there is also a need to invest in the construction of more infrastructure, including warehouses.

Source: Noticias