Mozambique: Nacala port handles record volume of cargo in 2023 after upgrade

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Mozambique: Nacala port handles record volume of cargo in 2023 after upgrade

4:14 CAT | 26 Jan 2024

File photo: Macauhub

The volume of cargo handled at the Port of Nacala, the “heart” of the Mozambican province of Nampula, reached record levels in 2023, following the rehabilitation and modernization of infrastructure, the entity’s director says.

“In 2023, we handled 3.1 million tons, which is a record ever handled at the Port of Nacala. In 2022, the volume of cargo handled was 2.7 million (…) This amount represents 103% of what was the plan for 2023 and around 12.5% above what we achieved in 2022,” Port of Nacala director Naimo Induna declared in an interview with Lusa.

The modernization and rehabilitation of the three post terminals, economically classified as the “heart” of Nampula province in northern Mozambique, opens up new perspectives in the midst of an increase in the number of regional operators seeking alternatives in the country in the face of pressure on Durban and Richards Bay in neighbouring South Africa, according to the Mozambican executive.

After undergoing refurbishment and currently operating at full capacity, the Port of Nacala now has the capacity to handle 10 million tons of cargo per year, Naimo Induna pointed out, highlighting Nacala’s “privileged” geographic location to “feed” the Middle Eastern and Asian markets.

“Allied to this geostrategic position is the fact that the port has a protected natural bay and, even more so, has great natural water depth. The access channel is around 60 metres deep and 800 metres wide. Therefore, this means that the port does not have any limitation on receiving ships 24 hours a day,” he added.

Despite its potential as a Mozambique alternative on the Indian coast of Southern Africa, challenges remain. More roads and railways are needed, especially to better serve countries in the region without direct access to the sea, as the government admits.

“We want to ensure that the Port of Nacala becomes the main port for other ‘hinterland’ countries, such as some regions of Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Induna declared.

The rehabilitation of Nacala port, inaugurated in October by the Mozambican head of state, Filipe Nyusi, cost more than €250 million, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The public company Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM) began managing the Port of Nacala in January 2020, when the concession to the Northern Development Corridor (CDN), which had operated the port since 2005, ended.

Source: Lusa