Mozambique: Nacala Port reaches historic peak in container handling

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Mozambique: Nacala Port reaches historic peak in container handling

11:17 CAT | 26 Dec 2024

File photo: Noticias

For the first time, after undergoing rehabilitation, expansion, and modernization, the Port of Nacala, in Nampula province, achieved a historic milestone in December by handling a volume of 100,000 containers, both domestic and in transit to and from neighboring countries, as well as new markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

“In December 2024, we achieved, for the first time, a historic milestone of 100,000 containers handled (loaded and unloaded). This is a historic peak for container handling at Nacala Port,” said Augusto Abudo, Executive Director of the Northern Division of Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM), in recent days.

This total, he added, represents 100% compliance with the 2024 plan for monthly and annual production across the three terminals that make up the Nacala rail-port complex: the container terminal, the general cargo terminal, and the bulk and liquid terminal. From January to December 2024, Nacala Port achieved an overall performance rate of 95.8%. In total, the port transported 1,423,804 tons of various products, including sesame, sisal, cotton, semi-precious stones, scrap metal, and eucalyptus leaves, to and from European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and American countries.

“This is undoubtedly a historic milestone for Nacala Port’s production since its inauguration on October 7, 2024, by the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, during a ceremony attended by the Presidents of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, and Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, as well as Japan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hosaka Yasushi.”

The success of Nacala’s rail-port operations is attributed to several factors, particularly the completion of modernization and expansion works on its three terminals. These works increased the capacity for ship docking, with the quay now measuring 400 meters in length and the access channel reaching a depth of 14 meters.

In addition to these factors, the modernization and expansion of the infrastructure—economically classified as the heart of Nampula province—also opened new markets in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Nacala Port’s strategic geographic position is further enhanced by its naturally protected bay and deep natural waters. The access channel has a depth of around 60 meters and a width of 800 meters, allowing it to receive ships 24 hours a day without restrictions.

“Since its inauguration, Nacala Port now has a quay exclusively for container ships, two new shipping lines (UAFL and COSCO Shipping), and new equipment for handling containerized cargo, including 2 QGCs, 1 BRTG, 7 Reachstackers, and 12 internal trucks,” said Augusto Abudo.

The adoption of the TOS (Octopi) system provided by NAVIS 4 for operational management and the introduction of transshipment operations through Nacala, with routes from Maputo to Comoros, Madagascar, and Mauritius, have also contributed to meeting these targets.

During the inauguration of the Nacala rail-port complex on October 7, 2023, President Nyusi highlighted that the infrastructure provides maritime access to Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa, and Botswana. This access is expected to have a direct impact on socioeconomic development, including promoting international trade, boosting the productive sector, and creating employment opportunities.

Source: Noticias