Mozambique port progress

Portos do Norte has managed the port since March 2013 when it took over from previous concessionaire, Corredor de Desenvolvimento do Norte (CDN).

The new operator has already achieved a cargo increase of around 40% (45,000 teu), which is 22% up on last year. It’s anticipating its largest ever throughput this year surpassing the million tonnes moved mark.

Elsa Silindane, Portos do Norte, told Port Strategy that there is still much work to be done. But it’s clear that the new operator is already making really good progress and it looks set to be used as a benchmark to improve port logistics in the country.

Ms Silindane said that the increases have largely been achieved by increasing efficiency. For example, maximum dwell times of trucks have been reduced significantly. Trucks used to take five minutes or more to rotate gate-in and gate-out, but this now takes less than two minutes which has improved production considerably.

“The next step is to put in operation a new electronic management system for the container terminal and make more equipment available for operation. Portos do Norte’s vision is to be the logistics chain port of reference on the East African Coast”, she added.

Container movements have also been increased from 13% to 35%, which represents a good pace of handling and puts the port in good stead for the future.