Infrastructure

Major investment in Maputo port

28 Apr, 2013

The port of Maputo is to receive an investment of around US$400 million to improve facilities in response to the increasing amount of cargo processed at the port.

The works are being carried out on the occasion of the port's 110th anniversary and will be used for purchasing new equipment to reduce the time required to unload cargo, which last year totalled 15 million tons.

The investment is part of a projected $1.7 billion package being invested in the port over the next five years by its management company Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Porto de Maputo (MPDC).

The money will be used to develop the port's infrastructure and increase its cargo capacity, which by 2020 should be at 40 million tons.

In 2013 the MPDC expects to process 18 million tons, representing an increase of 11 million tons from five years ago in 2008 when the port handled 7 million tons.

Some 80 per cent of the port's cargo comes from South Africa.