Port of Maputo invests in 2 new mobile harbour cranes

Feb 11, 2019: Port of Maputo has acquired two new mobile harbour cranes to improve productivity, responding to the growing demand, especially for bulk minerals.

"In addition to the two mobile harbour cranes, we have recently acquired 14 payloaders, 8 tractors, 8 forklifts and 2 rail excavators (for wagon unloading operations). This investment is in line with the need to improve the berth usage and the rehabilitation and deepening works that are taking place at the moment," said Marla Calado, chief operations officer at Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC).

The acquisition of this new equipment represents a total investment of about $19 million. The new fleet which is larger and more modern will allow higher production rates to be achieved, given the large vessels (capesize ships) that have been calling the port more frequently since the dredging of the access channel completed in January 2017.

"Our turnaround times have been improving (and are often faster than in the region). We believe this new equipment will enable us to further increase our operational efficiency, our competitiveness and our volumes in terms of cargo handling," explained Calado.

The investment in equipment also includes the training of several operators and technicians for the handling and maintenance of the new machines, as well as the maintenance contracts with the manufacturer, which will guarantee greater reliability and availability of the equipment.

In 2019, the port expects to increase its handling capacity with the completion of the rehabilitation works of berths 6, 7, 8 and 9. The rehabilitation will not only create berths with a depth of up to -15 metres, but will improve the occupancy rate of the berths by creating a larger mooring area. The completion of the works is scheduled for the last quarter of this year.

MPDC is the partnership between the Mozambican Railway Company and Portus Indico, comprised by Grindrod, DP World and local company Mozambique Gestores. MPDC in April 2003 was given the concession of Maputo's Port for a period of 15 years, with an extension option. In June 2010, the concession period was further extended for another 15 years, with an option of an additional ten years of operations after 2033.