The volumes handled by the Port of Maputo during 2020 decreased by 13% in comparison with 2019, handling 18.3 million tons compared with the 21 million tons throughput of the previous year. This decrease is mainly related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to prevent the spread, such as the border closure and the South-African full lockdown between March and April 2020 and the border operation restrictions that were felt thereafter.
On the other hand, the rail volumes for chrome and ferro-chrome registered a remarkable increase of 33% in comparison with 2019. Building on the growing tendency see in recent years – a reflection of the efficiency measures that have been taken by the Port of Maputo and rail operators CFM and Transnet over the last couple of years – the pandemic has given a further positive push for the migration of chrome and ferro-chrome bulk cargo from road to rail. The road vs. rail ratio has grown from 20% in 2019 to 25% of total volumes in 2020.
In spite of the decrease in total volumes handled, MPDC gives full support to the measures taken to contain the pandemic. “One of our main company values is Human Life, and we strongly believe in taking care of our staff and fellow compatriots. The battle against the pandemic is one that needs to be fought by all of us,” affirmed Osório Lucas, Chief Executive Officer at MPDC.
“Although our volumes slightly decreased and we had to implement financial contingency measures, we kept our promise to invest in expanding and improving the port’s infrastructure,” he added. Such investment was made during 2020 in the berth rehabilitation project, the berths deepening of up to -16 metres, the expansion of bulk minerals slabs and the investment in rail capacity. All these projects are currently in the conclusion phase and will be delivered before the third quarter of 2021.
Source: MPDC