Page 11 - Manual e Directório do Porto de Maputo / Port of Maputo Handbook & Directory

da África do Sul, sobre formas de aumentar a capacidade das ligações ferroviárias que unem os dois países, com base nos actuais 13,9 milhões de toneladas por ano.Though bulk chrome remains the main traffic focus, diversifica on is an essen al component of the port’s plans going forward. In essence, South Africa supplies, China buys, and the Port of Maputo is the vital transport node in that deal.Embora o crómio a granel permaneça o principal foco do tráfego, a diversificação é um componente essencial dos planos do porto para o futuro. Essencialmente, a África do Sul abastece, a China compra e o Porto de Maputo é o nó vital desse acordo. Tal é rentável nos bons tempos, mas torna o porto vulnerável caso a oferta ou a procura se ex ngam.“A diversificação em termos de mercado geral e de commodi es é essencial”, Osório Lucas concorda. “A variedade é a força vital de qualquer negócio.”Os novos fluxos de receita a serem explorados incluem o crescimento do negócio de contentores em Maputo, par cularmente no que se refere a alimentos. As exportaçõesOVERVIEWimprovements will boost our volumes s ll higher. The port approach channel has been dredged from 11 metres to a depth of 14.3 metres – those extra three metres meaning we can receive fully-laden Panamax/Baby Cape- sized vessels up to 14.5 metre dra on neap des and 15.5 metre dra on spring des.“Our two Liebherr mobile cranes have pushed produc vity to record levels and the equipment fleet is undergoing constant renewal,” he con nues. “In addi on, the next phase of berth rehabilita on is now underway and digi sa on is gradually being rolled-out across the port.”For MPDC, the next stage is to rebalance how its cargo volumes arrive at the port gate. Although primarily a bulk port, some 80% of Maputo’s traffic s ll moves by truck – neither the most efficient nor environmentally-friendly way to transport cargo.If MPDC is to achieve its traffic target of more than 20 million tonnes annually by 2020, rising to an ambi ous 30 million tonnes by 2033, greater use of rail via the Maputo Corridor is essen al. There is simply not enough road capacity to sustainably move the volumes required.To support that switch, MPDC is already working with the rail operators, CFM - Mozambique Port and Railways and South Africa’s Transnet Freight Rail, on ways to increase capacity on the rail links connec ng the two countries from the current 13.9 million tonnes a year.Though bulk chrome remains the main traffic focus, diversifica on is an essen al component of the port’s plans going forward. In essence, South Africa supplies, China buys, and the Port of Maputo is the vital node in that deal. That is profitable in good mes but does make the port vulnerable should supply or demand dry up.“Diversifica on in both markets and commodi es is vital,” agrees Mr. Lucas. “Variety is the lifeblood of any business.”The new revenue streams being explored include growing Maputo’s container business, par cularly in regard to foodstuffs. Domes c agri-business exports are also seen as another excellent fit for the port.Perhaps the greatest development, however, will be unleashing the opportuni es created through MPDC’s human resources. The company has an excellent management structure in place and the age and educa onal profile of the workforce has changed enormously in the last few years.Port of Maputo Handbook & Directory 2018 | 2019 9DP World