Port Overview

The port of Maputo is the largest port in Mozambique, connected to an extensive rail and road network. It serves the Mozambique provinces of Maputo and Gaza and offers a short and viable access route for import and export cargoes from South Africa (Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces mainly), Swaziland, Zimbabwe (Matabeleland) and Botswana. More than 80% of handled cargo is in transit to/from neighbouring countries.

In total, the port has 16 linear berths totalling approximately 4,000 metres.

A renewable 25-year concession to manage and develop the port was awarded to an international port management consortium (Portus Indico), which subsequently formed a Mozambican joint venture with CFM – the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC).

The approach channels have recently been restored to design depth and continuous 24/7 port operations have been established. Vessels have a choice of two channels (North or South) to reach the Pilot Station at Buoy 6. Using the South Channel saves about 11 miles for vessels arriving from the South, but this channel is subject to strong tidal sets. Pilotage through the Xefina and Polana channels into the berths is compulsory from Buoy 6.

There are two main components to the port, the Maputo Cargo Terminals, which include the container, bulk minerals, citrus, sugar and molasses terminals and, 6 km further upriver, the Matola Bulk Terminals with four deep-water berths for handling coal, fuel and lubricants, aluminium and grains.

Port website: http://www.cfm.co.mz/index.php/en/infraestruturas/cfm-south/port-of-maputo

http://www.portmaputo.com/

Key port information may also be found at http://ports.com/mozambique/port-of-maputo/

http://ports.com/mozambique/port-of-matola/

http://www.maritime-database.com/port.php?pid=2291

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.3 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance

The Maputo Port’s access channel has a length of 48 Nautical Miles that enables MSD of 14.40m (with neap tides) or 15.50m (with spring tides).
Maximum LOA vessels depend on the category, but presently due to quay length and design drafts alongside, 300m is the acceptable size.
With the construction of Maputo-Katembe Bridge, limitations in air draft for all vessels is 62.50m.
Waiting time also depends on the type of vessel: 2-4 hours for containers and 12-24 hours for other types. Vessels with cargo for internal consumption, such as rice, wheat, frozen fish, fuel, etc. are given priority, as well as humanitarian cargo.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following document: Maputo Port Tariffs.

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

Port equipment is owned by MPDC or by its sub-concessions within its terminals, e.g. container terminal, bulk sugar terminal, grain terminal, vegetable oils terminal, molasses terminal.

Fleet availability is about 85% and usually maintained by the appropriate agents of each manufacturer.

A third mobile crane has been purchased, which could trim a day off vessel berthing times.

Container Facilities

Customs Guidance

Customs regulations in Mozambique combine SADC regional integration requirements with existing local procedures, depending on the cargo being cleared. Principal legislation, contacts and other useful customs-related information is available from the Mozambican Customs Authority (www.alfandegas.gov.mz)

The process of application for exemption of duties comprises following steps:

• Accreditation and licensing to operate in Mozambique with special diplomatic status for duty free imports.
• Before the arrival of the cargo submission of:
  Commercial invoice
  Packing List
  Application to Customs with justification for exemption
• Customs clears the goods that can be exempted from duties, through the JUE (“Janela Única Eletrónica” or Electronic Single Window).
• For the submission to JUE, the following is required:
  Commercial invoice
  Transport document (original)
  Packing List
  Customs clearance document
• JUE issues a notice of payment (AP).
• Deduction of import duties at JUE:
• The AP is taken physically to Tax Department to apply respective deduction of the value of the import duties.
• Once this step is finalized, the customs clearance process can be completed.

For more information on customs in Mozambique, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

The MICD terminal comprises a warehouse with 8,000m², container yard for 2,500 TEUs empties and 300 TEUs full and 8,000 m² open storage for bulk packing slab. The terminal offers a wide variety of container related services:

• Container storage
• Container inspections
• Cleaning of containers
• Light container repairs
• Pre-trip inspections on reefer containers
• Receiving bulk cargoes and pack into containers
• Receiving and warehousing of unitised cargoes for packing into containers
• De-stuffing of containers, warehousing of cargo and loading onto road vehicles
• Warehouse approved by PPECB for ambient packing of fruits

The port has general cargo berth with two Ro-Ro access ramp points (263 and 285m berth length respectively).

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

The bulk grain terminal at MPDC, operated by MGT, is comprised of 5 silos with 5,000 tons capacity each. The annual handling capacity is 200,000 tons. Kemmie is responsible for bagging and direct bagging from ship discharge.

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

Stevedoring

The following companies perform stevedoring activities in the port of Maputo:

RGB – https://www.freightnet.com/profile/154340.htm/

Manica Moçambique – http://www.manica.co.mz/

Unidos Serviços

Mozport Maputo – http://www.supermaritime.com/offices/maputo/

Hinterland Information

The main customers of the port of Maputo are from neighbouring countries and make use of the following three railway lines:

• Ressano Garcia Line to the South Africa border (88 km). There is a partial concession for iron ore traffic with Transnet.
• Goba Line to the Swaziland border (71 km). Operated by CFM Sul.
• Limpopo Line to the Zimbabwe border (522 km). Operated by CFM Sul.

The road connection to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland is in good condition. However, road traffic to Zimbabwe and Botswana still transits mainly through South Africa at present.

The road network that links the port with the Provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane is also paved and in reasonably good condition.

Port Security