Port Overview

Quelimane is a small seaport 12.2 nautical miles up the Cuácua River (ex-Bons Sinais). It is a short and convenient route for the export of regional agricultural crops from the Province of Zambézia, such as rice, cotton and forestry products. With the decline of production during the civil war late last century, the exports almost came to a halt and the port fell into decline. However, following the end of the war and the concession to Cornelder Mozambique in 2004, the port underwent a rehabilitation programme that included a new concrete quay of 230 m long, and is now in good operational conditions. The Government and Cornelder agreed in December 2017 to end the concession agreement and the port management returned to Mozambique Ports and Railways Administration (CFM).

The electric power supply is stable; notwithstanding, a 250 KVA generator ensures power supply at all times, mainly for the cold chain installations and the security lighting along the security fence that surrounds the port area.

The port area borders a freight railway station with two warehouses in reasonable condition.

The road network that leads to Quelimane is mostly paved to the South (Caia), to the North (Mocuba and further to Nampula and Nacala), and to the West (Milange at the border with Malawi).

Quelimane is also connected to the Zambezi River by inland waterways used by Sena Sugar Factory at Marromeu, with barges for sugar exports through Quelimane. Sena Sugar has a pontoon crane with a capacity of 25 mt at the port to discharge these barges.

Port website:

http://www.cfm.co.mz/index.php/en/infraestruturas/cfm-center/port-of-quelimane

Key port information may also be found at:

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

https://www.searates.com/port/quelimane_mz.htm

http://www.maritime-database.com/port.php?pid=2323

http://www.findaport.com/port-of-quelimane

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

CFM Centro, Zambézia Delegation, manages the port.

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

Port Performance

The channel draft is 4.9 - 6.1 m (tidal) and the maximum vessel size is 150 m in length. The port is not congested and priority to humanitarian cargo is easily negotiable. The major limitation of the port is the access channel draft.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following links: (OBS: Cornelder Tariff Book includes all except maritime services, which are included in the CFM Port Tariffs)

http://www.cornelder.co.mz/tarrifs/tariffs.html#

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

CFM Centro, Zambézia Delegation, manages the port equipment.

Container Facilities

The container facilities are very basic.

Customs Guidance

Customs regulations follow SADC regional integration requirements combined with existing local procedures depending on the cargo being cleared. Principal legislation, contacts and other useful customs-related information are 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 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

n/a

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

n/a

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

Stevedoring

Stevedoring is provided by CFM using port equipment and casual labour recruited on a daily basis.

Hinterland Information

The cargo is moved to and from the port by road. The road network that serves the port of Quelimane is mostly paved to the South (Caia), to the North (Mocuba and further to Nampula and Nacala), and to the west (Milange at the border with Malawi).

Quelimane is also connected to the Zambezi River by inland waterways used by Sena Sugar Factory at Marromeu, with barges for sugar exports through Quelimane.

Port Security

Besides the security guards, a security fence surrounds the port area, illuminated at night with security lighting along the fence. In order to ensure 24-hour power supply, the port has a 250 KVA stand-by generator.