PORT MAPUTO CELEBRATES

25 July 2003

Four months after being handed over to the private sector, the investment and rehabilitation programmes for Port Maputo are in full swing.

Alec Don, CEO of MPDC, thanking Graça Machel and Luisa Diogo, Minister of Planning and Finance, who named the ´Xefina´ and ´Polana´ harbour tugs

Today, in a colourful ceremony at the port, the latest fruits of MPDC´s capital investment programme, two harbour tugs representing an investment of 4 milllion USD, were named by Graça Machel and Her Excellency the Minister of Planning and Finance for Mozambique, Mrs. Luisa Diogo.

Addressing a large audience of port and shipping guests from throughout the region Graça Machel emphasised the powerful economic links being forged between Mozambique and South Africa brought about by future development of the Maputo Corridor and increasing cross-border trade.

Luisa Diogo, Minister of Planning and Finance, said that she felt confident with the inherent strength of the new public-private partnership out of which MPDC had grown and that this strong bond was the corner-stone for successful development of the port.

The day’s festivities started at dawn with a traditional Mhamba ceremony, when senior representatives of the Fumo family introduced the new port operator to their tribal ancestors and asked for their blessings.

The Tug Naming Ceremony took place at Berth 15, after which Tomas Salomão, Minister of Transport and Communications, proposed a toast to the success of MPDC and spoke of his fervent hope that the development of the Maputo Corridor will bring economic growth to the region and prosperity to the people.

Commenting on the day’s events, Alec Don, CEO of MPDC, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome into the port today many friends and colleagues who have steadfastly worked to make the MPDC port concession a reality.

The formation of MPDC itself has involved companies and institutions from over 8 different countries and the realization of the Port project is but one component of the Maputo Development Corridor, which concept is entirely about transnational trade and the creation of strong trading links between countries and between people.

The pace of change within the port is accelerating rapidly with several further substantial civil works now also about to commence. We very much look forward to a return visit by our many guests in the next few years to witness the outcome of the changes that are being wrought´.

The newly named tugs demonstrating their power and manoeuvrability

While the Tug Naming Ceremony was in progress, guests were treated to an additional surprise; the arrival from Europe of a heavy lift vessel loaded with new harbour cranes and forklift trucks for use in the port, representing a further inward investment of 4 million USD.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Sonia Mota
Tel: +258 1 313 920
Fax: +258 1 313 921
E-mail: sonia.mota@portmaputo.com
Picture available upon request.