Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has just inaugurated its Slab 8, a 6.9 million dollar investment that will relieve the pressure of the Port of Maputo’s demand for bulk minerals. This new 3-hectare hardstand increases the Port of Maputo’s capacity for bulk minerals (excluding coal and magnetite) to 12.4 million.

The slab will have a dedicated weighbridge (out of a total of 18 at the port) and includes additional investment in equipment (4 payloaders) and additional staff (new hires for tally clerks and machine operators).

“There is an additional demand in the market of 4 million tons of minerals. This new slab that will accommodate 1.2 million a year is already fully occupied by our customers, so we continue to implement initiatives to increase efficiency and, with it, handling,” explained MPDC’s Commercial Director, Neusa Saranga.

Although there continues to be great demand for the Port of Maputo for cargoes such as chrome and ferrochrome, in the last two years the port has begun to diversify and handle cargoes such as vanadium, lithium, vermiculite and wood logs.

By the end 2023, the port estimates to reach a 30 million ton throughput.