The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has launched the first phase of its $2 billion expansion project, aiming to position Maputo Port as a leading shipping hub in Southern Africa. This ambitious initiative, projected to cost $164 million in its initial phase, is set to increase the port’s container handling capacity from 255,000 to 530,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually within the next two years.
The project is designed to meet the growing demand for alternative shipping routes as exporters seek more efficient logistics solutions in the region. Key infrastructural upgrades include the extension of the quay from 250 meters to 650 meters, and the deepening of the berth draft to 16 meters. These enhancements will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels, significantly improving its competitive edge in global shipping.
The MPDC, a consortium comprising DP World, Grindrod, and Mozambique’s state-owned rail operator, is overseeing the expansion. This move comes as southern Africa’s trade routes become increasingly congested, with Maputo Port positioning itself as a viable alternative for exporters looking to bypass overburdened South African logistics channels.
As regional trade volumes continue to rise, Maputo Port’s expansion is seen as a crucial step toward improving regional integration and meeting the needs of a growing economy.