The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has revealed that the use of rail transport will increase by 8% in 2023, contributing significantly to the port’s growth. This increase was part of a restructuring plan aimed at the balanced use of road and rail transportation.
Last year, rail transport accounted for between eight and nine million tons on the railway line, a considerable increase for the port. This growth is part of a joint effort between Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique and the South African rail operator.
Currently, 64% of the cargo handled at the port of Maputo is transported by truck, with the rest transported by rail, mainly exports from South Africa. However, MPDC aims to achieve a closer balance, with a ratio of 55% road and 45% rail in the coming years.
To achieve this goal, MPDC is finalizing a rail-port master plan that will provide visibility of all rail circulation within Mozambican territory. This initiative is part of a larger effort to increase the efficiency and capacity of the port.
MPDC is committed to doubling the volume of cargo handled annually by 2058, with significant investments planned. Since 2003, MPDC has invested around 900 million dollars in modernizing the port infrastructure, boosting economic growth and providing jobs for thousands of Mozambicans.
The port of Maputo continues to be an important economic engine for Mozambique, and the growing use of rail transport reflects efforts to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the country’s freight transport sector.
