The Port of Beira, located in Sofala province, is about to reach a historic milestone in the handling of containerized cargo, with the forecast of reaching 400,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent units) by the end of 2023. The information was announced this Thursday, August 8, by the operations director of Cornelder Mozambique, Miguel de Jenda.
According to Jenda, the Port of Beira handled 225,000 TEU from January to July this year, representing a growth of 41% compared to the same period in 2022. This significant increase is due to the conquest of new markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which contributed to the rise in cargo volumes.
“Reaching 400,000 TEU by December is practically guaranteed, thanks to the entry of new markets and the operational efficiency we have managed to maintain,” said Miguel de Jenda, quoted by Rádio Moçambique. The containers handled include minerals, food and forestry products, highlighting the diversification and economic importance of the port.
To cope with this growth and prepare for future challenges, Cornelder de Moçambique has already begun expanding its fertilizer and mineral terminals. This effort is in line with the government’s plans, which announced in October 2023 an investment of 18.3 billion meticais (290 million dollars) in the modernization and expansion of the Port of Beira.
The Mozambican government, through the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala, has highlighted the strategic importance of the Port of Beira, not only for Mozambique, but for the entire southern African region. The planned investment aims not only to meet growing demand, but also to position the port as a leading logistics hub in the coming years.