The Mozambican government announced on Friday its intention to invest US$290 million in the expansion and modernisation of the Port of Beira, the country’s second-largest port and a major regional hub, reports Lusa.
Studies have forecasted an exponential increase in the volume of containers handled at the port, around 300 percent, over the next two decades. Mateus Magala, the minister for transport and communications, said the government’s plan would allow for investment “over the next 15 years for the expansion and modernisation of the Port of Beira, depending on market conditions.”
With the investment, container handling capacity at Beira Port will increase from 300,000 to 700,000 containers per year. Capacity in other areas, including handling general cargo, storage and access, will also improve.
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Magala also noted that the port relies on the good performance of road and rail transport, shipping lines, maritime services, logistics services, agencies, customs brokers and other links in the supply chain.
The government has “mobilised resources for the integrated development of the Beira Corridor” including the multi-phase dredging of the port access channel and rehabilitation of the N6 highway, both completed by Chinese companies, as well as the ongoing rebuilding of the 318-km Machipanda railway line that neighbouring Zimbabwe relies on for port access.
The Mozambican government envisions the infrastructure project as a way to create space for economic development, promoting industrialisation, agriculture, trade and other activities.
