South African shipping and freight logistics company Grindrod has just completed phase one development on a 52,000 capacity car terminal at the Port of Maputo in Mozambique. The company, which holds a 24.8% stake in the port, is looking to make the port an alternative to the busy Port of Durban which processed more than 400,000 vehicles in 2007. Dubai Port World owns a similar stake in Maputo with the Mozambican government owning 50%.
Grindrod freight services Managing Director Dave Rennie has said the investment in the car terminal will reach an estimated $30m once completed, with plans for an eventual 250,000-vehicle capacity.
Grindrod began small volume vehicle movements through the port in September last year by rail from Rosslyn but would not reveal which carmaker was involved. BMW and Nissan are both based there.
A port master plan outlining the future development of the entire Maputo port will be completed this month involving berth and channel improvements, development of landside activities and a review of service corridors and associated infrastructure.
