State-run Mozambique Ports and Railways company (CFM) has been given the green light to build a new deep-water port to handle at least 50 mtpa of heavy cargo.
According to a report in Reuters, the port will be built in the district of Matutuine, on the coast of the southern province of Maputo.
CFM CE Rui Fonseca said the project, first discussed in 2000, was delayed due to a lack of environmental permits given its proximity to tourist areas, and due to financial reasons, but construction was now expected to start in two years.
Fonseca said CFM decided on the new port as the existing terminals at Maputo and Matola could not handle large quantities of coal and petroleum products. He said the new port is expected to harbour vessels with a cargo capacity of up to 300,000t.
The port, to be based 500 km closer to South Africa's chief coal producing areas than the country's own Richards Bay Coal Terminal, could help coal producers save on transport costs, says Reuters.
