Malawi and other countries in southern Africa have been called to maximise the use of the Indian Ocean port of Nacala in Mozambique for enhanced integration and trade.
According to officials, the port can handle 10 million tonnes of cargo per year, of which it is only handling about 40 percent.
Addressing Malawian journalists last week, [Mozambique Ports and Railways] Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique Port Director Neimo Induna said there is vast room for use by countries within the region.
He said a stable rail system from the port also accords Nacala a competitive edge as a hub for regional connectivity.
According to Induna, the port is, in general terms, handling 30 percent of cargo to Malawi.
“The rest is local. And if you look at the containers, we handle about five percent, which is too low,” he said.
Induna said following its upgrade last year, the port is in its best capacity to handle huge volumes of cargo.
“Everything is in place for us to do well and use it as preferentially not only because it is a shorter route, but because it is also doing well. So, this is why we invite Malawian partners to use this port,” he said.
Figures provided show that last year alone, the port facilitated movement of about 18.9 million litres of diesel for Malawi last year.
Between January and July this year, about 14.5 million litres of fuel for Malawi was ferried through the Nacala Port.
The port is used for Malawi’s imports including fuel, fertiliser and pharmaceutical.
Malawi uses the port as a window for exports, especially agricultural commodities such as tobacco, sugar and pigeon peas.
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