More improvements for vital Port of Maputo regional trade gateway

Mozambique has reinforced its ambition to become a leading trade and logistics hub in Southern Africa with the recent signing of an agreement to improve the digital infrastructure of the Maputo port. 

Port of Maputo is the main gateway of the Maputo Corridor, a critical logistical route connecting Mozambique to Gauteng, the economic hub of South Africa. It also provides maritime access for landlocked countries in the region such as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Eswatini. 

The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) awarded its Port Community System (PCS) project to Kale Logistics Solutions (Kalé), marking a significant milestone in the port’s digital transformation journey.

When operational, the PCS platform will support a broad range of port operations, including vessel management, imports, exports, trans-shipment, cabotage (the transport of goods between two places inside the same country by a foreign operator, vehicle, ship or aircraft), truck and rail movements, customs and regulatory interactions, warehouse operations, and performance monitoring.  

The platform will integrate with existing systems such as the Customs Single Window, Terminal Operating Systems, Vessel Traffic Management Systems and banking and payment platforms, creating a seamless digital environment for all port stakeholders. 

A prerequisite for competitiveness. 

Marking the occasion, Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. João Matlombe, said digital transformation is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for competitiveness.

“The Port Community System represents a strategic step towards a more integrated, efficient and transparent logistics ecosystem, fully aligned with the Government’s vision for the modernisation of transport and trade facilitation,” the Minister stated.

“As Mozambique’s first Port Community System, this initiative positions the Port of Maputo as a pioneer and lays the foundation for the digital evolution of our national logistics network.”

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Osório Lucas, CEO of MPDC, said: “The implementation of the PCS aligns with our vision of creating a smarter, more connected and efficient port ecosystem. By enabling real-time collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders, we are strengthening the Port of Maputo’s role as a strategic gateway for regional and international trade.” 

He added: “We are proud and grateful to the Government of Mozambique for supporting us in building a platform that will help prepare Mozambique for the challenges of the next generation of trade and logistics.”

According to the website Further Africa, the Port of Maputo is not only a cornerstone for Mozambique’s economic development, but also a vital component in boosting regional economic integration and fostering new global trade opportunities.