During the recent signing of the addendum to the Maputo Port Concession agreement in favour of the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), Agostinho Francisco Langa Júnior, representing the Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique EP (CFM), highlighted CFM’s investments in infrastructure and equipment over the last five years.
In the past five years, CFM has invested more than 910.3 million US dollars in infrastructure and equipment, supporting the development of the Ports of Maputo, Beira, Nacala, and Pemba, along with the Machipanda, Sena, and Ressano Garcia Lines. This investment, according to the Presidente do Conselho de Administração (PCA) of CFM, Agostinho Francisco Langa Júnior, aims to better meet the growing demand, particularly from mineral exporters, and to improve the quality of life for residents of the greater Maputo Metropolitan area.
Agostinho Francisco Langa Júnior presented this information as part of the signing of the addendum to the Maputo Port Concession agreement in favour of the Maputo Port Development Society (MPDC). In recent years, the Mozambican railway-port system has faced tremendous demand, especially from neighbouring countries, including South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia.
Ressano Garcia Line
The investments in the Southern railway system aim to increase the capacity of the Ressano Garcia Line from 13.0 to 24.0 million tonnes/year and to double the line. The first phase, covering a stretch of 42 km, has already been completed at a cost of 80 million US dollars from the company’s own funds.
Additionally, with its own funds, CFM acquired six locomotives, priced at 23.6 million US dollars; 350 flatbed wagons, valued at 24.3 million US dollars; and 120 tankers, estimated at 3.6 million US dollars, totalling an investment of 131.5 million US dollars.
CFM is also in the process of acquiring rolling stock for the Ressano Garcia line, consisting of 10 locomotives and 420 wagons, of which 300 are high sided for the transport of minerals, and 120 are fuel tankers, at a total cost of 68.4 million US dollars. The Ressano Garcia railway line generates more than 90% of rail traffic volume and comprises 70% of CFM’s overall rail transport volume. The African Development Bank approved a $40-million corporate loan for this procurement activity on 31 January 2024.
CFM and Maputo Port Development Company
Medium to long-term investments have been strategically aligned with MPDC, focusing on improving response to the escalating demand, especially from mineral exporters.
As a result of extensive collaboration between CFM and MPDC, the launch of a new platform is scheduled for March this year. This platform has been designed to integrate the information flow of both parties’ systems, facilitating real-time data sharing between MPDC and CFM, streamlining the railway management process.
The platform will enable all stakeholders, including CFM, MPDC, clients, and freight forwarders, to monitor the status and location of their cargo, including arrival predictions. This will support CFM and MPDC in the improved planning of operations.