Global logistics leader DP World has kicked off a $165 million expansion of its container terminal at the Port of Maputo, Mozambique’s bustling gateway to southern Africa. Unveiled on May 5, 2025, the project will double the terminal’s handling capacity—boosting throughput from 255,000 TEUs to 530,000 TEUs—while deepening the berth to 16 meters and extending the quay to 650 meters. By accommodating post‑Panamax vessels up to 366 meters long, Maputo is poised to handle the world’s largest container ships, positioning it as a premier trade hub for the region.

A vote of confidence in Mozambique’s growth

“Expanding our Maputo terminal underscores DP World’s commitment to Mozambique’s economic development,” said Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and managing director for Sub‑Saharan Africa at DP World. “Together with the Government of Mozambique and our partners in the Maputo Port Development Company, we are building end‑to‑end logistics solutions that will transform trade along Africa’s south‑eastern coast.” For a country that relies on port revenues and cross‑border trade fees, the investment signals confidence not only in current market fundamentals, but also in long‑term regional integration.

Strategic gateway to land‑locked markets

Situated less than 80 kilometers from South Africa’s border, Maputo serves as the nearest deep‑water port for land‑locked neighbors such as Eswatini, South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, and parts of Zimbabwe. Through well‑worn rail and road corridors—the Maputo Corridor being among the most established—the port channels coal from Moatize, steel from South Africa, and agricultural goods from Mozambique’s fertile south. By doubling capacity and modernizing infrastructure, the expansion will cut vessel turnaround times and reduce freight costs, directly benefiting miners, farmers, and manufacturers across multiple borders.

Modernizing for bigger ships and better service

The terminal yard will sprawl an additional 6.48 hectares, making room for a fleet that includes three new ship‑to‑shore cranes capable of swiftly loading and unloading the largest container vessels. An expanded cadre of rubber‑tyred gantry cranes will bolster stacking efficiency, complementing existing mobile harbour cranes. To support Mozambique’s booming citrus, sugar, and cashew exports, reefer capacity will rise to over 700 plugs, ensuring perishable cargo moves swiftly to global markets. Together, these upgrades will slash dwell times, ease congestion, and boost reliability for shippers.

“Our goal is clear: faster, cost‑effective carrier turnarounds and more competitive freight rates that attract even greater vessel traffic,” explained Captain Sumeet Bhardwaj, CEO of DP World Maputo. “Farmers, exporters, and manufacturers from Maputo to Harare will see their goods reach overseas buyers in days, not weeks—empowering local communities and driving inclusive growth.”

Smart port, safe port

A suite of technological enhancements will usher in a new era of automation and predictability. Optical character recognition at gate entrances will instantly capture container numbers and conditions, while an upgraded terminal operating system will orchestrate every movement on the yard with millisecond precision. Truckers will book arrivals through a robust vehicle booking system, eliminating queues and reducing idling emissions. A digitized client community system will link shipping lines, customs, banks, and forwarders on a single platform, slashing paperwork and cutting liabilities.

Safety and security are top priorities. Advanced CCTV networks, live‑feed monitoring, and enhanced access controls will protect workers and cargo alike. Newly built accommodation blocks and welfare centers for port employees will ensure a healthy, motivated workforce, with on‑site training facilities cultivating local talent for tomorrow’s high‑tech operations.

DP World’s African footprint

DP World—headquartered in Dubai—has built one of the world’s largest port and logistics networks, spanning six continents and over 50 countries. In Africa alone, the company operates terminals in Senegal’s Dakar, Kenya’s Mombasa, Djibouti, and now Mozambique’s Maputo. Its “Africa First” strategy focuses on unlocking the continent’s trade potential by integrating maritime gateways with inland corridors and logistics parks, creating seamless chains from factory to customer.

Competition and collaboration

Maputo’s renaissance is unfolding amid a wave of African port upgrades. Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa continue to handle the lion’s share of regional cargo, while Beira—modernized by Chinese investors—offers an alternative corridor for central Mozambique’s coal fields. Meanwhile, the deep‑water port at Nacala, linked by a Chinese‑built railway, specializes in mineral exports. Against this backdrop, DP World’s investment in Maputo underscores a competitive yet collaborative landscape: each gateway serves distinct markets, but all share the goal of faster, more reliable trade flows across borders.

Economic ripple effects

Port expansion does more than speed ships—it fuels entire economies. By lowering transport bills and improving schedule certainty, local industries can chase new markets and compete on price. Small‑scale farmers exporting mangoes or avocados will find refrigerated containers more accessible; manufacturers can import raw materials more cheaply; mining companies can lock in stevedoring rates that make new extraction projects viable. Multiplier effects kick in as port workers spend wages locally, service providers win contracts, and logistics hubs pop up along feeder roads.

Sustainability on the agenda

As the port grows, so too does the focus on environmental stewardship. DP World plans to integrate solar arrays on warehouse roofs, pilot hybrid-electric yard trucks, and introduce shore‑power connections so docked vessels can shut down auxiliary engines. Rainwater harvesting systems and waste‑management protocols will limit the terminal’s ecological footprint. Such green measures not only align with global shipping’s decarbonization push but also address community concerns over noise, dust, and emissions.

Navigating challenges ahead

While optimism runs high, challenges remain. Rail link upgrades financed years ago still require capacity boosts to match the terminal’s output ambitions. Road infrastructure, particularly border crossings, must be streamlined to avoid bottlenecks. Political stability and regulatory coordination among Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini will be critical to maintain smooth operations. DP World and local authorities must work hand‑in‑glove to address these hurdles and keep investment on track.

Looking to the horizon

With construction slated for completion by late 2026, Maputo’s expanded container terminal is set to handle more than half a million TEUs annually—a feat unthinkable just a decade ago. Beyond containers, DP World and Mozambique’s port authorities are eyeing future phases that could include bulk‑cargo handling for coal and minerals, a dedicated terminal for liquid natural gas cargoes, and expanded cruise‑ship facilities to tap into southern Africa’s growing tourism market.

For Mozambique, the $165 million outlay is more than steel and concrete—it’s a lifeline to prosperity. By reinforcing its position as a logistics nerve center, the Port of Maputo helps knit together southern Africa’s economies, creating jobs, boosting exports, and fostering resilience in an unpredictable global trading environment. As the first ships berth at the new quay, the expanded terminal will herald a bold chapter in Africa’s infrastructure renaissance—one where ports are not simply transit points, but engines of inclusive, sustainable growth.

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photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

6th May, 2025