The Mozambican government has approved an international tender to concession the integrated expansion and development of Nacala Port in Nampula province, aiming to boost capacity and modernise operations at one of Southern Africa’s strategic logistics hubs.
The resolution, passed by the Council of Ministers in Maputo, empowers the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to oversee the tender process for the port’s expansion and modernisation.
According to Cabinet spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa, “Nacala Port, a key component of the Nacala Corridor, currently handles 3.5 million tonnes annually, representing 35% of its 10 million-tonne capacity.”
The port comprises three main terminals:
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A container terminal with an annual capacity of 252,000 TEU
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A general cargo terminal handling 2.4 million tonnes per year
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A liquid terminal with a capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per year
Its navigable channel, over 18 metres deep, eliminates the need for dredging. Despite these features, the government sees scope for further optimisation and unrestricted operations.
The integrated development project will include:
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Upgrades to port infrastructure and terminals
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Establishment of a special economic zone and dry ports to attract foreign investment
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Construction of a floating dry dock and repair facilities
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the Nacala Logistics Corridor, operational since 2016 following a $4.5 billion investment by Brazilian mining giant Vale, Japanese conglomerate Mitsui, and Mozambique’s public ports and rail company CFM. The corridor features a deep-water port at Nacala and a 912-kilometre railway, primarily for coal exports from Tete province.
President Daniel Chapo highlighted the corridor’s regional importance last year, noting its potential to foster sustainable agriculture, industrial parks, and cross-border trade.
Former president Filipe Nyusi, in 2023, inaugurated new port infrastructure and signed agreements to enhance the corridor’s joint use, emphasizing its significance for landlocked Malawi and Zambia.
During the same cabinet session, the government also approved a project implementation office for the Beira Development Corridor in central Mozambique. The office will coordinate and monitor strategic projects, including the construction of an access road to Beira port, a dry port in Dondo, and one-stop border posts in Machipanda and Massacatiza.
