DP World has officially broken ground on a major $165-million expansion project at its container terminal in the Port of Maputo, Mozambique. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Jorge Matlomb, who emphasized the strategic importance of the investment for both the national and regional economy. The initiative is part of DP World’s long-term strategy to support growing global trade needs, generate thousands of new jobs, and boost Mozambique’s economic development.
The expansion project is expected to significantly enhance the port’s capacity and efficiency, reinforcing Maputo’s role as a critical trade and logistics hub for southern Africa. It will also open the port to accommodate larger container ships, improving access for landlocked countries in the region to global markets. According to Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, the project underscores a shared commitment with the Government of Mozambique and the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) to strengthen Mozambique’s economic foundation. He added that the Port of Maputo holds the potential to transform regional trade by linking southern African economies to international supply chains.
The upgrade will introduce world-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology. This includes a full revamp and modernization of both the terminal yard and quay. The yard will be expanded by 6.48 hectares, doubling annual throughput from 255,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to 530,000 TEUs. The quay will be extended to 650 meters in length and deepened to 16 meters to handle larger vessels, especially post-Panamax ships. A host of new equipment will be brought in, including three ship-to-shore cranes and an expanded fleet of rubber-tyred gantry cranes. These additions will work alongside the current mobile harbour crane fleet to manage the higher container volumes and a broader mix of cargo.
To further support the country’s growing agricultural exports, reefer container capacity will be expanded to over 700 plugs. This development is expected to significantly reduce turnaround times, cut shipping costs, and make freight rates more competitive. According to Sumeet Bhardwaj, CEO of DP World Maputo, the increased capacity will attract more vessels to the port and unlock cross-border economic opportunities. The project is also set to benefit local farmers, manufacturers, and exporters by giving them quicker and cheaper access to global markets, thus improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive growth.
In addition to infrastructure, technological advancements will play a key role in the transformation. The port will incorporate fully automated and predictable operations, including gate automation and optical character recognition systems to streamline container tracking and identification. The terminal operating system (TOS) will be upgraded, and a vehicle booking system (VBS) will be introduced to manage traffic efficiently. A digitized client community system (CCS) will improve communication with shipping lines, customs, and financial institutions.
Enhanced security is also part of the plan, with expanded live monitoring and advanced CCTV systems designed to improve operational safety. As a result of this comprehensive expansion, the Port of Maputo is poised to become a premier logistics gateway in southern Africa, driving long-term economic growth for Mozambique and its neighbors.
