The Port of Maputo in Mozambique has launched a US$150 million capital dredging project, allowing vessels up to 366 metres long to call at the port.
China Road and Bridge Corporation will carry out the works, which are expected to take approximately 12 months and involve seven specialised vessels.
The project will deepen the access channel from 14.4 metres to 15.3 metres. Straight sections will be widened to 210 metres from approximately 110 metres, while bends will be widened to 295 metres from approximately 150 metres.
A new turning basin approximately 660 metres in diameter will also be created.
The deepened channel is intended to receive container vessels of up to approximately 14,000 TEUs capacity with draughts close to 15 metres.
More than 21 million cubic metres of material is expected to be removed along a stretch of approximately 74 kilometres.
The scope also covers obstacle removal, protection of submarine fibre-optic cables, and adaptation of navigation aids.
Port concessionaire Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) said operations will continue throughout the works, with ongoing coordination between dredging teams, pilots, port operations and vessel traffic.
MPDC Chief Executive Officer Osório Lucas said the dredging forms part of investments tied to the extension of the port concession to 2058.
The investments include the expansion of the DP World Maputo container terminal, with capacity of approximately 650,000 TEUs per year; Matola Coal Terminal capacity is set to reach approximately 12 million tonnes per year, and the port will be able to handle 20.6 million tonnes of minerals.
Jan De Nul Group last deepened the access channel and port basins in 2016.
A subsequent maintenance campaign that began in October 2019 removed 1.5 million cubic metres of silt, mud and sand.
