Mozambique’s state-owned ports and railways company, Portos e Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), is preparing to launch tenders for the concession of sections of the national railway network to private operators, in a move aimed at broadening freight transport options for importers and exporters.
The initiative forms part of a wider strategy to shift a greater share of cargo movement away from roads and onto rail and maritime transport. The goal is to increase the use of these modes within the national logistics chain, allowing importers and exporters to select operators that best meet their requirements and the conditions of the services on offer.
According to CFM, Mozambique has three major logistics development corridors: Maputo, Beira, and Nacala. These corridors connect the country’s main seaports to inland regions and to the markets of neighbouring countries. The rail network also includes additional strategic lines used for the transport of raw materials, agricultural products, and other cargo.
The Maputo Corridor links the Port of Maputo to the interior of South Africa via road and rail infrastructure, including the Ressano Garcia Line. The Beira Corridor connects the Port of Beira to Mozambique’s interior and to Zimbabwe via the Machipanda Line, and to Malawi via the Sena Line.
In the north of the country, the Nacala Corridor links the Port of Nacala to Mozambique’s interior and to Malawi, including the rail connection used to transport coal from Moatize. The Limpopo Corridor, meanwhile, provides a rail link between Maputo and Chicualacuala in Gaza Province, extending onward to Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa.
The network also includes the Goba Corridor, which connects the Maputo area to Eswatini via the Goba Line. Together, these corridors link production centres, industrial zones, land border crossings, and international markets, complementing the national port network and facilitating the movement of goods between the interior and external trade access points.
In this context, CFM intends to strengthen the role of rail and maritime transport in freight movement, reducing the country’s dependence on road haulage. The company says railways represent one of the primary channels for moving mineral products and other cargo from the interior, while the national ports provide access to international trade routes.
Mozambique’s geographic position allows it to function as a maritime gateway for landlocked neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, as well as for industrial regions of South Africa. The entry of private operators into rail operations fits within the concession model already employed by CFM in its rail-port activities, through partnerships for the operation and management of specific infrastructure assets.
Despite the announcement, CFM has not yet disclosed a timetable for launching the tenders, the duration of concessions, selection criteria, or details of the lots to be awarded. No potential participating operators have been identified. The completion of the process will depend on the terms and conditions to be defined by the government and CFM.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=554913
