Mozambique: Cornelder Remits About US$500 Million to the State Across Seven Years While Expanding Beira Port Investments
Cornelder de Moçambique, the operator licensed to run the Port of Beira in Sofala province, central Mozambique, disclosed that it has paid nearly US$500 million to the Mozambican State over a span of seven years. Jan de Vries, the Executive Managing Director of Cornelder de Moçambique, stated, “We have paid almost US$500 million in concession fees and taxes over the last seven years.” In total, the company reports contributing about US$886 million to the Mozambican treasury, in addition to roughly US$50 million paid each year to local suppliers for goods and services.
Beyond direct government payments, Cornelder notes broader economic spillovers: numerous dry ports in the surrounding region have emerged, employing thousands and linking a network of transport firms with fleets ranging from one to two thousand trucks. These activities have significantly boosted local jobs and economic activity, reinforcing the port area as a major regional catalyst, according to Jan de Vries.
Even with growth in operations, the concessionaire highlights ongoing infrastructure hurdles, such as limited port access. The company points out that the port currently has a single entry and exit point, which constrains efficiency.
To enhance port performance, Cornelder plans a four-year investment of US$120 million aimed at expanding container terminal capacity to 700,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and increasing general cargo handling to five million tonnes. De Vries outlined a series of projects already underway to realize this plan, including substantial improvements at the container terminal, such as constructing a 75,000-square-meter paved yard and a new exit complex.
Looking forward to next year, the company intends to widen five hectares of the minerals terminal—an area that has seen rapid growth recently due to cargo traffic from Zimbabwe—and to expand the fertiliser terminal.
Photo: Conselho Executivo Provincial de Sofala
On 12 December, Mozambican Transport Minister João Matlombe inaugurated works on an alternative access road to the Port of Beira and a logistics center, a move designed to reduce congestion and prevent cargo diversion to neighboring countries.
In August, Cornelder projected a total investment of 640 million meticais (roughly US$10 million at current exchange rates) for modernizing and expanding port infrastructure and acquiring new equipment.
Source: Lusa
