UN/LOCODE: MZMPM📍 Mozambique
Port of Maputo (UN/LOCODE MZMPM)
❖ Coordinates: -25.8920°N, 32.6051°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Maputo
❖ UN/LOCODE: MZMPM
## About the Port
The **Port of Maputo** (UN/LOCODE: **MZMPM**) sits at the southern terminus of the **Maputo Bay** inlet, positioned at **25.8919° S, 32.6051° E**. It serves the capital city of Mozambique and the surrounding Maputo Province, operating on **Africa/Maputo** time (UTC +2). Managed by **Port Management Company of Maputo (CMCM)** under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the port is the nation’s principal gateway for containerized, bulk, and Ro‑Ro traffic. Its natural deep‑water harbour, protected by a series of sandbars and artificial breakwaters, offers a strategic anchorage for vessels transiting the **Mozambique Channel** and the broader Indian Ocean trade lane.
## History
### Colonial Foundations (1890‑1960)
The port’s origins trace back to Portuguese colonial engineering works in the late 19th century, when a modest wharf was erected to support the export of cotton and cashews. Early dredging in the 1910s created a navigable channel of **8‑m** depth, allowing steamers to call at Maputo (then Lourenço Marques).
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1975‑2000)
Following Mozambique’s independence in 1975, the port entered a period of state‑led expansion. The 1980s saw the construction of new container terminals, while the **2002–2005** modernization program deepened the main channel to **12 m** and installed a modern teleradar system, enabling the port to accommodate Panamax‑size vessels.
### Recent Modernisation (2000‑Present)
Since 2008, Maputo has benefited from public‑private partnerships, most notably the **Maputo Container Terminal (MCT) joint venture** between the Mozambican government and **DP World**. The 2013‑2016 upgrade introduced a **15‑meter draft** and automated gantry cranes, positioning the port as a hub for the **Southern African Development Community (SADC)** logistics corridor. Ongoing investments target the expansion of bulk terminals and the implementation of a **digital port community system** to streamline customs clearance (see the UN CTAD port statistics for recent figures).
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **Container Terminal:** 3 berths (12 m draft, 16 m LOA capacity) equipped with super‑post‑Panj‑cranes (40‑ton capacity).
- **General Cargo & Ro‑Ro:** 4 berths (10 m draft) with roll‑on/roll‑off ramps and side‑loading cranes.
- **Bulk & Liquid:** 2 deep‑water berths (15 m draft) for coal, iron ore, and petroleum products, complemented by silos (20 Mt grain) and oil tanks (5 Mt).
### Cargo‑Handling Equipment
The port operates **15 mobile gantry cranes**, **10 reach stackers**, and **6 mobile harbor cranes** (30‑ton capacity). An **automated gate system** and **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** platform reduce truck turnaround time to under **30 minutes** per container.
### Navigational Aids & Security
A **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** centre monitors AIS traffic, while **differential GPS** and **laser ranging** assist pilots in the narrow inlet. Security complies with the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, with 24/7 perimeter fencing and CCTV coverage.
### Hinterland Connectivity
- **Rail:** The **Limpopo Railway** links Maputo to the South African rail network, providing a 1,200 km corridor to the Gauteng industrial heartland.
- **Road:** The **N4 (Maputo‑N4 Highway)** forms part of the **Maputo Development Corridor**, allowing high‑capacity truck flows to Zimbabwe and Botswana.
- **Pipeline:** A 1,200 km oil pipeline connects the port to the **Mombasa‑Nairobi** pipeline network, supporting trans‑regional fuel distribution.
## Economic Importance
### National Revenue Generator
Port of Maputo accounts for **≈ 30 %** of Mozambique’s total maritime cargo value, handling over **12 Mt** of cargo annually (2023 data). Direct port fees, stevedoring, and storage generate roughly **US$ 150 million** in fiscal revenue each year, while ancillary services—logistics, warehousing, and customs—contribute an additional **US$ 200 million** to the national economy.
### Regional Trade Hub
Strategically positioned at the southern tip of the Mozambique Channel, Maputo serves as the preferred maritime entry point for **SADC members** such as **South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho**, offering a shorter land‑bridge alternative to the Durban corridor. The port’s role in the **Maputo Development Corridor** has stimulated over **US$ 5 billion** in private investment across transport, manufacturing, and agribusiness sectors.
### Investment Outlook
Through a **$ 1.2 billion** master‑plan announced in 2022, the Mozambican government aims to add **four new container berths**, expand the bulk terminal by **10 Mt**, and introduce a **green berth** equipped with shore‑power facilities. These projects are expected to raise the port’s capacity to **2 million TEU** by 2030, aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) logistics objectives.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Import Commodities
- **Petroleum products:** Diesel, gasoline, and LPG fuel the domestic energy market.
- **Machinery & Vehicles:** Heavy equipment, motor vehicles, and spare parts support construction and mining sectors.
- **Foodstuffs:** Wheat, rice, and dairy products meet urban consumption needs.
### Core Export Commodities
- **Coal & Iron Ore:** Extracted from the **Tete** and **Moamba** mines, shipped to Asian and European steel mills.
- **Agricultural Produce:** Cashew nuts, tobacco, and tropical fruits, primarily bound for EU and Middle Eastern markets.
- **Textiles & Apparel:** Finished garments destined for the United States under **AGOA** (African Growth and Opportunity Act).
### Shipping Lines & Alliances
The port is regularly serviced by **Maersk Line**, **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)**, and **CMA CGM**, with scheduled calls from **CMA CMA CGM’s Atlantic‑Indian Alliance** and the **MSC’s Asia‑Europe Loop**. Frequent feeder services link Maputo to **Durban, Beira, and Walvis Bay**, facilitating intra‑regional cargo redistribution.
### Global Connectivity
Through the **Mozambique Channel**, vessels transiting between the **Suez Canal** and the **Cape of Good Hope** routinely pass close to Maputo, allowing the port to capture transshipment cargo from West African exporters. The **Maputo‑Lourenço Marques** corridor also offers a direct maritime‑rail link to the **Southern African rail network**, reducing average door‑to‑door transit times to **≈ 7 days** for exports bound for Europe.
*For detailed statistical data on cargo volumes and liner schedules, consult the UN CTAD Review of Maritime Transport (2024) and the World Port Source portal.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MZMPM
Country
Mozambique
Province / Region
Maputo City
Latitude
-25.891968
Longitude
32.605135
Timezone
Africa/Maputo
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Maputo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Maputo is MZMPM.
Where is Port of Maputo located?
The Port of Maputo is located in Mozambique, Maputo City. Its coordinates are -25.8920°N, 32.6051°E.
What time zone is Port of Maputo in?
Port of Maputo operates in the Africa/Maputo time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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