The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) revealed that the volume of cargo handled in Mozambican ports increased by 18.6% by the end of the first half of the year.

"Overall, 28,947.6 thousand metric tons were handled compared to 24,399.5 thousand in the same period of the previous year, representing a growth of 18.6%," writes the MEF in the half-yearly balance of the Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE) 2023.

The biggest contributions came from the ports of Maputo, Nacala, Nacala-a-Velha and Topuito (the last three in Nampula province), with respective increases of 18.8%, 9.2%, 55.8% and 18.6% compared to last year.

The increase in the volume of cargo at these ports was due to an increase in the level of handling of fuel, wheat, fertilizers and an increase in demand and the detour of cargo at other ports.

On the other hand, "the analysis of the ports shows a reduction in cargo handling for the main port of Beira by (-1.6%), and the secondary port of Pemba which also decreased by around (23.2%) respectively," the MEF found.

According to the MEF, this drop in some ports was due to two factors, namely the reduction in fuel and magnetite handling production at the Port of Beira and the reduction in ships at the Port of Pemba, which affected the handling of containers, clinker and graphite in bags.