Port of Beira: Linking Africa

The Port of Beira in Mozambique, at which Röhlig-Grindrod has an established office, is the shortest and quickest route to the sea for the Southern African hinterland. Cornelder de Mozambique (CdM), the company that currently manages the port, is on a drive to change public perception around Beira and is encouraging more importers and exporters to make use of the conveniently located port.

Beira is no longer just a feeder port. In recent years it has become fully integrated with the southern and eastern African shipping networks and receives regularly scheduled direct calls from major shipping lines. It is also conveniently located for Zimbabwean importers and exporters, as well as the Zambian and Democratic Republic of Congo copper belts.

Linking the Zambian copper belt and Beira is a 1360 kilometer road, which runs from Ndola, Zambia, though Harare in Zimbabwe. In addition to this, a new four-lane highway is also under construction which will link Beira and Mutare, located on the Zimababwe/Mozambique border. Cross-continent trade is further supported by the historical railway line running between Beira and Lobito, all the way to the other side of the African continent on the coast of Angola.

With the impending lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe, the Beira port is set to see higher volumes. 2018 has already seen the first export of bulk chrome from Zimbabwe, and economic revitalization in both countries should ensure even more throughput for Beira.