Maputo, Mozambique, 19 Jul – The governments of Mozambique and Botswana plan to seek US$7 billion in financing to build a deepwater port in Techobanine, in the Matutine district of southern Mozambique’s Maputo province, per the terms of a document signed by both countries.

The project includes the construction of 1,100 km of railway linking the two countries, indicates the plan set out in the note of understanding signed at the site by the transportation ministers of Mozambique and Botswana, respectively Paulo Zucula and Frank Ramsden.

Besides serving Botswana, which is looking for a faster outlet for its mineral resources, especially coal, the port should also serve other countries such as South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

The project will be undertaken on a concession basis for the various components. Paulo Zucula indicated that it would complement similar infrastructures in the region which are already saturated by traffic.

The port complex should occupy an area of 30,000 hectares, including 11,000 hectares for industrial development, and be able to process 200 million tonnes of diverse cargo per year, from general to bulk, minerals, fuel and passengers.

US$3 billion of the necessary financing will be invested in Techobanine, for the port proper, housing (residences), schools and a hospital. The first construction phase should begin in 2012 and last until 2015. 

Techobanine is located 70 km south of the port of Maputo and 20 km from Ponta do Ouro on the South African border. (macauhub)