The shortest, fastest route to Southern Africa

October 12, 2024

Marco Grobbelaar, general manager of Independent Beira Logistics Terminals & Services (IBLTS), talks to The Energy Year about the company’s extensive experience in handling mineral cargoes and the importance of the Beira Corridor for the Mozambican logistics sector. IBLTS is a container depot in Beira that stores and handles bulk and break-bulk cargoes including minerals and soft commodities.

What services does IBLTS offer in Mozambique and what are the main advantages for companies to utilise your facilities?
IBLTS provides efficient and comprehensive logistics solutions for companies importing and exporting commodities through the Port of Beira. We offer a robust network connecting Beira with hinterland countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.
Our portfolio of services encompasses the entire containerised cargo lifecycle, including secure stuffing and de-stuffing of containers. We provide temperature-controlled reefer connection points to ensure the integrity of perishable goods during transit and, for clients requiring long-term storage solutions, IBLTS offers secure under-roof warehousing alongside expansive open storage areas to accommodate diverse needs.
We are proud of our position as the first purpose-built dry port in Beira. For the specific demands of containerised cargo handling, we designed and constructed a state-of-the-art Inland Container Depot (ICD) equipped with modern facilities and comprehensive equipment. Located in Beira’s Manga area, the ICD has been operational since August 2013, serving as a cornerstone of efficient trade operations in the region.

 

What is the importance of the Beira Corridor for the company and Mozambique’s logistics sector?
The significance of the Beira Corridor is immense. This strategic trade route enables us to generate meaningful employment opportunities, and we currently support over 145 personnel within our business unit.
The Beira Corridor offers a distinct advantage due to Beira’s superior geographical location compared to competing ports. Beira is ideally positioned to serve the import and export needs of hinterland countries and it enables us to offer the shortest feasible transit times, ensuring efficient and timely cargo movement. In recent years, Beira Port has emerged as the most agile gateway for Central and Southern African markets.
Through combined efforts, the Port of Beira has established itself as a reliable, cost-effective and agile transportation hub, serving more than 50 million consumers in the aforementioned countries who import goods through Beira, as well as numerous global companies that utilise Beira for exports.

How can IBLTS contribute to the operations of companies in the energy and mining sector?
We have extensive experience in handling a diverse range of bulk and containerised cargo. Our core competencies include but are not limited to, the following commodities: chrome, cobalt, nickel, manganese, sulphur and copper concentrates.
We facilitate the efficient movement of these goods through the Port of Beira, handling over 9,000 containers for exports and more than 7,000 containers for imports annually, excluding bulk cargo and other general logistics movements.

How does your belonging to the J&J Group benefit clients?
Our being part of the J&J Group brings significant advantages to our clients. This strategic partnership allows us to offer a comprehensive supply chain solution, encompassing all aspects of the import and export process. Our services include vessel agency, ocean freight forwarding, inland customs clearance, cargo transportation, warehousing and comprehensive logistics support.
By integrating these services under one umbrella, we can streamline operations and eliminate the need for clients to manage multiple agents. This not only translates to cost-effectiveness but also simplifies communication, ensuring a more seamless and efficient experience for our clients.

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• Mozambique