Maputo, 07 Oct (AIM) – Mozambican minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, believes that making greater use of the country’s 2,700 kilometre coastline is crucial for strengthening maritime cabotage.
According to Matlombe, speaking on Tuesday in Maputo at the launch of the National Cabotage Communication Campaign, maritime transport is an alternative to road transport for cargo, as the country’s extensive coastline represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen national logistics capacity and improve the movement of goods between different regions.
“It is easier to invest in what God has given us, which is the extensive coastline of 2,700 kilometres. The country needs to make more effective use of its natural advantages, and cabotage could become a reliable, predictable and competitive alternative to road freight transport”, he said.
He added that greater use of maritime transport could help reduce pressure on road infrastructure while creating additional options for moving goods within the country.
“Cabotage could also strengthen logistics links between different regions and support economic sectors that depend on regular and competitive transport services to deliver their products to markets”, the minister said.
According to Matlombe, with its extensive coastline, the country has the potential to diversify its transport network and reduce its reliance on roads for cargo movement, “allowing maritime transport to play a more prominent role in the national logistics system.”
The launch of the national communication campaign marks a new effort to promote cabotage and highlight the role maritime transport could play in improving the efficiency of cargo movement.
(AIM)
Zt/Am/
