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Sappi's products to be shipped via Maputo port

 Mbombela -  SA's paper manufacturer Sappi has chosen to ship some of its products through the Maputo port, which is considered a gateway to Southern Africa's economic hubs.

In an agreement signed with DP World Maputo, Sappi Southern Africa will route all dissolving wood pulp exports from its Ngodwana mill outside Mbombela through the port of Maputo.

DP World Maputo chief executive Junaid Zamir said: "We're delighted that Sappi has chosen DP World Maputo to handle its Ngodwana mill product.

"Their decision demonstrates confidence in the value that DP World Maputo offers in terms of service excellence at a competitive price."

Recognition of quality

Zamir said their company is experienced in handling Sappi products having served them for many years before their manufacturing plant was closed down in Swaziland in 2009.

"We see this new business as recognition of the quality of our work for them in the past and the quality of our offering today,” he said.

DP World Maputo port plays a major role in linking regional production, mining and commercial hubs to the markets of South East Asia.

Linking the port with the highly industrialised and productive regions of Southern Africa is the Maputo development corridor with its integrated network of road, rail, border posts, connecting with the modern DP World Maputo port terminal facilities.

Zamir said Sappi had completed a partial conversion of its Ngodwana mill from Kraft pulp to dissolving wood pulp in a project where Sappi invested more than US$300m to add 210 000 tons per annum to its Specialised Cellulose (DWP) portfolio.

He said containers would be transported to and from the port over a distance of 250km via rail through to Ressano Garcia, the border between South Africa and Mozambique.

Shipping lines

The Mozambique Ports and Railways company, a joint venture partner of DP World, will be responsible for bringing the containers the rest of the way to DP World Maputo.

Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) chief executive Osório Lucas said the success of the Maputo Development Corridor was not only dependent on the DP World Maputo container terminal performance, but also on the equally important services offered by shipping lines and the reliability of rail services from Sappi’s plant at Ngodwana.

Chief executive officer of Sappi Southern Africa, Alex Thiel, said Sappi was pleased to have found a strong partner in DP World Maputo to ensure the reliable and cost effective delivery of its new Specialised Cellulose products to our global customers.

“The investment at our Ngodwana mill shows our strong commitment to the Mpumalanga province and the contract with DP World Maputo shows the benefits of regional co-operation between SADC member states as well as the importance of the Maputo Development Corridor in keeping Southern Africa globally competitive,” said Thiel.




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