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Grindrod Matola Port Master Plan

Planning the next 50 years of Grindrod Terminal de Carvão da Matola.

Client

Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM)

Project date

Appointed in 2019

Constructed in 1964, Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM) is operated by Grindrod as part of a sub-concession to the Maputo main port concession. The terminal receives coal and magnetite by rail and exports via its own berth.
In July 2019, Zutari’s multidisciplinary team was appointed to carry out a port master plan concept study for the terminal. The team consisted of port and marine, bulk materials handling (BMH), rail, and civil engineers. The purpose of the study was to investigate optimal expansion options for the terminal’s long-term master plan, as well as a phased expansion aligned with this vision.

The opportunity

Developing a master plan for a 56-year-old terminal required balancing legacy infrastructure with modern operational demands. The challenge was to integrate old and new technologies while improving operational practices and providing sufficient redundancy. Another key consideration was constructability, ensuring that expansion would have minimal impact on ongoing operations.

The BMH and rail solutions needed to accommodate potential marine and wetland reclamation and be flexible enough to allow for future terminal expansion, given the limited land availability around the site.

What we did

Zutari adopted a top-down methodology that prioritised long-term sustainability and operational efficiency. The approach began with a holistic view of the terminal’s future, aligning the next phase of expansion with the overall master plan.

Favourable port and marine, BMH, and rail solutions were developed through a comprehensive, discipline-specific multi-criteria analysis (MCA). The design options that scored highest in these assessments were integrated into a combined MCA, which considered the ease of cross-disciplinary integration.

This rigorous and collaborative process identified preferred terminal layouts based on a wide range of factors, including health and safety, environmental and social impact, net present value (NPV), and constructability.
Zutari’s integrated and collaborative approach between disciplines, combined with regular client consultations, enabled the team to co-create a cost-effective and feasible solution.

The outcome

The outcome of the study was presented to the Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC). Zutari’s design was well received, providing a clear, phased roadmap for short-, medium-, and long-term expansion.

Through collaboration and technical excellence, Zutari helped Grindrod envision the next 50 years of terminal growth, ensuring the facility remains a critical gateway for exports in the region.

By blending strategic foresight with practical engineering, Zutari delivered a master plan that supports Grindrod’s long-term ambitions and ensures Terminal de Carvão da Matola continues to thrive as a key logistics hub for southern Africa.

Zutari’s integrated and collaborative approach enabled us to develop a feasible, future-focused solution that strengthened our partnership with Grindrod.

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