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Ports in Mozambique

Macuse Deep-Water Port  (project)

 Spotlight: Facts & Numbers 

Location and Province

The Macuse Deep-Water Port (also spelled Macuze or Macuse Port) is a proposed multi-purpose deep-water port project located in Zambezia Province, central Mozambique, near the mouth of the Macuse River. It is situated approximately 35 km north of Quelimane, the provincial capital, in the coastal areas of Namacurra District (Macuse side) and Quelimane District (Supinho side). The site spans mangrove estuaries and is designed to serve as a gateway for inland resources, connecting to the western provinces without crossing international borders.

Key Facts and Numbers

  • Area: The port facility will occupy about 2.4 km² on the Macuse side and 2.9 km² on the Supinho side.
  • Capacity (Phase 1): Initial handling of 25–33 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), with potential expansion to 100 Mtpa. It will accommodate vessels up to 60,000–80,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), significantly larger than those at nearby ports like Beira.
  • Railway Integration: Includes a planned 600 km railway corridor from Chitima (near Moatize coal basin in Tete Province) to Macuse, shorter and fully within Mozambique compared to routes via Malawi to Nacala.
  • Cost Estimates: Overall project valued at US$5 billion (including port and rail); Phase 1 port construction around US$500 million, with additional US$2.3 billion for the railway.
  • Employment: Expected to create 8,000 direct jobs for Mozambicans in the first phase.
  • Resettlement: Involves relocating about 70–73 families from the Supinho area, with public consultations ongoing to mitigate conflicts.
  • Timeline: Concession awarded in 2013; construction repeatedly delayed from 2016/2021 targets; as of May 2025, US$500 million secured for port start, with resettlement completion by February 2026.
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Economy

The Macuse Port is envisioned as a key driver for Mozambique's extractive and agricultural sectors, primarily for exporting coal from the Moatize Basin (Tete Province), reducing reliance on congested routes like Beira or Nacala. In Phase 1, it will handle multi-product cargo including 2 million tonnes of wood chips from Portucel (a Portuguese pulp company), fertilizers, grains, fuels, and heavy mineral sands from Zambezia (e.g., ilmenite and zircon). The port supports the Zambezia Integrated Development Corridor (CODIZA), boosting GDP through trade, logistics, and job creation in mining, forestry, and transport. It aligns with Mozambique's mining law, requiring community benefits like 20% revenue sharing, but faces challenges from environmental impacts on mangroves and local fisheries. The project could enhance global competitiveness by enabling larger vessel access, potentially increasing national exports in the mineral sands sector (e.g., tying into Pebane's heavy sands mining).

Current Status of Macuse Deep-Water Port Construction (as of September 2025)

The Macuse Deep-Water Port project in Zambezia Province, Mozambique, remains in the pre-construction phase, with no on-site physical construction reported to have begun as of September 2025. Despite repeated announcements and funding commitments throughout 2025, the project continues to face delays primarily due to the resettlement process for affected communities and final financing arrangements. The initiative, led by Thai Mozambique Logística (TML) in partnership with entities like the state-owned CFM and CODIZA, is a key component of the broader Chitima-Macuse Rail-Port Corridor, aimed at exporting coal from Tete Province, wood chips from Portucel, and other commodities. The total project (port and ~600 km railway) is budgeted at over US$2.7–5 billion, with Phase 1 port capacity targeting 25–33 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) for vessels up to 60,000–80,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).

Key Updates in 2025

Funding Secured:

In May 2025, TML announced US$500 million available to initiate port construction, primarily for Phase 1 infrastructure including a logistics park, fuel terminal, and initial export facilities (e.g., 2 million tonnes of Portucel wood annually). This funding covers the port's estimated US$800 million cost, with the remainder for the railway (~US$1.9 billion).

In July 2025, US-based Ethos Asset Management Inc. committed an additional US$400 million in financing to TML for the port and railway, described as a "major deal" to ensure multi-purpose operations (dry bulk, agricultural products, general cargo, and liquid bulk). This brings total secured funding to ~US$900 million, with TML seeking the balance through international tenders.~

Resettlement Progress:

The relocation of ~70 families from the Macuse and Supinho sites (totaling ~5.3 km²) is a critical prerequisite. As of May 2025, this was projected to complete by February 2026, including new housing, a health center, water systems, roads, and markets in the Sopinho resettlement village. Public consultations and environmental approvals are ongoing, with a selected consortium (Mota-Engil and China's CCECC) for construction once cleared.

Government and Official Commitments:

In July 2025, President Daniel Chapo announced mobilization of resources to resume the project, emphasizing its role in economic recovery alongside other Zambezia infrastructure (e.g., Mocuba bridge and Malei-Pebane road). Provincial Governor Pio Matos reiterated that completion aligns with the current five-year mandate (2025–2029).

The project is prioritized under Mozambique's National Development Strategy (ENDE) 2025–2044, with a focus on reviving stalled initiatives post-cyclones and debt challenges. However, no groundbreaking ceremony or site mobilization has been confirmed beyond preparatory works like the 2019 Sopinho village foundation.

Timeline Expectations:

TML targets mid-2026 for physical construction start post-resettlement, with Phase 1 operations potentially by 2028–2029 (delayed from earlier 2024 projections). Full rail-port integration could take 3–5 years thereafter.

As of March 2024 (latest GEM Wiki update), revival was anticipated for mid-2024, but 2025 developments indicate further slippage. No September-specific updates emerged, suggesting steady but slow progress.

Challenges and Outlook

The project has a history of delays since the 2013 concession (initial start: 2016; multiple revisions to 2021, 2023, 2024). Key hurdles include:

  • Financing and Debt: Mozambique's public debt limits international loans; TML is negotiating with banks and investors (e.g., Bank of Mozambique approvals secured).
  • Environmental and Social: Category A status requires full impact assessments for mangroves, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems. Community protests over land and benefits persist, though 20% revenue sharing is mandated.
  • Economic Drivers: Rising coal prices and Portucel's needs provide momentum, but competition from Nacala and Beira ports (via Malawi routes) adds pressure.

Overall, 2025 marks progress in funding and planning, positioning Macuse as a strategic export hub without borders crossing. If resettlement concludes on schedule, construction could accelerate in early 2026, creating ~8,000 jobs and boosting Zambezia's GDP. Monitor updates from Mozambique's Ministry of Transport and Communications or TML for breakthroughs.