Mozambique: New Maritime Cabotage Concession System by 2027

• Mozambique plans to implement a maritime cabotage concession system by June 2027 to consolidate goods transport and improve coordination.
• The initiative includes specific concessions for wharves and a draft decree to revise the regulatory framework for maritime activities.
• The regulatory revision aims to address freight forwarder concerns and encourage national business sector participation.
• Since April 2025, over 200,000 tons of containerized cargo have been transported by sea, removing more than 19,000 trucks from roads.
• The Ministry of Transport and Logistics is responsible for monitoring the implementation of these new measures and plans.

Legal professionals and compliance officers should closely monitor the development of this draft decree to advise clients on potential new concession opportunities and the evolving regulatory landscape for maritime transport and logistics.

Mozambique's government is set to introduce a new Mozambique maritime cabotage concession system by June 2027. This strategic move aims to enhance the maritime transport of goods and foster better integration across various transport modes within the country. The initiative was highlighted as a key priority for developing this sector by João Matlombe, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, during the closing session of the Ministry's 2nd Coordinating Council, held recently in Macaneta, Southern Maputo Province.

Beyond the general cabotage system, the government's plans also encompass the implementation of specific concessions for wharves dedicated solely to cabotage operations. This aspect will involve collaborative efforts with state-owned enterprise Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM) and the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC). The comprehensive approach underscores a commitment to streamlining maritime logistics infrastructure.

A crucial component of this reform is the recently approved Merchant Marine Law and a new Maritime Transport Regulation, which revise the regulatory framework governing these maritime activities. This revision is specifically designed to address existing concerns voiced by freight forwarders and to actively encourage greater participation from the national business sector in maritime transport. The proposed changes signal a move towards a more inclusive and responsive regulatory environment.

This recently approved Mozambique cabotage regulations revision is expected to create new opportunities and compliance requirements. Legal professionals and compliance officers should closely monitor the development of this draft decree to advise clients on potential new concession opportunities and the evolving regulatory landscape for maritime transport and logistics. The June 2027 deadline for system implementation provides a clear timeframe for these preparations.

The strategic shift towards a concession-based Mozambique maritime cabotage concession system is rooted in the government's broader objective of improving logistics efficiency and strengthening economic competitiveness. Maritime cabotage is envisioned as an efficient, competitive, and complementary alternative to existing road transport, aiming to diversify options for goods movement. This strategy involves fostering greater coordination among ports, railways, roads, and key development corridors.

Recent data underscores the potential impact of this focus on maritime transport. Since April 2025, over 200,000 tons of containerized cargo, equivalent to more than 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), have been transported by sea. This volume effectively removed over 19,000 trucks from the nation's roads, demonstrating the tangible benefits of shifting freight to sea. Currently, two private companies utilize eight dedicated vessels for these operations, highlighting the existing capacity that the new system aims to expand and formalize.

The Coordinating Council emphasized the necessity of translating all decisions into concrete implementation plans. These plans must include established timelines, clearly defined responsibilities for various stakeholders, and verifiable outcomes to ensure accountability and progress. This structured approach is vital for the successful rollout of the new Mozambique maritime cabotage concession system.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics, under Minister João Matlombe, has been specifically tasked with the critical role of monitoring the execution of these approved measures. This oversight ensures that the strategic goals of consolidating maritime transport, improving logistics efficiency, and fostering national business participation are met effectively and within the stipulated timeframe.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the upcoming draft decree revising Mozambique's maritime cabotage regulatory framework and prepare to advise clients on new concession opportunities and compliance requirements for maritime transport and logistics by June 2027.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica