The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) is planning to maximise use of the Nacala Port as an alternative route for transporting fuel imports as concerns surrounding petroleum products coming into the country through Beira deepen.
Recent reports indicate that some fuel tankers were intercepted while on their way to Malawi by unknown militia groups in Mozambique igniting suspicions of a fuel shortage hitting Malawi if authorities do not identify alternative routes to ferry the petroleum products.
Nocma Chief Executive Officer, Robert Mdeza, confirmed that Nocma is currently engaged in talks with the Central East African Railways (Cear) on the possibility of hauling fuel into the country through rail from the port of Nacala.
“We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cear for the construction of a rail line in Lilongwe. Cear has already identified the materials needed to implement the project and we are now going through the procurement process,” said Mdeza.
Mdeza said the proposed route would help the country to minimise pressure on fuel imports while at the same time saving resources.
“Our priority is to use Nacala because the port is deep and it can receive huge ships. And everything is set for us to go forward,” said Mdeza
Leave a Reply