Grindrod Matola Port Master Plan
Planning the next 50 years of Grindrod Terminal de Carvão da Matola
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 engineers. The purpose of the study was to investigate optimal expansion options for a terminal master plan, as well as a next phase expansion developed as an aligned subset of the master plan.
The challenge to integrate old with new technologies
Developing a solution that improved operational practices and provided sufficient redundancy was a challenge with a 56-year-old terminal. A major consideration was also constructability to minimise the impact of the expansion on existing operations.
The BMH and rail solutions had to consider possible marine and wetland reclamation, and had to be flexible to allow for the terminal to expand in the future, as the land availability in the proximity of the terminal was a problem.
Taking the long-term view
Zutari adopted a top-down methodology that considered the best possible long-term master plan and then aligned the next phase with it.
Favourable port and marine, BMH, and rail solutions were developed by performing a comprehensive discipline-specific multi-criteria analysis (MCA). The design options that scored the highest in the discipline-specific MCA were carried through to a combined MCA, which considered the ease of integration of the various disciplines.
This integrated approach identified the preferred terminal layouts, considering a multitude of influencing factors covered by the various scoring criteria, such as health and safety, the environmental and social impacts, the net present value (NPV), and constructability.
Zutari’s integrated and collaborative approach between disciplines, and regular client consultations enabled the project team to derive a co-creative solution with the client that was cost-effective and feasible
Well-received design
Developing a solution that improved operational practices and provided sufficient redundancy was a challenge with a 56-year-old terminal.
Zutari’s integrated and collaborative approach between disciplines, and regular client consultations enabled the project team to derive a co-creative solution with the client that was cost-effective and feasible, and helped build a strong client relationship.
The outcome of the study was presented to the Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM)/Mozambique Ports and Railways as well as the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), and Zutari’s unique design solution was very well received.
The study’s findings provided a clear path for short-, medium- and long-term expansion at the terminal, with a robust solution that caters for multiple commodities to be exported through the terminal.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
