Port Operations Suspended and South African Border Closed 突发！港口暂停运营！南非边境关闭！

Image Credit: the Internet

图片源于网络

Recently, large-scale protests erupted in Mozambique, a southern African country, resulting in at least 30 deaths, frequent large-scale looting incidents, severe damage to infrastructure, and posing a potential threat to public safety. In response, neighboring South Africa has taken a series of important measures, including closing its borders and suspending port operations, which has had a significant impact on logistics and the economy in the region.

近日，非洲南部国家莫桑比克爆发大规模抗议活动，造成至少 30 人死亡，大规模抢劫事件频发，基础设施严重损毁，对公共安全构成潜在威胁。邻国南非随即采取一系列重要措施，包括关闭边境与暂停港口运营，这对该地区的物流和经济产生了重大影响。

South African Border Closure

南非关闭边境

Concerning about public safety, South Africa has temporarily closed its main border with Mozambique. The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) announced the closure of the Lebombo border post due to vehicles being burned on the Mozambican side of the border. Dr. Michael Masiapato, the BMA Commissioner, urged the freight industry to suspend transportation through this post and recommended using alternative routes until the situation stabilizes.

南非出于公共安全考虑，暂时关闭了与莫桑比克的主要边境。南非边境管理局（BMA）宣布关闭 Lebombo 边境口岸，原因是莫桑比克边境一侧有车辆被焚毁。BMA 专员 Michael Masiapato 博士敦促货运行业暂停通过该口岸的运输，建议在局势稳定前采用其他路线。

This border closure is expected to affect the flow of goods and commodities in the region, presenting a serious challenge to logistics between South Africa and Mozambique. According to Gavin Kelly, the CEO of the Road Freight Association, the closure of the Lebombo border post and the disruption of cargo transportation at Maputo Port result in a daily loss of 10 million rand to the South African economy. In addition, hundreds of trucks carrying cargo, including a large amount of chrome, are stranded. South Africa is the world's largest exporter of chrome, and Maputo Port is a crucial hub for chrome exports.

此次边境关闭预计将影响地区货物和商品流通，南非和莫桑比克之间的物流面临严峻挑战。据公路货运协会首席执行官 Gavin Kelly 称，Lebombo 边境口岸关闭及马普托港货物运输中断，每天给南非经济造成 1000 万兰特损失。此外，数百辆载有货物（包括大量铬）的卡车被困，南非是世界最大铬出口国，马普托港是重要铬出口枢纽。

Maputo Port Operations Suspended

马普托港运营暂停

Due to the unrest, operations at Maputo Port have also been suspended. Logistics operators have announced the suspension of their port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola to ensure the safety of their employees. This follows the closure of the Lebombo border crossing connecting South Africa and Mozambique and the suspension of railway operations.

由于动乱，马普托港运营也已暂停。物流运营商宣布暂停其在马普托和马托拉的港口及码头业务，以确保员工安全。此前，连接南非和莫桑比克的 Lebombo 边境口岸关闭，铁路运营暂停。

Maputo Port is the largest commercial port in Mozambique and one of the largest ports in the region, with a general cargo area and a dedicated bulk terminal area, featuring more than 20 berths. Its throughput reached 21 million tons in 2020. Its strategic geographical location is of great importance to trade with neighboring countries.

马普托港是东非莫桑比克最大商港及地区最大港口之一，分杂货港区和散货专用码头区，有 20 多个泊位。2020 年吞吐量达 2100 万吨。其地理位置优越，对周边国家的贸易往来具有重要意义。

Impact on Trade

对贸易的影响

Of particular concern is that Mozambique is one of Chinese important sources of tropical timber in Africa. In the first nine months of 2024, Mozambique's total timber exports to China reached 117,800 cubic meters, a 25% increase year-on-year, with Maputo Port handling a large volume of coal, ore, oil, timber, and other import and export business for the country. The current instability in Mozambique may have potential impacts on trade and related industries between the two countries, and the subsequent situations are worth close attention.

特别值得关注的是，莫桑比克是我国重要的非洲热带木材供应来源之一。2024 年前九个月，莫桑比克对中国出口木材总量达 11.78 万立方米，同比增长 25%，马普托港承担着该国煤、矿石、石油、木材等大量进出口业务。此次莫桑比克的局势动荡，可能对两国贸易及相关产业产生潜在影响，后续发展值得密切关注。