The construction of the Pemba Port Logistical Base, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, is set to start in January 2015 with the first phase of construction budgeted at US$150m. The first phase will include the building of the logistical base and the installations for the production and assembly of the subsea equipment used in the hydrocarbon industry. The new port in the city of Pemba will have a 300 meter dock capable of receiving ships with a maximum draught of 12 meters and a variety of other facilities on a 36-hectare plot.
The facility will support the hydrocarbon industry in the Rovuma Basin, where huge amounts of natural gas have been discovered. The logistical base has been sub-leased to the recently formed company ENHILS, which is composed of Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH) and the Nigerian company Orlean Invest who have extensive international experience in developing logistical bases to support the hydrocarbon industry. This venture is the first of its kind in Mozambique.
The environmental impact assessment of the proposed development is currently underway. This will pave the way for the construction phase to begin in January. It is expected that the project will be completed by 2016. A huge liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is to be built nearby at Palma to process natural gas. Palma will have a dedicated port, with the first shipment not expected before 2018.
