Page 10 - MPA ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017

DRIVEN BY PASSION AND PRIDE

DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S

Report

ESTABLISH THE HARBOUR AS AN EFFECTIVE
ONE STOP SHOP FOR PORT RELATED SERVICES

The Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) has realised an excellent operational performance during the period
under review. The Port registered a total traffic of 11.1 million tonnes whilst container traffic stood at
567,850 TEUS over the 18 months period from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2017. Noticeable improvements
have been achieved in several segments of port trade such as containerised cargo, fish and bunkering.
As a result of the exceptional trade performance, strict budgetary controls and prudent financial
management, the MPA has derived a total revenue of Rs 2.203 billion from its activities and realized
a net surplus of Rs 692.9 million over the 18 months period under review, during which the Authority
continued to focus on major infrastructure planning and development, operational improvements and
financial sustainability.
There has been a marked improvement in global trade in 2017 compared to 2016. However, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that growth in world trade volume will reduce to 4% in
2018 as compared to a projected figure of 4.2% in 2017, on account of growing concerns regarding US
protectionism and a slowdown in the Chinese economy. Emerging economies in Asia, Africa and Latin
America are however expected to register sustained growth in the foreseeable future, which will continue
to boost port traffic in the South Western Indian Ocean region.

Total Cargo traffic reached a new record figure of 7.5 million tonnes (+6.8%)

Trade performance at Port Louis has been robust during the last Financial Year (1 July 2016 – 30 June
2017) despite a moderate rise in the country’s economic growth rate. Total Cargo traffic reached a new
record figure of 7.5 million tonnes (+6.8%) and for the first time, the volume of bunker supplied to vessels
has exceeded 400,000 tonnes (404,837 MT) representing a growth of 39.1% compared to the previous
Financial Year. Moreover, Port Louis registered some 31,000 cruise passengers (+7.5%) during that period.
The Container segment has also shown signs of recovery with an increase of 7.5% in total throughput
driven by laden imports (+3.1%) and transhipment (+19.8%). It is also worth noting that the total number
of vessels calling at the Outer Harbour for ancillary activities has increased during the last Financial Year
following the attractive incentives granted by the MPA to establish the Harbour as an effective one stop
shop for port related services.

A new Port Master Plan has been elaborated and will serve as a roadmap for the infrastructure development
and land use in the port up to the Horizon 2040. The MPA has already invested around Rs 6.5 billion for

8 MAURITIUS PORTS AUTHORITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17