Mozambique has a long Indian Ocean coastline and three major port corridors. Maputo serves the south and neighbouring South Africa and Eswatini, Beira serves central Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and Nacala serves the north and Malawi.
This is part of the IFN country guide series. It explains how cargo moves into and out of Mozambique, and links to the freight network we run at IFN for shippers who need a vetted partner there. The logistics network section covers membership in more detail.
That corridor role shapes the market. Mozambican forwarders handle a mix of the country’s own imports and exports, including coal, aluminium, gas and agricultural products, plus substantial transit cargo for landlocked neighbours.
What drives freight demand in Mozambique
Mozambican freight demand is built on:
- Corridor transit cargo. South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia all use Mozambican ports for some traffic.
- Mining and energy exports. Coal, aluminium, heavy sands and liquefied natural gas drive significant export volumes.
- Agricultural exports. Sugar, cashew, cotton, timber and bananas move to regional and international markets.
- Infrastructure and project cargo. Road, port, power and gas projects require heavy equipment and specialised handling.
Ports, airports and gateways
The main Mozambican gateways:
- Maputo: the southern port serving the capital region and cross border traffic to South Africa and Eswatini
- Beira: the central port and the main gateway for Zimbabwe, also handling transit to Malawi and Zambia
- Nacala: the northern deep water port serving Malawi, Zambia and northern Mozambique
- Pemba and Mocimboa da Praia: northern ports linked to gas development and regional trade
What moves in and out of Mozambique
Main exports: coal, aluminium, natural gas, heavy mineral sands, sugar, cashew nuts, cotton, timber and electricity.
Main imports: fuel, machinery, vehicles, food staples, construction materials, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Port and corridor selection is the defining decision in Mozambique. Each corridor has different capacity, congestion and border characteristics, so ask your forwarder to justify the routing they propose.
Practical notes for Mozambican freight
Corridor congestion varies
Beira and the Zimbabwe border can become congested at peak periods. Ask for current transit times rather than historical averages.
Border paperwork is decisive
Transit documentation for Zimbabwe, Malawi or Zambia must be complete. Choose a forwarder who owns that process rather than handing it to a broker at the border.
Project cargo needs route surveys
Northern gas and mining projects involve abnormal loads. Permits and road surveys should start months ahead.
IFN members based in Mozambique
We currently have 1 IFN member in Mozambique, all individually vetted before admission and covered by our cargo payment protection programme:
- IBUSINESS & SERVICES – SOC. UNIP. LDA (ibs.co.mz)
Further partners can be found in the full member directory, and new Mozambican members are added as they pass vetting.
Why Mozambican freight forwarders join IFN
- Global partners without the guesswork. Access more than 235 vetted companies in over 93 countries through the freight network, so you can quote lanes you do not cover yourself.
- Protected payments. Cargo payment protection covers member to member transactions up to $30,000, which removes the biggest risk in cross border freight.
- Inbound cargo. International partners route requests to the Mozambican member who can handle them, so membership brings work in rather than only sending it out.
- Visibility. A verified profile in the member directory and promotion through the IFN marketing channels.
- Face to face business. Members meet each year at IFN Global Connect, where most long term partnerships actually start.
- Clear rules. Every member accepts the code of ethics, and breaches are published, so quality is enforced rather than promised.
Membership runs from $750 a year. You can compare the tiers on the membership plans page, and the logistics network overview explains what the network does day to day.
Related country guides
You can also visit our freight network page for Mozambique, which explains what IFN membership gives companies based there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a reliable freight forwarder in Mozambique?
Use a vetted network. IFN members are screened before admission, carry cargo payment protection and accept a code of ethics, which gives you recourse on corridor shipments.
Which Mozambican port should my cargo use?
Maputo for South African and Eswatini traffic, Beira for Zimbabwe and central Mozambique, Nacala for Malawi and northern traffic.
Can Mozambican forwarders handle Zimbabwe transit?
Yes, the Beira corridor to Zimbabwe is one of the region’s best established transit routes. Ask about border times and transit bond arrangements.
Need a Mozambican freight partner?
Send us your cargo and destination and we will introduce the Mozambican member who covers it. Mozambican forwarders with corridor or mining experience can apply to join IFN.
Apply for IFN membership or compare the membership plans. You can also browse the member directory first, or contact the IFN team with your lane and we will tell you who covers it.
Source note: market and gateway details in this guide are compiled by the IFN editorial team from public trade and port data, and refreshed as members and coverage change.
