Lourenco Marques in Delagoa Bay

Abstract

LOURENGO MARQUES has long been an important outlet for Southern Mozambique and one of the major gateways for the great mineral and industrial area of the Transvaal in the Union of South Africa. In August, 1955, the Pafuri Link or Limpopo Railway was completed, tying the port with the rapidly developing but landlocked areas of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and with the adjacent realm of Union Miniere du Haut Katanga in the southeastern Belgian Katanga. Beira in Central Mozambique previously handled 80 per cent of the total overseas trade of the Central African Federation, but congestion at that port and on its feeder rail lines made it necessary to secure a new outlet and the choice fell on Delagoa Bay.' Connected with several of the most vigorous economic regions of the continent (Fior 1 ) Lnrencn Marnies promises to achieve even greater significance as one of the outstanding African ports. An analysis of the harbor and port of Lourengo Marques and of its relations with the tributary areas is important in assessing the long-range transport programs of the Rhodesias, the Union, and Mozambique.