Vale declared force majeure on Mozambique coal export shipments in Tete province after heavy rains hampered transport operations, according to a securities filing. In a press release, Brazilian company officials further cited “operational difficulties” since early February preventing coal from its Moatize mine reaching Beira Port via the Sena rail line. In all, the company has reported that Zambezi River flooding thwarted the delivery of 250,000 metric tons of coking coal.
Mozambican port and rail company CFM “is taking all necessary measures to re-establish rail traffic, and the situation should be normalized by the end of the month,” added the company. Vale hopes to be independent of the Sena line through a new railway across southern Malawi connecting with Mozambique’s existing northern line; this will enable access to the Port of Nacala.
