MSC Launches Afungi Shuttle Linking Nacala and Maputo to Mozambique LNG Project
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has launched the Afungi Shuttle, a new maritime service designed to strengthen logistics connectivity for the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project and support growing economic activity in northern Mozambique.
The new service connects Afungi, the site of the Mozambique LNG development in Cabo Delgado province, with dedicated feeder connections through the ports of Nacala and Maputo.
The service is expected to facilitate the movement of construction materials, machinery, industrial equipment, spare parts and other cargo required to support the development of the LNG project as construction activity accelerates.
Strengthening Afungi’s Supply Chain
MSC said the Afungi Shuttle has been developed to provide a more streamlined logistics solution for companies supplying the LNG project and other economic activities in northern Mozambique.
The service operates dedicated feeder rotations between Nacala and Afungi, as well as Maputo and Afungi, providing additional maritime connectivity for project cargo moving into the region.
The new shipping link is particularly significant as Mozambique LNG construction gathers momentum following the resumption of activities at the Afungi site.
By connecting Afungi with established maritime gateways, the service could help improve the reliability and coordination of cargo movements required for the construction and development of major energy infrastructure.
MSC said customers will be able to access Afungi through connections to major global trade routes serving Europe, the Mediterranean, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Southern Africa.
Simplifying Project Cargo Movements
One of the key features of the Afungi Shuttle is the integration of the feeder leg into a single MSC booking.
This provides customers with one commercial point of contact for shipments moving through the wider network and into Afungi, potentially simplifying cargo planning and coordination across multiple stages of the journey.
The dedicated rotations; Nacala–Afungi–Nacala and Maputo–Afungi–Maputo—are designed to improve connectivity between Mozambique’s major ports and the LNG project site.
For companies involved in the supply of equipment, machinery and materials, more direct maritime connections could help reduce logistical complexity as activity around Afungi expands.
The launch comes at a critical stage for Mozambique’s LNG industry. The TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project is advancing after construction activities resumed following a lengthy suspension linked to insecurity in Cabo Delgado.
The project is expected to play a major role in Mozambique’s ambitions to develop its natural gas resources, attract investment and establish the country as a significant LNG producer.
As construction progresses, demand for reliable transportation of equipment and project materials is expected to increase, making logistics infrastructure an increasingly important component of the development.
MSC’s new service therefore represents more than an additional shipping route. It strengthens the supply-chain infrastructure supporting one of Africa’s most significant energy projects.
The Afungi Shuttle also reinforces the strategic role of Nacala and Maputo as gateways for Mozambique’s expanding energy and industrial sectors.
Nacala, located in northern Mozambique, provides a critical maritime connection for cargo moving towards Cabo Delgado, while Maputo offers access to established regional and international trade networks in the south.
Linking both ports directly to Afungi gives project developers and suppliers additional options for moving cargo into northern Mozambique.
The expanded connectivity could also benefit businesses beyond the LNG sector as infrastructure development and economic activity increase across the region.
Logistics Key to Mozambique’s LNG Ambitions
The successful development of Mozambique’s LNG industry will depend not only on gas production and processing facilities but also on the strength of the logistics networks supporting them.
Efficient ports, shipping connections and project-cargo infrastructure will be essential for moving the heavy equipment, machinery and materials required to build and maintain large-scale energy facilities.
MSC’s Afungi Shuttle adds a dedicated maritime link to that growing logistics network, connecting the LNG project to Mozambique’s major ports and, through MSC’s global network, international markets.
As Mozambique LNG moves forward, stronger maritime connectivity could become increasingly important to maintaining construction momentum and supporting the broader development of northern Mozambique’s energy economy.
