Total earnings jumped by 12 per cent in 2006 to US$29 million, said Carlos Mesquita, director of Cornelder Mozambique, the operator that has run the port since its privatisation in 1998.

The port, said by its operators to be the most modern in southern Africa, is a vital gateway for Mozambique as well as neighbours Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania.

Mesquita said the 150 000 tonnes of exports comprised mainly minerals but also included fish and other products to several African and international destinations from the landlocked Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe as well as Tanzania.

"Malawi and Zambia are doing quite well and we are already targeting a 10 per cent increase in 2007, and we can double that number if things change in Zimbabwe," Mesquita told Reuters by telephone from Beira.

He said this year would be the first that the privatised port would record double-digit increase in earnings and volumes.

Cornelder Mozambique, based in the central province of Sofala, some 1 300 km north of the capital Maputo, is owned 67 per cent by Cornelder Holdings of the Netherlands.

Mozambique Ports and Railway Co CFM owns the remaining stake.

The strategic Beira Port, which is due to be rehabilitated from April 2007, has been operating well below capacity since Cornelder took over despite an injection of US$25 million to revive operations.

"For the first time ever, we are registering a double-digit growth and we are keen to changes on the current economic situation in Zimbabwe, but in 2007, we are aiming at another 10 per cent increase," said Mesquita.

He said a planned mega coal project in the northern province of Tete, in which Brazilian investors are set to pour in US$1,2 billion would bring the Beira harbour to its full operational capacity.

Intensive rehabilitation of the port is due in April 2007, and the tender would be launched a month earlier, he said.

Nampa-Reuters

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