The Pemba Logistics hub in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, has secured funding for the first phase of the project.

The hub is expected to cost US$ 150 million and the environmental impact study is now underway.

Andre da Silva, chief executive of port management company Sociedade Portos de Cabo Delgado (PCD), says, the work is being carried out by Mozabican company ENH Logistics, a subsidiary of state oil and gas company Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) and may also be involved in both the construction and management of the hub.

PCD holds the 30 year concessions on the Port and Logistics Terminals of the Ports of Pemba and Palma.

An international tender was initially planned for the project, which may no longer be the case in order to meet deadlines for the project and to ensure that the facilities can start being used by 2018 when production of natural gas in the Rovuma basin is expected to begin.

PCD is a partnership between ENH and the Mozambican state port and railway company Caminhos de Ferro de Macambique, with each holding a 50 percent stake in the company.