Evaluation of the Trade Routes of Malawi
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World Maritime University The Maritime Commons: Digital Repository of the World Maritime University World Maritime University Dissertations Dissertations 1989 Evaluation of the trade routes of Malawi Samuel Williard Frank Mazunjo Chiwaula WMU Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations Recommended Citation Chiwaula, Samuel Williard Frank Mazunjo, "Evaluation of the trade routes of Malawi" (1989). World Maritime University Dissertations. 847. https://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations/847 This Dissertation is brought to you courtesy of Maritime Commons. Open Access items may be downloaded for non- commercial, fair use academic purposes. No items may be hosted on another server or web site without express written permission from the World Maritime University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ["WhETUBRA^ WORLD I T I ML UW I VERS I TY MALMD, SWEDEN AN EVALUATION OF THE TRADE ROUTES OF MALAWI: A MODAL APPROACH by SAMUEL WILLIARD FRANK MAZUNJO CHIWAULA A paper submitted to the faculty of the World Maritime University in partial satisfaction o+ the requirements for the at^ia;rd of a M#=»ST-ER OR SCIEMCE DEOREE GENERAL MARITIME ADMINISTRATION 1 hF= contents of this paper reflect my per b on a 1 vie^ws and a r e n o t. n e c: e s s aril y end cs e d b y t h e U n i v e r s i t y „ Si Qnature; Date ='25- Supervised and assessed by Professor P.M. Alderton World Maritime Universit'^ Co-assessed by; Dr. C.S. Lalwani Un i ver s i t y of Wa 1 es „ Dedicated to my beloved mother, Hilda Amity Chi waula and late -father, Al-fred Manning Chiwaula F=>Fi:E:F^<=tCE: Transportation has played a major and almost legendary role in shaping national development in all the economies o-f the world. It has long been linked with the process o-f economic development, be it at the local or national level, and it is not surprising that transport policies have often, except in rare cases, been viewed as having development objectives. This shares the notion that by opening new markets and allowing access to raw materials, the cost of production could be reduced as a result of economies of scale reaped from the great abundance of inputs which make it possible to produce large quantities of commodities. It goes without saying then that the very survival of Malawi, just like any other country, depends basically on the flow of commodities she produces and recieves fr-om other countries. The importance of transportation to Malawi is amplified by her land lockedness. Unfortunately, despite being landlocked, Malawi’s transport problems have been compounded by the insurgents in Mozambique. The mid eighties has seen the closure of some trade routes of Malawi and opening of others. This paper has tried to give the background, present status, and future outlook of the transport industry in Malawi. A cross-examination of the transport modes and the trade routes has been given and an attempt regarding their economic operation has been made. The paper is not aimed at bringing radical changes to any established set up in view of financial and other implications but to put forward some proposals which can form guidlines in the decision making process by the Government, transport U) operators and users- I am greatly indebted to Chris and Catherine Chi waul a, Lewin Chirwa, and Mama, Hilda Amity Chi waul a, who worked hard to see me become what I am. 1 would like to acknowledge with thanks the petience and guidance my course pro-fessor , J .Mlynarcsyk , rendered to me during my two years ot study and also Professor P.A. Alderton of World Maritime University and Dr. C.S. Lalwani of University of Wales, Institute of Science and Technology for accepting.to assess my thesis and providing guidance during the preparation. To all my teachers, lecturers, and professors, I only say yoQ have been great to me. I am most grateful to Mr B.D. Chithila for the assistance he gave my family and me during the two years I spent abroad and my research. I would also like to make special mention of my dearest friends and collegues; Mr C. Masoo, Lupakisyo Kalambo, F. Mtonga, Albrt Nkana, I.M. Phiri, Bhanu Vibhatabaedth, and everyone in the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the considerable support and assistance they gave me during my academic. life. I pay special tribute to my wife’s forebearance and enthusiasm during many a lost months. I would also like to thank my long suffering children for allowing me to be away from them for such a long time. Lastly but not least, baba, you sowed a seed the fruits of which you have not seen. One of the things I can never forget is your advice. SWFMC 39/08/08 #=%ckmouji_e;e>be:me:imts The author wishes to acknowledge the generous assistance and contributions provided by the -following companies and organizations: AMI PRESS (MALAWI) Ltd, Blantyre Department o-f Civil Aviation, Lilongwe Katundu Haulage, Limbe Malawi Railways Ltd, Limbe Ministry o-f Transport and Communi cati on, Lilongwe? Press Transport (1975) Ltd, Blantyre Road Tra-f-fic Department, Blantyre Star International Haulage Ltd, Limbe Transport Planning Unit (EPS<D,OPC), Lilongwe UNDP, Lilongwe. Uili LIST OF=' #=»CR:OlNJYMS ADMARC Agricultural Marketing Cooperation CCE Chief Civil Engineer CME Chief Mechanical Engineer CTM Chief Traffic Manager DS Dockyard Superintendent lATA International Air Transport Association ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization IMD International Maritime Organization MARPOL Maritime Pollution Prevention (Convention 1978) MK Malawi Kwacha (national currency) MR Malawi Railways Limited NCR Northern Corridor Route OB Operations Superintendent PTA Preferential Trade Area SADCC Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference SATCC Southern Africa Transport‘and Communications Commission SOLAS International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea WMO World Meteorological Organization Ciw-X -r<=%BL_E: OF^ COINJ-TEMTS Page ...............................................................................<i> F^ez:l< r»c3wl t s- ............................(iii) l_± st C3H= F^czr-czm-iv'^Tis , ...........................(iv) I n-tr-czjcJi-icz-t x cxn 1.1.0 Obj ecti ves................................................ ................ 1 1.2.0 Scope o-f the paper.........................................................1 • 1.3.0 sources of information..........................................1 1.4.0 History and topography..... 1.5.0 Socio-economic Factors............ Evco 1 i_iic. X €z>n cuHF t r-spa €=>i^-t x czm in M-s.l.etvsix 2.0.0 Introducti on ................... 6 2.1.0 Inland water transport system...........7 2.1.1 Background ........... 7 2.1.2 Current operations of water transport in Malawi..................... .9 2.1.3 Ports.... ......................... ......12 2.1.4 Water transport................ 14 2.2.0 Rail transport 2.2.1 Background..................... 21 2.2.2 Operations of the rail transport.......23 2.3.0 Road transport..... -................... 25 2.4.0 Role of the Ministry of Transport and Communications............ ..26 2.5.0 The Legal regime of transportation in Malawi 28 r~eicdle Rouites 3.1.0 The operations o-f transit routes o-f Malawi................ 3.2.0 Performance of the trade routes. 3.3.0 Government regulations on routes 3.3.1 Ax 1 e-1 oad limit............ 37 -.!> • O' ■ 2 Internal haulage distance limit. 40 O' m O* a O' Road tolls....................... 40 3.4.0 Government subsidies............ 42 Mocdl^l dntcoicce 4.0.0 Introduction........................ 4.1.0 Transport selection................. 4.1.1 Road transport............... ...... 4.1.2 Rai 1................................. 4,1.3 Water transport..................... ^ a 2 a C) Evaluation of Malawi-’s trade routes and transport mode.......... 4.2. 1 Pilferaae.................... ...... 4.2.2 Del avs.... .......................... 4.2.3 Size of shipments.................. 4.3.0 Energy consumption................. 4.4.0 Containerization/pal1etization..... 4.5.0 Real transport costs............... 4.6.0 Modal Choi ce............. .......... 5 F=*r-C3sp3&c=:ts co-F -tt-io 11- s|o cr»r-1 sec=:-ticzn- ± n M&l 5.0.0 Introduction 67 5.1.0 AutonomouB water transport operation....67 5.2.0 Autonomous Port Authority.... .......... 69 5.3.0 Future o-f rail and road transports..... 72 5.4.0 Establishment o-f Shippers Association......................... .....75 <£31 Summ-ar-v’ ......... ........... ............. Etxlol ±C30»^'S».|=1'I~»V ..... .................BO po pj ^ n cJ X >c 82 cm<=»i=te:f: i I IMTFtODLJCT I OM 1.1.0 OBJECTIVES The main objectives o-f this paper are; a) Evalua-te the performance o-f the trade routes and transport modes available to Malawi and b) Propose possible improvements for adoption by all those involved in the transport sector. 1.2.0 SCOPE OF THE PAPER The paper gives a general picture of transport operation in Malawi. The approach used in the paper is that of how it has been done, how it is being done, and finally how it should be done. Air transport has not been included because of its insignificant contribution to the movement of Malawi’s trade. The paper has been restricted to Malawi's international cargo flow mainly within her territory since outside this she cannot exercise any control of traffic movement apart from negotiating with her counterparts. 1.3.0 SOURCES OF INFORMATION Information used in writing this paper was obtained % from; library research, field research during which major 1 3 Asmara ,Zinder ,AI Fashir SUDAN Kano. Maiduguri* Addis NIGERIA Ababa* V - - - wv ''" .Wavir ETHIOPIA CENTRAL s African! republic / CAMEROON Juba, ----- koouaja .:;X; ‘ Bangui Malabo^V^ *Yaound6 Lakt: JATORIAL ' 'Ruiloll 3UJNEA Tn, ^OGANDA] HAND / VD„,n| _ i ;iPE / Y .Kisangani Kampala KENYA m6'^ / ^Libreville y ■ r-." z"* GABON ^Nairobi :ONGO/ ligali ZAIRE rwanda/^^ ■ -iBKtr BURUND|'^^p^Jjy,.g i/irtOf*ia Brazzavilley /Mombas; .