The following institutions play an important and distinctive role in the Freeport sector.

Customs and Excise Department

The principal interest and concern of Customs in Freeport is the control of goods moving to and from the zones to see that all revenue is collected properly, and that there is no evasion of duties and taxes. It ensures that laws and regulations governing the merchandise are fully respected. This concern includes measures to ensure that merchandise is not, or has not been overtly or clandestinely, removed from the zone without proper Freeport documentation. Since the creation of the Freeport, Customs have acted as a facilitator and worked in partnership with the Board of Investment - Freeport Unit in controlling and managing Freeport zones.

Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA)

MPA’s mandate is to develop and operate sea ports in Mauritius, including navigation, and control shipping within the port area, whereas the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL) undertakes all stevedoring and cargo handling activities in the port area. It employs and manages the dockworkers but it uses the facilities provided by the MPA.

The MPA is a new entity which replaced MMA following the Port Acts of 1998. It has invested massively in a modernisation programme aimed at enhancing the overall competitiveness of the port. A new container terminal of an annual storage capacity of 200,000 TEUs and a quay of 560 metres has been built at Mer Rouge.

The quay is equipped with three Post Panamax gantry cranes imported from South Korea. The new container terminal is managed by the CHC under a concession agreement between the World Bank and MPA. It started its operation in January 1999. 

Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd

The Cargo Handling Corporation Limited (CHCL) manages port handling operations: Loading, unloading, delivery and reception. The CHCL is a full fledged operator, which has entered into concession contract with the Mauritius Ports Authority for general cargo, dry cargo and container handling at Port Louis. 

Airport of Mauritius Ltd 

Airports of Mauritius Limited (AML) owns, operates, develops and manages the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and the Department of Civil Aviation oversees aviation operations including air traffic control, licensing and regulations of aircrafts and crews, meteorology and communication.

AML carries out all operations of the airport and is responsible for passengers and cargo handling, whereas Air Mauritius is the sole company involved in the handling of re-export cargo 



 

Last Updated: 5/24/2005 3:15:30 PM