Grindrod South Africa is sending one of its vessels to carry aid for Mozambique following the devastating cyclone Idai.

The 1,156-teu Border (built 1993) is currently serving the group's Southern African sea-freight business Ocean Africa Container Lines.

It will now travel from Maputo to Beira on Thursday.

A "much-needed relief cargo" is being assembled by local authorities and humanitarian aid organisations, it said.

The ship is due in Beira on Saturday.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Mozambique. We pray for their safety and hope that you all come through this without any harm,” said Andrew Waller, CEO of Grindrod.

Idai has killed hundreds of people in the country.