The figures differ from the total USD 410 million investment announced at the time of the concession agreement signed in April last year. The project foresees an execution period of 18 months, during which a state-of-the-art infrastructure will be developed, incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable equipment. On Friday, Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports Group), in partnership with Unicargas and Multiparques, laid the foundation stone for the Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, located at the Port of Luanda, with an initial estimated investment of USD 250 million over the first three years, which could reach a total of up to USD 380 million over the 20-year concession period.
The figures differ from the total USD 410 million investment announced at the time of the concession agreement signed in April last year.
According to a statement, the project foresees an execution period of 18 months, during which a next-generation infrastructure will be developed, incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable equipment, giving the Port of Luanda a new strategic positioning as a competitive and efficient regional logistics hub serving Central and West Africa.
AD Ports Group holds an 81% stake in the multipurpose terminal and 90% in the Noatum Unicargas Logistics joint venture, the entity responsible for integrated logistics operations and fleet modernization, including refrigerated trucks and transport platforms.
The modernized terminal will feature three STS Super Post-Panamax cranes and eight hybrid Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, supported by advanced IT systems, aimed at boosting operational efficiency, promoting sustainability, and optimizing logistics operations, the institution explained.
Thus, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027, container handling capacity at the port will increase from 25,000 TEUs to 350,000 TEUs, while Ro-Ro operations are expected to exceed 40,000 vehicles.
“The modernization process will transform it into a benchmark infrastructure for general cargo, container, and Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) operations. With a total area of 192,000 square meters and a depth of 16 meters, it will be the only terminal at the Port of Luanda capable of receiving Super Post-Panamax vessels of up to 14,000 TEUs, thereby consolidating its strategic position within the regional logistics corridor,” the statement reads.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Transport, Ricardo D’Abreu, told the press that Angola has secured investment for the terminal’s renovation from these private partners.
“We are here to launch the cornerstone for the modernization of the Port of Luanda multipurpose terminal, in a partnership between Abu Dhabi Port, Unicargas, and Multiterminais. We have secured investment from these private partners for the structural innovation of this terminal,” he said. For the minister, the arrival of Noatum Ports Terminal, which replaces Unicargas’ multipurpose terminal, is a major step for the country in attracting the private investment Angola has been seeking. Part of this effort also involves a partnership between the port and DP World, another company from the United Arab Emirates.
With this new partnership, he stressed, a set of initiatives will also advance, particularly in the field of digitalization and process simplification, such as the Logistics Single Window (JUL) and a new version of the Port Single Window (JUPIII). This work is being developed between Abu Dhabi Ports Group and ARCCLA, and will facilitate all processes related to the logistical transit of goods in the country, he added.
For his part, Noatum Ports CEO Mohammed Al Tamimi stressed that this initiative will contribute to boosting exports, reducing import costs, and strengthening competitiveness at both national and regional levels. The project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across sectors such as logistics, maintenance, and port operations. In addition, training programs and corporate social responsibility initiatives will be implemented to support and empower local communities.
Source: Expansão
