The basic project for the construction of the deep-water port in Amboim was presented on Wednesday in the city of Porto-Amboim, Cuanza-Sul province. The Secretary of State for Transport, Aviation, Maritime Services, and Ports, Rui Carreira, who presented the project on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Ricardo d’Abreu, stated that the plan for the construction of the deep-water port will have an immeasurable impact on the social and economic areas of the region.
“This project is not just another infrastructure project, but a true symbol of progress, which will have a significant impact on the lives of Angolans,” he said.
The maritime coastline of Cuanza-Sul province spans 1,700 kilometers, served by six ports. According to the Secretary of State, the future port in the municipality of Amboim will be situated between two major ports, Luanda and Lobito.
He emphasized that the National Development Plan (PND) for the period 2023/2027 sets ambitious goals, such as increasing the contribution of the Maritime and Port sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which should rise from 17.4 billion kwanzas in 2022 to 48.4 billion kwanzas by 2050. He underlined that the deep-water port in Amboim will be a vital pillar for increasing GDP and strengthening the country’s logistics capabilities.
In recent years, the government has been working on implementing several initiatives aimed at modernizing and expanding the Maritime and Port sectors, in order to achieve results that support the development of the Transport sector.
“The expansion and modernization program for the Transport and Logistics sector is one of the main tools we are using to create a favorable business environment,” he noted.
Cargo movement
Regarding cargo movement, Rui Carreira anticipated that the program envisions increasing cargo handling capacity, projecting a flow of 20.9 million tons by 2027 and 48.4 million tons by 2050. This will be supported by the construction of the Amboim deep-water port, with the goal of turning the infrastructure into a transport hub in the South Atlantic.
To achieve the Executive’s objectives, Rui Carreira stated that the project should be based on four pillars: transparency, participation, sustainability, and social harmony.
Port project
The Director of Infrastructure and Works, Ximuto Cunha, said that the project design took two years and highlighted the benefits that will arise after the completion of the project, which will be implemented over an area of 625 hectares. According to Ximuto Cunha, the public presentation and consultation session is an important step toward starting the works later this year.
He added that the construction will occur in two phases, with completion expected by 2030.
Without disclosing the cost of the project, he mentioned that it will be carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The future Amboim deep-water port will include merchant marine services, areas for cargo loading and unloading, containerization, and a cruise terminal, which will boost commercial tourism, along with a dock for promoting water sports in the region.
The project also includes the construction of a building to house the services of the Port Authority, Immigration, Foreigners, Border Police, and the Fire Department, aiming to optimize service delivery in a comprehensive manner.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Amboim Port, Nelson da Piedade dos Santos, listed several benefits of the port infrastructure in the region, highlighting job creation for local youth and others. According to him, the revival of complementary projects and the enhancement of available resources are crucial for the province, the country, the Southern region, and the African continent.
Source: Jornal de Angola
