AD Ports inks 20-year deal for Luanda Multipurpose Port Terminal

Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has signed agreements with Angolan logistics and transport companies Unicargas and Multiparques, securing a 20-year concession (extendable for another 10 years) with the Luanda Port Authority for the operation and upgrade of the existing Luanda multipurpose port terminal in Angola. 

As a result, AD Ports Group will acquire an 81% stake in a joint venture that will operate the terminal, and a 90% stake in another joint venture that will serve the facility and the broader Angolan logistics market. 

The company has committed US$ 251 million to modernise the terminal and develop the logistics business over the next three years (2024-2026), with this investment potentially increasing to US$ 379 million over the concession term and in line with market demand. 

Under the terms of the terminal concession deal, the joint venture plans to upgrade the existing multipurpose facility to a container and Ro-Ro terminal, encompassing an enlarged concession area (178,000 sqm to 192,000 sqm); an upgraded quay wall; additional ship-to-shore cranes, gantry cranes and other equipment; expanded draft (9.5 metres to 16 metres); and, modernised IT systems. 

Redevelopment of the terminal is expected to be completed in Q3 2026, ultimately boosting its container handling volumes from 25,000 TEUs to 350,000 TEUs, and Ro-Ro volumes to over 40,000 vehicles. During the 3-year redevelopment, the terminal’s container volumes will be handled at a nearby berth, while excess volumes will be moved to Multiparques’ Viana inland container depot (ICD), to minimise impact on customers.

Furthermore, the group’s other joint venture with Unicargas will provide integrated logistics and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients. The business, to be operated by Noatum Logistics, part of AD Ports Group, will manage the movement of containers to Viana ICD and offer short and long-haul transport within Angola and to the neighbouring countries.

Specifically, Noatum will assume management and operations of Unicargas’ existing fleet of trucks and different logistics sites located across the country. In addition, it will invest in capacity upgrades including new machinery, reefer and flat-bed trucks. These will include upgrading of the company’s IT systems to plug in seamlessly across Noatum Logistics’ digital ecosystem.

“Through our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group, which is part of a broader effort involving multiple first-class stakeholders, we will transform the port into a modern, multi-faceted facility that will significantly enhance our logistic capacities and stimulate economic growth across Central-West Africa. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to modernise infrastructure and expand global trade access, promising a prosperous future for Angola and its partners,” said Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Transport, Angola, said.

“Supported by the vision of our wise leadership, the multipurpose terminal will be modernised to attract business from leading global shipping lines and offer the highest levels of service efficiency and quality, thereby benefitting our nations, partners, stakeholders and customers,” said Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

“At Unicargas, we view our partnership with AD Ports Group as a transformative opportunity to leverage global expertise and resources, to accelerate the modernisation and expansion of the Port of Luanda and logistics infrastructure. Together, we are committed to unlock new potentials, foster economic growth, and establish Angola as a key player in the global maritime trade landscape,” noted Joaquim Nazaré Pimentel da Piedade, Unicargas Management Committee Coordinator.

The Port of Luanda plays an important role in Angola’s economy as it handles more than 76% of the country’s container and general cargo volumes. In addition, it serves as one of the main transhipment hubs for Central-West Africa by enabling maritime trade access to land-locked countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

With a population of 34.5 million, growing at a rate of 3.2%, and a GDP of US$ 74 billion, the Republic of Angola is considered the sixth largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and a sizable domestic market also requiring meaningful gateway cargo volumes.  The country’s container volumes are projected to rise at an average annual rate of 3.3% over the next decade.