ZPMC to supply STS & RTG cranes for AD Ports’ projects in Africa

Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has awarded contracts worth over AED 420 million (US$ 114.3 million) to China’s ZPMC for the supply of six STS cranes and 17 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. These cranes  are intended for AD Ports’ terminal projects in Pointe Noire’s New East Mole Terminal in the Republic of the Congo and Noatum Ports’ Luanda Terminal in Angola.

The order is being placed within the framework of AD Ports Group’s 30-year concession agreement to develop and operate a multipurpose terminal in Pointe Noire Port and the 20-year concession agreement to modernise and operate the Luanda Terminal.

Under the awarded contracts, the Pointe Noire and Luanda terminals will each receive three Super Post-Panamax STS cranes, capable of spanning 21 container rows. On the other hand, the Pointe Noire will receive nine hybrid RTGs, while Luanda terminal will receive eight hybrid RTGs. AD Ports said the hybrid RTGs can save up to 60% diesel in comparison to the traditional diesel RTGs, equivalent to one million liters per year and approximately 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

“We are pleased to advance our concession agreements in Angola and Congo. These cranes play a crucial role in modern port operations. In line with the vision of our wise leadership to enhance trade and promote investment relations with key global partners, we are committed to investing in our terminals’ infrastructure and adopting advanced, innovative technology solutions to add value to our customers and partners and benefit the economies we operate in,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

“As the world market leader in STS cranes and ports equipment, ZMPC’s global footprint is unparalleled, as is the strength of our specialist upgrades teams. We are pleased to expand this multi-year partnership with our key client AD Ports Group to supply state-of-the-art Super Post-Panamax STS cranes for its expansion into Africa,” said Ruikai You, Party Secretary and Chairman of ZMPC.

In June 2023, AD Ports Group signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Congo for the management and operation of the multipurpose New East Mole Terminal in Pointe-Noire. With an estimated US$ 500 million to be invested over the duration of the concession, the terminal is set to handle container, general cargo, breakbulk and various other types of cargo. In addition, in April 2024 AD Ports Group signed agreements for 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. For this project, AD Ports Group has committed an estimated US$ 250+ million towards the modernisation of the terminal and development of the logistics business over the next three years, with this investment potentially increasing to US$379 million over the concession term.