Abu Dhabi Ports Group concluded a number of agreements with Unicargas and Multiparks, which led to the signing of a 20-year concession agreement (extendable for another ten years) with the Luanda Ports Authority to modernize and operate the Luanda Multi-Purpose Terminal in Angola.
Under the agreements with Unicargas and Multi Parks, two logistics and transportation companies in the country, Abu Dhabi Ports Group acquired an 81% stake in a joint venture that will operate the terminal, and a 90% stake in another joint venture that will provide services to the terminal and to… The Angolan logistics market in general.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group will invest US$251 million to modernize the terminal and develop the logistics center over the next three years (2024-2026), with the possibility of increasing the investment value to US$379 million over the course of the concession period and subject to market demand.
The Port of Luanda is the main sea gateway along the coast of Angola, and plays a major role in supporting the local economy of Angola, as it handles more than 76% of containers and general cargo in the country. It also enjoys a distinguished location that allows it to accommodate the expected growth opportunities in container handling volumes in the country. , which is expected to rise at an average annual rate of 3.3% over the next decade.
The port is one of the main centers for transshipment services in the Central West Africa region, through which it supports maritime trade in landlocked countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Ricardo de Abreu, Angolan Minister of Transport, said: “The port of Luanda is the main maritime gateway to Angola and a vital center for supplying trade and strengthening the economy in the region. Through our strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports Group, within the framework of a broader partnership with a number of stakeholders, we are ready to transform the port into a modern multi-purpose facility that will contribute significantly to enhancing our logistical capabilities and stimulating our economic growth throughout the Central West Africa region. This cooperation also constitutes a milestone in our journey towards modernizing infrastructure and facilitating access to global trade markets, leading us towards a promising future for Angola and its partners.”
- Framework agreement
Meanwhile, Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamsi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said: “The signing of these agreements today with our Angolan partners comes in implementation of the framework agreement that the group signed last year with the Angolan government in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. . In line with the insightful vision of our wise leadership, through developing the multi-purpose terminal we aim to attract the business of leading global shipping lines and provide the highest levels of efficiency and quality of service, which will greatly benefit the economies of our countries, our partners, stakeholders and customers.”
While Joaquim da Piedad, Coordinator of the Management Committee at Unicargas, said: “Our partnership at Unicargas with Abu Dhabi Ports Group represents an opportunity to create a radical transformation where we can benefit from global expertise and resources to accelerate the development and expansion of the Port of Luanda and the logistics infrastructure. We will continue to work together to explore new opportunities and capabilities, contribute to the development of the economy, and consolidate Angola’s position as a major player in the global maritime trade sector.”
Mohammed Aidha Tannaf Al Menhali, Regional CEO – Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said: “We are pleased to see these historic agreements come to fruition, as Angola is a very important partner for our group. We look forward to working with the local management and field teams in both “Unicargas” and “Multi Parks” to benefit from our experience and capabilities to ensure a smooth passage of the transitional phase and provide new opportunities for business growth and development.”
According to the terms of the concession agreement, the joint project will carry out a major modernization of the current multi-purpose terminal to transform it into a container and vehicle handling terminal. The concession area will expand from 178,000 square meters to 192,000 square metres, and the quay wall will also be modernized. adding dock cranes, gantry cranes and other modern equipment; In addition to expanding the submersible depth from 9.5 meters to 16 meters, and developing information technology systems.
The redevelopment of the terminal is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2026, ultimately increasing container handling volumes from 25,000 TEU to 350,000 TEU, and increasing vehicle handling volumes to more than 40,000 TEU.
During the redevelopment phase, which will take three years, the terminal’s container handling operations will be transferred to a nearby dock, while excess handling volumes will be transferred to the Viana internal container warehouse of Multi Marques, which will contribute to reducing the effects of the development operations on customers’ activities. .
- Logistics services
Moreover, the group’s other joint venture with Unicargas will provide integrated logistics and shipping services to local, regional and international customers. The joint project, which will be operated by Nuatum Logistics Services, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, will manage the movement of containers to the “Viana Warehouse” and provide short- and long-term truck transportation across the territory of Angola and neighboring countries, benefiting from its extensive global experience, infrastructure and logistical networks, and from the local knowledge, capabilities and assets that it possesses. Enjoyed by the Unicargas team.
Nuatom will also specifically undertake the management and operation activities of Unicargas’ existing truck fleet and various logistics sites spread across the country.
It will work to enhance business efficiency by investing in new machines, refrigerated and flatbed trucks, and upgrading its IT systems to seamlessly connect across Noatom’s digital system for logistics services, thus providing a complete and comprehensive supply chain and enhancing operational efficiency.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group, through its maritime and shipping sector, is examining opportunities to support the maritime operations sector in Angola and other related sectors, and deploy assets that include ships that provide accommodation for offshore crews, passenger ferries, supply ships for offshore platforms, and other marine and infrastructure vessels. Related infrastructure.