The winds of change are blowing through Angola’s maritime landscape. Abu Dhabi-based ports giant AD Ports Group has secured a landmark 20-year concession agreement, potentially extendable for another decade, to operate and revamp Luanda’s multipurpose port terminal. This strategic partnership signifies a significant investment in Angola’s future, poised to transform the Luanda port into a modern trade hub for Central-West Africa.
The agreement carries a hefty price tag. AD Ports is committing a minimum of $251 million over the initial three years to modernize the terminal and develop supporting logistics services. This figure could balloon to $379 million over the concession period, reflecting AD Ports’ long-term commitment to the project.
Beyond financial muscle, the deal involves strategic alliances. AD Ports has joined forces with established Angolan logistics players, Unicargas and Multiparques. This collaboration leverages local expertise while injecting international know-how. An 81% stake in a joint venture to operate the terminal and a 90% stake in another venture dedicated to broader Angolan logistics solidify AD Ports’ leading role.
The heart of the project lies in transforming the existing multipurpose facility into a dedicated container and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) terminal. Completion is targeted for the third quarter of 2026. This metamorphosis is expected to dramatically increase the port’s capacity. Container handling volumes are projected to surge from a current 25,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) to a staggering 350,000 TEUs, while RoRo volumes are anticipated to exceed 40,000 vehicles.
The benefits extend beyond the immediate port operations. AD Ports’ subsidiary, Noatum Logistics, will manage a joint venture with Unicargas, offering integrated logistics and freight forwarding services. This translates to streamlined movement of containers to Luanda’s inland Viana depot operated by Multiparques. Additionally, the partnership will facilitate short- and long-haul transportation within Angola and neighboring countries.
AD Ports’ objectives go beyond the cargo yard. The company is looking into ways to boost Angola’s thriving offshore and maritime industries. The possible deployment of work accommodation vessels, passenger ferries, platform supply vessels, and other assets represents an all-encompassing approach to improving Angola’s marine infrastructure.
This strategic alliance precisely coincides with Angola’s economic goals. Over the next decade, the nation’s container traffic is expected to grow steadily at an average annual rate of 3.3%. Luanda port is critical, processing more than 76% of the country’s container and general cargo volumes. Furthermore, the port is an important transshipment gateway for landlocked Central-West African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas de Abreu, Angola’s Minister of Transport, expressed optimism about the partnership’s transformative potential. He emphasized that Luanda port is not just a gateway but a critical artery for regional trade and economic vitality. The collaboration with AD Ports, he believes, will propel Luanda into the modern era, bolstering logistical capabilities and stimulating economic growth across Central-West Africa.
