AD Ports Group has started construction on the Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, beginning a major upgrade to turn Angola’s main port into a leading logistics hub for the region.
Working with partners Unicargas and Multiparques, the company has kicked off an 18-month construction phase that will deliver a modern terminal able to handle containers, general cargo, and Ro-Ro traffic.
The plan involves an initial $250 million investment in the first three years. Overall spending is expected to reach $380 million under a 20-year concession agreement, which can be extended to 2055.
AD Ports Group owns 81% of the Luanda terminal and 90% of Noatum Unicargas Logistics, the joint venture managing logistics and fleet upgrades. These upgrades include refrigerated transport and new cargo platforms.
The new terminal will cover 192,000 square metres and have a 16-metre draught, making it the only port in Luanda that can handle Super Post-Panamax vessels carrying up to 14,000 TEUs.
To support operations, the terminal will be equipped with three Super Post-Panamax cranes, eight hybrid RTG cranes, and advanced IT systems to improve efficiency and cut emissions.
When completed in early 2027, the terminal will raise container capacity from 25,000 TEUs to 350,000 TEUs per year. Ro-Ro capacity will also grow to more than 40,000 vehicles annually.
AD Ports Group plans to use its global shipping network to bring new lines to Luanda, connecting Angola more closely with international trade routes. This is expected to reduce import costs, strengthen exports, and increase trade competitiveness in Central and West Africa.
The project will also create thousands of jobs in areas such as logistics, maintenance, and operations. It includes training programmes and community projects to support local workers.
This expansion is part of AD Ports Group’s wider push into Africa, where it has committed more than $800 million to projects in Egypt, the Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Angola in the last three years.
For Angola, the upgrade of the Luanda terminal highlights a drive to secure its place as a logistics hub and support the country’s broader industrial development.
source: africaports.co.za
