AD Ports Launches Operations at Port of Luanda, Intensifying Competition with DP
AD Ports Group, based in Abu Dhabi, has officially started operations at the Port of Luanda in Angola, competing directly with DP World for dominance in the region’s cargo business. This marks a significant step in AD Ports' expansion strategy across Africa. The company secured a 20-year concession to operate and develop the Noatum Ports Luanda terminal, which it acquired alongside local partners Unicargas and Multiparques. With this agreement, AD Ports holds an 81% stake in the terminal and a 90% share in the logistics business, positioning itself as a major player in the Angolan market.
DP World, which has operated a separate terminal at Luanda since 2021, is also heavily investing in the region, committing $190 million to improve the port’s infrastructure. The competition between the two companies is crucial as Luanda’s port handles approximately 76% of Angola’s container and general cargo, and it serves as a vital gateway for landlocked neighbors like Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
AD Ports is planning substantial investments, amounting to $250 million over the next two years, to modernize the terminal and increase its capacity. These improvements include upgrading facilities to accommodate larger vessels, specifically Super Post Panamax ships, and enhancing container and RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) handling capabilities. Over the lifetime of its concession, AD Ports plans to invest a total of $380 million, aiming to increase container capacity from 25,000 TEU to 350,000 TEU.
This move is part of AD Ports' broader African growth strategy, which includes over $800 million in investments across various countries like Egypt, Tanzania, and the Republic of Congo, aiming to tap into the growing demand for maritime and logistics services in the region.
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Sources
maritime-executive.com
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