AD Ports has begun its long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an associated logistics business with local partners in Luanda, Angola.
With Angolan joint venture partners Unicargas and Multiparques, AD Ports started operations at Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal in the country’s largest port. The Luanda port terminal will be significantly upgraded to a general cargo, container and roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal.
The port of Luanda handles about 76 percent of Angola’s container and general cargo volumes, as well as providing maritime access to landlocked neighbours Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Under a 20-year concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, AD Ports committed to invest around USD250 million through 2026 to modernise the terminal and to develop Noatum Unicargas Logistics, a joint venture providing integrated logistics, transport and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients.
AD Ports said It will be the only terminal in the port of Luanda with a 16 m draught, thus capable of handling super post-Panamax vessels of up to 14,000 teu. The terminal area of 192,000 sqm will be re-engineered to support high density and efficient container handling and will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and modern IT systems.
New container handling equipment will be installed by the third quarter of 2026 that will greatly boost container capacity from 25,000 teu to 350,000 teu, and ro-ro volumes to over 40,000 vehicles.
Trading started on January 31. Coinciding with the start of operations, Noatum Unicargas Logistics said that it was making a significant investment in new trucks and systems. These will be fully integrated with the Noatum Logistics global network to strengthen Angola’s access to international markets and drive investment-led growth in the Angolan economy.
In line with market demand, AD Ports Group’s investment could increase to USD380 million over the life of the concession, which could be extended by another 10 years. In late 2024, AD Ports Group said that it signed two agreements with the Angolan government that confer significant tax and financial benefits to the operating subsidiaries of the group.
AD Ports Group has an 81 percent stake in the multipurpose terminal venture with Unicargas and Multiparques, and a 90 percent stake in the logistics venture with Unicargas.
