AD Ports Group has started operations at Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal in the Angola’s largest port.
Operated with Angolan joint venture partners Unicargas and Multiparques, the Port of Luanda handles about 76% of Angola’s container and general cargo volumes, as well as providing maritime access to landlocked neighbour’s Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
AD Ports Group has a 81% stake in the multipurpose terminal venture with Unicargas and Multiparques, and a 90% stake in the logistics venture with Unicargas. In line with market demand, AD Ports Group’s investment could increase to US $380mn over the life of the concession, which could be extended by another 10 years.
Under a 20-year concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, AD Ports Group committed to invest around $250mn through 2026 to modernise the terminal and to develop Noatum Unicargas Logistics, the joint venture providing integrated logistics, transport and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients.
With the terminal’s opening, trading began at Noatum Unicargas Logistics. Noatum Unicargas Logistics is making a significant investment in new trucks and systems and 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.
The investments are also expected to result in the creation of thousands of local direct and indirect jobs, and in training and upskilling. The planned investments include equipment and technology solutions that will enable environmentally sustainable operations, with lower carbon emissions.
Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “With the planned upgrade of Luanda’s multipurpose port terminal, and establishment of an integrated logistics and freight forwarding business leveraging our Group’s global network and reach, AD Ports Group is positioned to capture the growth in Angola’s container volumes, which are forecast to rise on average by 3.3% annually over the next decade. In line with the direction of our wise leadership, this significant investment by our Group and its partners will strengthen the country’s ties with the UAE and bring jobs and economic prosperity to the citizens of Angola.’’
Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Transport, Angola, said: “The Port of Luanda is the main maritime gateway to Angola, a critical hub for regional trade and an economic lifeline for the region. Our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group, part of a broader effort involving multiple stakeholders, will transform the Port of Luanda into an efficient, high-performance multipurpose facility that transforms our logistical capabilities and drives economic growth across central west Africa. This collaboration is a significant milestone in our mission to modernise infrastructure and expand access to global trade, while delivering a prosperous future to Angola and its partners.
Commencement and transfer of business assets occurred without interruption in terminal operations, which are planned to continue as its partners improve terminal efficiency and operating performance. The Group is also committed to improving health and safety at the terminal, and has begun to put into place a best-in-class Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) programme to manage and control workplace hazards, environmental risks, and employee well-being.
Under AD Ports Group’s leadership, the Luanda port terminal will be significantly upgraded to a general cargo, container and roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal. It will be the only terminal in the Port of Luanda with 16 metres of depth alongside and therefore be able to handle Super Post Panamax vessels of up to 14,000 TEUs. The terminal area will be re-engineered to support high density and container handling, will be equipped with equipment and modern IT systems.
AD Ports Group has expanded into Africa over the past three years, announcing more than USD 800 million in planned investments in the maritime and shipping, ports and logistics sectors in Egypt, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Angola.The decision to enter Angola followed the signing of a 2023 framework agreement between AD Ports Group and the Government of Angola to explore cooperation in transport and maritime infrastructure.
New container handling equipment will be installed by the third quarter of 2026 that will boost container capacity from 25,000 TEUs to 350,000 TEUs, and Ro-Ro volumes to over 40,000 vehicles. AD Ports Group awarded contracts to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, port machinery manufacturers in the world, to supply three Super Post-Panamax STS cranes and eight hybrid Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes for the Luanda terminal.
Noatum Unicargas Logistics will invest in new machinery, reefer and flat-bed trucks, and upgrade IT systems across Noatum Logistics’ digital ecosystem, providing full end-to-end supply chain visibility and operational efficiency.
