Angola and Abu Dhabi logistics multinational, Ad Ports Group, have entered into a joint venture (JV) to develop freight industry systems, services and infrastructure along the country’s 1600-kilometre coastline.
In addition to logistics platforms and the establishment of a Maritime Academy, the JV includes the development of ferry and cabotage services and maritime passenger terminals.
Unicargas, Angola’s state-owned transport company responsible for managing the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Luanda, is part of the agreement that was signed during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week last week.
Signatories to the JV framework included Heads of State from both countries – Sheikk Shakhbour bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, and João Lourenço, the President of Angola.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Ad Ports Group, said the JV showed the seriousness with which the UAE viewed its continued collaboration with Angola.
“We are focused on building fast and efficient maritime trade routes, and we are pleased to bring our robust knowledge base to Angola and the ports located on Africa’s west coast. These agreements reflect the trust the Ministry of Transport and the team at Unicargas have placed in us, and in our ability to contribute to Angola’s economic growth plans.”
Ricardo Viegas D´Abreu, Angola’s transport minister, said the development of the country’s port infrastructure was a key priority of the country’s 2023-2027 National Development Plan (NDP).
“Modernising our port infrastructure is a vital step for Angola to maximise the potential of our natural resources and promote economic growth for the benefit of our people.
“We are delighted to enter into the framework agreement with AD Ports Group and to benefit from its established knowledge and expertise as a global maritime player.”
The JV, which for the most part will focus on augmenting existing efficiencies at the Port of Luanda, responsible for 70% of Angola’s imports and 80% of its petrochemical exports, will include infrastructural improvements to the country’s other four ports: Namibia and Lobito in the south, and Soyo and Cabinda up north.
Although it primarily focuses on knowledge-based collaboration, no amount has been mentioned regarding the infrastructural funding that AD Ports Group intends to invest as part of the JV.
The announcement of the agreement comes little over a month after it was reported from Angola that the country intended to shift traffic from its current international airport in Luanda, Quatro de Fevereiro, to the new Dr Antonió Agostinho Neto airport, towards the end of 2023.
This is despite the fact that the completion of crucial infrastructural work is behind schedule.
