DP World extends Luanda terminal concession

DP World has secured a 10-year extension to its concession for the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Luanda in Angola, extending its operating term to 2051.

The company has invested more than US$260 million in the terminal since beginning operations in 2021, with container volumes nearly doubling over the past five years.

“The expansion of DP World Luanda is an important milestone both for Angola and for the wider region,” said Mohammed Akoojee, chief executive and managing director, Africa, DP World.

Container throughput has increased from 177,000 teu to more than 350,000 teu, supported by an additional 28,000 square metres of yard space. DP World has also added two mobile harbour cranes and an empty handler this year, bringing the terminal’s MHC total to eight. Reefer capacity has increased from 630 to 700 plugs.

The company has announced a further US$90 million investment over the next two years to expand infrastructure, equipment and operational capabilities at Luanda.

The planned expansion will extend the quay by 222 metres and increase the operating area by 10 hectares. It will raise the terminal’s design capacity to 1.2 million teu.

The investment will also include three ship-to-shore cranes and 12 semi-automated rubber-tyred gantry cranes, allowing the terminal to handle two Post-Panamax vessels simultaneously.

Akoojee said the additional capacity would support new shipping services and strengthen Luanda’s role as a gateway for west and central Africa.

“Our investment will improve the efficiency and sustainability of trade flows, giving customers greater reliability, shorter turnaround times and improved access to global markets,” he said.

Paco Pinzon, chief executive of DP World Luanda, said the concession extension demonstrated the company’s long-term commitment to Angola. “Having our concession extended to 2051 demonstrates our long-term commitment to Angola and its future as a leading regional trade gateway,” he said.