AD Ports Group to develop Republic of the Congo multipurpose terminal in 30-year agreement

AD Ports will hold exclusive rights to invest in and oversee the development, operation, management and maintenance of the New East Mole Port

by Divsha Bhat

June 20, 2023

Image credit: Abu Dhabi Media Office

AD Ports Group has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Congo for managing and operating the multipurpose New East Mole Terminal in Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo.

Pointe Noire is the main commercial centre of the Republic of the Congo, and its port plays a key role in the economy and development of the nation and wider region.

The agreement comes after the initial Head of Terms agreement signed by both parties in March 2023.

According to the new agreement, AD Ports Group will hold exclusive rights to invest in and oversee the development, operation, management and maintenance of the New East Mole Port.

The port will handle various types of cargo, including containers, general cargo, break-bulk and more.

The agreement spans 30 years from the signing date, with an option for AD Ports Group to extend the concession for an additional 20 years under the same terms and conditions.

AD Ports Group plans to invest over Dhs1.84bn throughout the concession period, with Dhs808m allocated for Phase 1.

The project is expected to be completed over the next 30 months. Throughout the agreement’s duration, AD Ports Group will provide digital services and technological solutions to optimize the facility’s efficiency. These solutions encompass the design, implementation and operation of a single-window system, software development, digital architecture, business analytics, digital operations support, and digital transformation.

.@ADPortsGroup has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Republic of the Congo’s government to develop, manage & operate New East Mole terminal in Pointe Noir Port. pic.twitter.com/RfOeLCSB5n

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 20, 2023

Capt Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “By expanding our operations and presence in Congo, we are not only strengthening our position in the region, but also tapping into a new market with immense potential. We anticipate boosting trade and commerce between our countries and opening new trade routes, creating new employment opportunities, and contributing to the overall development of Congo.

As such, we will be closely working with our government partners in the Republic of the Congo to identify areas where our partnership can help support their vision for the future. This concession agreement holds great potential and promise for both parties, especially when we consider the key role that the New East Mole Port in Pointe Noire plays as one of the best performing ports on the central west coast of the African continent.”

Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public Private Partnership of the Republic of the Congo, said: “Through this partnership, we will have access to AD Ports Group’s expertise and resources, which will be invaluable in developing our infrastructure and supporting our future plans.

We are confident that with their support, we can accelerate progress in critical areas such as transportation, trade and logistics. We believe that this partnership has the potential to be a game-changer for our country, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have in the years to come.”

Meanwhile, in 2021, the UAE exported Dhs503m to the Republic of Congo, with the main exported products being cars for Dhs128m, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

During the last 16 years, the exports of the UAE to the Republic of the Congo have increased at an annualised rate of 5.6 per cent, from Dhs209.3m in 2005 to Dhs503m in 2021.

In 2021, the Republic of the Congo exported Dhs6.43bn to the UAE, with the main exported products being Refined Copper (Dhs5.87bn) and Gold (Dhs259m) according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

During the last 16 years, the exports of the Republic of the Congo to the UAE have increased at an annualised rate of 30 per cent, from Dhs95.5m in 2005 to Dhs5.87bn in 2021.