by Lloyd's List
7 February 2025 (Lloyd's List) - AD PORTS and CMA CGM’s ports unit CMA Terminals are tying up in a joint venture to run the Republic of Congo’s biggest Atlantic port.
The AD Ports majority-owned joint venture will together develop, manage and operate the New East Mole multipurpose terminal in Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville, for which AD Ports received a 30-year extendable concession in June 2023.
The New East Mole multipurpose terminal will handle containers, general, breakbulk and other types of cargo at the Port of Pointe Noire, the Central West African nation’s main Atlantic gateway. The new facilities will help connect Congo-Brazzaville to global markets.
AD Ports has previously said it expects to invest about $220m to build a 400 m quay wall at 16 m depth, plus a 10 ha logistics area, during phase one of the project. Although not disclosed, the joint venture agreement likely brings with it additional investment from the new partner.
The terminal has already placed an order for three super post-panamax ship-to-shore cranes, and is set to receive nine hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes and other associated handling equipment.
CMA CGM is the leading export shipper in the Republic of Congo. It claims an overall container volume market share of about 35%.
AD Ports Group and CMA CGM are also partnering on terminal expansion at the former’s Khalifa Port, with an $845m investment in a new terminal that will boost the port’s capacity by a third.
AD Ports regional chief executive officer Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali said: “Our group’s decision to invest with CMA CGM Group to develop phase one of the New East Mole multipurpose terminal at the port of Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville is another example of AD Ports Group’s strong, collaborative approach to partnering with governments and businesses in Africa.”
CMA CGM executive vice president for assets and operations Christine Cabau Woehrel said: “We look forward to bringing the operational and economic benefits of this collaborative, sustainable approach to the Republic of the Congo and to its importers and exporters.”
