AD Ports Group has granted contracts exceeding AED420 million ($114.34 million) to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC) for the provision of six ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 17 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. These cranes will be deployed at terminal projects in the New East Mole Terminal, Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo, and Noatum Ports, Luanda Terminal, Angola, in Africa.
This initiative is part of AD Ports Group’s 30-year concession agreement with the Republic of the Congo to develop and oversee a multipurpose terminal at Pointe Noire Port, as well as a 20-year concession agreement aimed at modernizing and operating the Luanda Terminal in Angola.
These agreements align with AD Ports Group’s strategy to encourage progressive development in emerging markets while fostering sustainable economic growth.
Enhanced terminal capabilities
Under these contracts, both the Pointe Noire and Luanda terminals will receive three Super Post-Panamax STS cranes, which can service 21 container rows over a span of 60 meters. Additionally, Pointe Noire will be equipped with nine hybrid RTGs, while Luanda Terminal will receive eight. These hybrid RTGs offer significant efficiency, reducing diesel consumption by up to 60 percent compared to traditional models, saving about one million liters annually and cutting down approximately 5,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, expressed satisfaction with the progress of their concession agreements in Angola and Congo. He further highlighted the importance of the cranes in modern port operations and noted that their efforts align with the vision of their leadership to enhance trade and foster investment relationships with key global partners. He emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in terminal infrastructure and adopting advanced, innovative technology solutions that would add value for customers and partners, ultimately benefiting the economies in which they operate.
Ruikai You, party secretary and chairman of ZMPC, stated that as the world market leader in STS cranes and port equipment, ZMPC boasts an unparalleled global presence and strong specialist upgrades teams. He expressed pleasure in expanding the multi-year partnership with AD Ports Group to supply state-of-the-art Super Post-Panamax STS cranes for their expansion into Africa.
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Significant investments for modernization
In June 2023, AD Ports Group entered into a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Congo to oversee the New East Mole Terminal in Pointe Noire, WAM reported. With an anticipated investment of $500 million throughout the concession period, the terminal will manage containers, general cargo, breakbulk, and various other goods.
Moreover, in April 2024, AD Ports Group finalized a 20-year (extendable for an additional 10 years) concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority for the operation and enhancement of the existing multipurpose port terminal in Luanda, Angola. The group has pledged around $250 million to modernize the terminal and bolster logistics operations over the next three years, with potential total investment reaching $379 million as market demands evolve.
These agreements underscore AD Ports Group’s ambitious plans for international expansion, aimed at improving global supply chain efficiency, establishing faster trade routes, and offering diverse logistics solutions for essential strategic trading partners.
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