AD Ports Group’s subsidiary CMA Terminals, has signed an agreement with the CMA CGM Group to jointly develop a new multipurpose terminal in the Republic of Congo.
A joint venture between AD Ports and CMA CGM Group, majority-owned by the former, will develop, manage, and operate a new terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville, handling containers, general, break-bulk and other types of cargo at the Central West African nation’s biggest Atlantic port.
AD Ports, which trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), expects to invest about 807 million UAE dirhams ($220 million) to build a 400-metre quay wall at a 16-metre depth, plus a 10-hectare logistics area during the project’s first phase.
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The multipurpose terminal has already ordered three super post-Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes.
Additionally, the terminal will receive nine hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and other associated handling equipment. These hybrid RTGs reduce diesel consumption by up to 60 per cent, saving 1 million litres of diesel annually, and cutting nearly 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement further enhances our strategic partnership with CMA CGM in several markets and projects along global trade lines, the latest of which was the inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port last December. Our collaboration at the port of Pointe Noire is a continuation of this association.
“We look forward to jointly developing and managing phase 1 of the New East Mole multipurpose terminal with the CMA CGM Group. We believe this partnership will position the Republic of Congo at the centre of maritime trade, in line with projections for annual growth of 3 to 5 per cent in container volumes forecast for the country over the medium term.”
Earlier this week, AD Ports Group signed a 50-year land lease agreement with Al Ain Mills, a member of Al Hazaa Investment Group.
