AD Ports awards $200m contracts for Congo terminal

May 18, 2026

AD Ports Group has awarded three contracts worth a combined AED 735 million ($200 million) for the design, construction and crane procurement at the Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in the Republic of the Congo.

The terminal is being developed through a majority-owned joint venture between AD Ports Group and the CMA CGM Group, via its subsidiary CMA Terminals, following an agreement signed in February 2025.

It is being delivered under a 30-year concession with the Congolese government, extendable by a further 20 years.

Two contracts for marine and topside works, valued at approximately AED 551 million ($150 million), have been awarded to MAR CONTRACTING SARLU and MBTP SA JV.

A separate AED 184 million ($50 million) contract for crane equipment has been awarded to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (ZPMC), covering three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and nine rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

The terminal’s initial phase will feature a quay wall of approximately 420 metres in length and 16 metres in depth, capable of accommodating Patagonia-class vessels, alongside a 100,000 square metres logistics area.

READ: AD Ports profit rises 41 per cent in Q1 2026

The STS cranes are Super Post-Panamax units, among the largest deployed at container terminals globally.

The hybrid RTG cranes are expected to reduce diesel consumption by up to 60 per cent compared to conventional diesel-powered equivalents, a saving of approximately 1 million litres of fuel per year and around 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Mohamed Eidha AlMenhali, Regional CEO at AD Ports Group, said: “These contract awards mark a significant step towards delivering a modern and future-ready container terminal at the Port of Pointe-Noire, in partnership with CMA Terminals.

“This development reflects AD Ports Group’s long-term commitment to investing in high-growth markets and developing integrated maritime and logistics infrastructure that strengthens regional trade connectivity.”

Construction is expected to be completed within approximately two years, with the terminal set to strengthen Pointe-Noire’s position as a trade gateway for Central and West Africa.

Recently, AD Ports Group and the Freeport of Riga Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore cooperation across port development, logistics, industrial projects and digital solutions.