Updated September 24, 2025- Port of Luanda is the most important maritime gateway for Angola, handling over 76% of the country’s container and general cargo volumes. Located on the Atlantic coast, the port’s strategic importance extends beyond Angola’s borders, serving as a vital transshipment hub for landlocked countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The port of Luanda terminal in Angola is set to undergo an upgrade. This is after the government of Angola and Dubai Ports (DP) World, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company signed a US $190m contract to modernize the multipurpose terminal.
According to DP World’s chairman and chief executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the UAE company is set to invest the funds during the next 20 years. “The UAE’s global port operator intends to leverage the activity at the Port of Luanda and use the connections worldwide to bring more investments to Angola,” said the chairman after an audience with Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
Project Factsheet
Project name: Port of Luanda Multi-purpose Terminal (MPT) Concession
Developer/Operator: DP World
Investment: $190 million over the 20-year concession period.
Concession agreement: A 20-year concession agreement signed with the Angolan government in January 2021.
Project start: DP World began operations on March 1, 2021.
Project scope and purpose:
- To operate and manage the multi-purpose terminal, which handles both containers and general cargo.
- To rehabilitate existing infrastructure and acquire new equipment to modernize operations.
- To bring the terminal’s operations in line with global standards and improve efficiency.
- To support Angola’s economic growth and position it as a trade hub on the western coast of Southern Africa.
Key upgrades and features:
Equipment: Acquisition of new equipment, including:
- 30 trucks
- 6 reach stackers
- 4 empty container handlers
- 4 forklifts
- The first Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes to be introduced in Angola.
Technology: Implementation of a modern port management system.
Workforce: A commitment to maintaining jobs, implementing training and capacity-building programs, and including local staff in management.
Expected capacity increase:
The terminal’s annual throughput was to be expanded to approximately 700,000 TEUs per year.
He further added that the contract signed will transform the port into a gateway for the country and the region of large investments in technology, automation and digital platforms.
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Improving Angola’s logistic capacity
Angolan Minister of Transport Ricardo de Abreu said that the partnership with the UAE company will help improve Angola’s logistic capacity. “The agreement aims to promote the development and improvement of the efficiency of the port activity in Angola through the selection of a private operator of worldwide reference,” he added.
Angola and the UAE have cooperation in a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, mining, trade and investment, energy, defense, transportation, agriculture, fishing, banking, telecommunications and finance.
The port of Luanda
The port of Luanda is an Angolan port located in the city of Luanda, the national capital, in the province of Luanda. It is connected to the city center of Luanda and the district of Ingombota. It is located in the Luanda Bay, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the island of Luanda.
The port belongs to the Angolan government, which is responsible for its administration through the public company Porto de Luanda E.P.. This company was established to administer the license for terminals for loading and unloading, in addition to the passenger terminal.
Similar Projects
Similarly, Angola is also gearing up its maritime infrastructure with the development of Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal Project. The development of this project, will enable Angola to accommodate larger vessels. Additionally, the project will generate jobs and eventually boost the economy.
