DP World extends Luanda terminal concession to 2051

DP World has secured a 10-year extension to its concession at the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Luanda, extending the operating agreement to 2051.

The extension comes as DP World prepares to invest a further $90 million over the next two years to expand the terminal and increase its design capacity to 1.2 million TEUs.

Since beginning operations in 2021, DP World has invested more than $260 million in upgrading the facility. Annual container volumes have nearly doubled over the period, rising from 177,000 TEUs to more than 350,000 TEUs.

The terminal has also added 28,000 square metres of yard space, while DP World acquired two additional mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) and an empty handler in 2026. This brings the total number of MHCs to eight and increases reefer capacity from 630 to 700 plugs.

The latest expansion will extend the quay by 222 metres and add 10 hectares to the operating area.

DP World will also install three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 12 semi-automated rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. The additional infrastructure and equipment will allow the terminal to handle two Post-Panamax vessels simultaneously.

The company said the expansion is intended to strengthen Luanda’s position as a container gateway for Central Africa and support wider regional trade flows.

The project is also expected to support employment and industrial development in Angola, while improving export competitiveness and access to international markets.

Mohammed Akoojee, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Africa, DP World, said: “The expansion of DP World Luanda is an important milestone both for Angola and for the wider region. The ability to handle larger vessels will support new shipping services and strengthen the terminal’s potential as a gateway for West and Central Africa. Our investment will improve the efficiency and sustainability of trade flows, giving customers greater reliability, shorter turnaround times and improved access to global markets, and reinforcing Angola’s prominent role within our regional and global logistics network.”

Paco Pinzon, Chief Executive Officer, DP World Luanda, stated: “Having our concession extended to 2051 demonstrates our long-term commitment to Angola and its future as a leading regional trade gateway. Our continued investments will create a more efficient and competitive experience for our customers, while supporting Angola’s ambitions to strengthen trade connectivity, diversify the economy and become a continental logistics hub. The expansion will benefit the entire logistics ecosystem, and we will continue to create opportunities, strengthen regional connectivity and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Angola.”

The expansion will increase terminal capacity while enabling larger vessels to call at Luanda and providing additional handling capacity for the region’s growing container trade.