Five agreements explore cooperation in maritime and logistics services
AD Ports Group recently announced the signing of an agreement to develop a digital Single Logistics Trade Window solution for Angola’s trade regulator-Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Carga e Logística de Angola (ARCCLA), and the purchase of 30 new trucks and 45 new trailers with an approximate value of US$ 6mn for its Angolan logistics business, Noatum Unicargas Logistics.
The Group has also signed five preliminary agreements with Angolan public- and private-sector partners to explore wider cooperation in maritime services, cabotage, training, logistics, airport cargo handling services, and healthcare.
The agreements were signed by Ricardo Viegas de Abreu, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Angola, and Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group.
Increased activities
The increase in the Group’s activities in Angola, where it has already committed to investing US$ 250mn through 2026 to redevelop and expand Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, the multipurpose terminal facility at the country’s largest port, came six months after the Group commenced operations in Angola in January.
“By modernising and developing our maritime and commercial infrastructure, AD Ports Group and the Ministry of Transport are enhancing trade in the region and solidifying Angola’s position as a true driver of economic and social development,” noted Minister de Abreu.
“The signings today underscore our commitment to developing Luanda and Angola into a main trade hub for West Africa. We are pursuing transformational projects that will bring lasting economic growth and prosperity to the people of Angola and the UAE,” stressed Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.
Single Window agreement
The Single Logistics Trade Window agreement and the truck fleet purchase deepen the Group’s presence in Angola, centred around the Port of Luanda, which handles approximately 76% of Angola’s container and general cargo volumes, as well as providing maritime access to landlocked neighbours the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
The addition of new trucks and trailers represents a near doubling of the Group’s Noatum Unicargas Logistics truck fleet, expanding the operation to 70 trucks and 95 trailers.
Digital trade
For the national trade regulator ARCCLA, AD Ports Group’s digital arm, Maqta Technologies, is developing a digital single logistics trade window solution called JUL, which will become the modern backbone of Angola’s digital trade ecosystem.
JUL will simplify trade and customs-related processes in Angola, an emerging central West Africa trade hub. In the first of three phases during the three-year agreement, JUL will streamline trade by sea, and enhance operational efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions, in Angola’s trade and logistics sector, a press communique concluded.
