DP World Secures 10-Year Concession Extension and $90M Upgrade for Angola's Port of Luanda

Global ports operator DP World has secured a 10-year extension to its concession for operating the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Luanda in Angola, reinforcing its ongoing African expansion. Announced on Tuesday, the Dubai-based firm will inject $90 million over the next two years to significantly upgrade the terminal's infrastructure.

This fresh investment aims to more than double the terminal's capacity, raising it from 500,000 TEUs to over 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units. The comprehensive expansion plans involve extending the terminal's quay by 222 metres and expanding the operating area by 10 hectares.

Additionally, the procurement of three ship-to-shore cranes and 12 semi-automated gantry cranes will allow the facility to simultaneously service two “Post-Panamax” vessels—extra-wide ships that surpass the size limits of the original Panama Canal locks.

“The expansion of DP World Luanda is an important milestone both for Angola and for the wider region,” stated Mohammed Akoojee, chief executive and managing director for Africa at DP World. “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.”

Since taking over operations in Angola in 2021, DP World reports having invested upwards of $260 million into modernising the Luanda terminal. Paco Pinzon, chief executive of DP World Luanda, noted that extending the concession to 2051 highlights the company's long-term dedication to Angola and its ascent as a primary regional trade hub, which will ultimately enhance regional connectivity and economic development.

Across the Africa continent, DP World manages ports and terminals in 10 regions alongside 35 freight forwarding offices, providing employment to 34,000 individuals. On a global scale, the company operates across six continents with a workforce exceeding 125,000 people. This follows an August announcement detailing a $3 billion investment initiative spanning Asia, Africa, and the UAE, which includes constructing two new deepwater terminals in Fujairah near the Arabian Gulf, alongside developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, and Saudi Arabia.