Angola floats tenders for Cabinda and Soyo ports

Angola’s Ministry of Transport has invited tenders for the concession of passenger and cargo terminals at the ports of Cabinda and Soyo

Connected to Luanda and ports in neighbouring countries, Cabinda and Soyo are central hubs in maritime and river trade in Angola’s northern region, linking cities, populations and companies from different sectors, including oil, the Ministry said in a statement.

The tender covers the “Concession of the operation of port services in the maritime passenger and cargo terminals of the Port of Cabinda and in the river passenger and cargo terminals of the Port of Soyo.”

The Ministry statement noted that “this strategic initiative aims to strengthen regional logistics, improve mobility and boost the country's economic growth.”

Port of Cabinda is a key oil hub on the Atlantic coast in the Cabinda enclave, located between the Republic of Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the south.

Port of Soyo is located at the mouth of the Congo River, on Angola’s mainland.

Both are important hubs for the country’s  strategic offshore oil and gas sector.

“In addition to the development of the cabotage sector in Northern Angola, the management of the concession will allow the creation of jobs, the improvement of freight and passenger transport logistics, and a better use of existing resources, ensuring a more competitive and sustainable operation, in line with efficiency and sustainability policies in the transport sector in Angola,” the Ministry statement added.

The move highlights a wider interest in building up Angola’s ports.

In January, AD Ports began its long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an associated logistics business in Luanda, alongside local partners.

Under a 20-year concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, it has committed to invest US$250mn through to 2026 to modernise the terminal and to develop Noatum Unicargas Logistics, the joint venture providing integrated logistics, transport and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients.

Angola’s ports will face competition for business, however, with other regional states also keen to build their maritime infrastructure.

In 2021, DP World signed a collaboration agreement with the DRC government for the development of the deep-sea port at Banana, just across the river from Soyo.

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