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AD Ports Group begins managing Luanda’s multipurpose terminal and logistics venture. (Image source: AD Ports)

AD Ports Group, a prominent player in global trade, logistics, and industry has began overseeing the long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an accompanying logistics venture in collaboration with local partners in Luanda, Angola, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion across sub-Saharan Africa

Partnering with Unicargas and Multiparques, AD Ports Group has commenced operations at the Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, situated at Angola’s largest port. The Port of Luanda accounts for approximately 76% of the country’s container and general cargo traffic and offers vital maritime connections to neighbouring landlocked nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.

AD Ports Group holds an 81% stake in the multipurpose terminal joint venture, while it owns 90% of the logistics venture with Unicargas.

The agreement, a 20-year concession with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, includes an investment commitment of around US$250mn by AD Ports Group through 2026 for the modernization of the terminal and the establishment of Noatum Unicargas Logistics. This joint venture will provide comprehensive logistics, transport, and freight forwarding services to regional, local, and international clients.

With the terminal now operational, Noatum Unicargas Logistics has also begun trading. The logistics business is making substantial investments in new trucks and systems and will be fully integrated into the Noatum Logistics global network, improving Angola’s connectivity to international markets and driving growth in the national economy.

Based on market demand, AD Ports Group’s total investment in this project could increase to USD 380 million over the duration of the concession, which may be extended by an additional decade.

In late 2024, AD Ports Group also secured two agreements with the Angolan government that provide substantial tax and financial advantages to its operating subsidiaries.

These investments are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, alongside a focus on training and skill development. The planned upgrades will also introduce environmentally sustainable technologies, ensuring lower carbon emissions.

Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, regional CEO of AD Ports Group, commented, “With the planned upgrade of Luanda’s multipurpose port terminal, and the establishment of an integrated logistics and freight forwarding business leveraging our Group’s global network and reach, AD Ports Group is positioned to capture the growth in Angola’s container volumes, which are forecast to rise on average by 3.3% annually over the next decade. In line with the direction of our wise leadership, this significant investment by our Group and its partners will strengthen the country’s ties with the UAE and bring jobs and economic prosperity to the citizens of Angola.”

Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas de Abreu, minister of transport, Angola, stated, “The Port of Luanda is the main maritime gateway to Angola, a critical hub for regional trade and an economic lifeline for the region. Our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group, part of a broader effort involving multiple stakeholders, will transform the Port of Luanda into an efficient, high-performance multipurpose facility that transforms our logistical capabilities and drives economic growth across central West Africa. This collaboration is a significant milestone in our mission to modernise infrastructure and expand access to global trade, while delivering a prosperous future to Angola and its partners."

The project is a continuation of the two earlier phases of the Road Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided a loan to help Tunisia implement Phase 3 of the Road Infrastructure Modernisation Programme

The plan is to upgrade 188.9 km of classified roads in seven governorates across the country where transport constraints are restricting economic potential. AfDB has agreed to provide a loan of EU€80.16mn (approx. US$83mn) that will cover around 93% of the total cost of the project.

“Over the past 10 years, the African Development Bank has helped to renovate and modernise some 4,000 km of roads and 104 km of motorways, as well as creating various associated facilities in Tunisia,” explained Solomon Quaynor, bank vice president. “This work has greatly improved the level of service provided by the road network, making various routes more convenient by the installation of bridges, and facilitating access to regions and to their socio-economic potential.

“The Bank’s intervention will also benefit micro-enterprises focused on road maintenance, enabling infrastructure to be maintained over the long term, while at the same time creating market opportunities for entrepreneurs. Road upgrades will improve access to regions with high agricultural value-added, contributing to Tunisia’s food security, thanks to the development of value chains supported by the private sector.”

The project will run from 2025-2030 and will help to improve the quality of Tunisia’s vital road network to help create an efficient and sustainable transport system. With the transport sector accounting for around 5% of Tunisia’s GDP, this is considered vital for the country’s continued economic growth and will also support regional balance with neighbouring nations such as Algeria.

Bboxx Protect offers exclusive coverage for Bboxx Ride customers, including protection against material damage, fire, third-party liabilities, life insurance, and total permanent disability. (Image source: Bboxx)

Bboxx, a data-driven super platform, has sought to offer comprehensive and affordable coverage for EV riders in Rwanda through the creation of Bboxx Protect

Created in collaboration with Radiant Yacu, the new product is a data-backed PAYGo (pay-as-you-go) model that enables pricing over 40% lower than the average market rate for comprehensive insurance. This provides an affordable option for motorbike owners relying on third-party coverage.

“With the launch of Bboxx Protect, we are doubling down on our commitment to serving existing markets while making affordable, comprehensive insurance accessible to motorbike riders who have long been underserved,” remarked Anthony Osijo, Bboxx CEO. “By reducing financial risk and offering greater security, we’re empowering thousands of customers to protect their livelihoods while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Rwanda’s insurance penetration currently stands at less than 1%, and so Bboxx Protect aims to address this issue by making insurance more accessible and affordable. Further, by being designed exclusively for electric motorcycles, the product provides a further incentive for riders to switch from traditional internal combustion engine bikes to their more environmentally friendly cousins.

The initial rollout will target 1,500 customers but potentially impact the 130,000 motorbike riders in the country who currently use simple third-party insurance.

“Through our strategic partnership with Bboxx, we are introducing a pioneering insurance solution that equips motorbike riders with the financial protection needed to confidently transition to electric vehicles,” commented Ovia K. Tuhairwe, Radiant Yacu Insurance CEO.

“By offering affordable, comprehensive coverage tailored to EVs, we are not only enabling a safer and greener future but also addressing Rwanda's low insurance penetration. This collaboration will make insurance more accessible to underserved communities, promoting financial inclusion and driving long-term economic growth across the country.”

The load arrived at the copper mine site on 25 November and was successfully offloaded. (Image source: Vanguard)

Vanguard, a specialised heavy lift installation company, has completed the complex transportation of a 50 m-long, 171 t cold box from the port of Walvis Bay, Namibia, to a copper mine in Solwezi, Zambia

In order to complete the operation – which required a total load combination of 75 m and a gross combination mass of 338 t – Vanguard utilised 8-axle and 11-axle Goldhofer multi-axle trailers, two prime movers and 600 t capacity turntables. This was configured in a push-pull combination with drawbars at both the front and back to ensure stability and manoeuvrability.

Facing a journey of 2,700 km, meticulous preparation and precise execution was required. The cold box was discharged at Walvis Bay in August 2024 and, in order to reach its destination, significant route modifications were required, including road works and the construction of 11 by-passes at various locations. This also included travelling through mines to bypass bridges and congested suburbs.

After two months of route modifications, the journey began in October 2024 and took 45 days to reach the site. The successful execution of this has been attributed to the excellent work of Vanguard’s engineering and project management teams alongside highly skilled drivers, operators and escorts.

“The route was extremely challenging. Road obstructions and furniture had to be removed or adjusted to accommodate the load,” Juan Johnson, field manager at Vanguard. “Overnight parking and stopping were complicated by the limited availability of lay-by areas. Poor road conditions and severe congestion often forced our convoy to travel at speeds of just 2-5 km/h. We also had to cross various borders, navigate bridges, by-passes, towns and tight corners, which required the expertise of the whole team.”

“The biggest challenge in the project, and something which was entirely unexpected, was the extreme public interest that was generated over the course of the trip. Crowds began gathering in Namibia, sparking significant social media attention. By the time we reached Zambia, word of the unusual load had spread, and large crowds gathered to watch us drive by. In towns like Livingstone and Lusaka, hundreds of thousands of people came to watch. In Lusaka, police estimated that over one million spectators turned out. Managing these crowds required extensive support, with over 500 police officers allocated at certain points for escort and crowd control. Despite the logistical difficulties, the whole team managed this with exceptional professionalism.”

Lithium-sulphur battery technology delivers higher performance at a lower cost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Stellantis, a leading automaker that is seeking to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility, has signed a joint development agreement with Zeta Energy Corp, a company focused on developing rechargeable batteries that are lower cost and sustainably produced, to advance battery cell technology for electric vehicles

The two are seeking to develop lithium-sulphur EV batteries with gravimetric energy density while achieving volumetric energy density comparable to today’s lithium-ion technology. The ambition is to create a lighter battery pack with the same usable energy as contemporary lithium-ion batteries. This is expected to enable greater range, improved handling and enhanced performance as well as having the potential to improving fast-charging speeds by up to 50%. These benefits will make EV ownership more convenient for users as well as costing less than half the price per kWh of current lithium-ion batteries.

“We are very excited to be working with Stellantis on this project,” remarked Tom Pilette, CEO of Zeta Energy. “The combination of Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulphur battery technology with Stellantis’ unrivaled expertise in innovation, global manufacturing and distribution can dramatically improve the performance and cost profile of electric vehicles while increasing the supply chain resiliency for batteries and EVs.”

The collaboration includes both pre-production development and planning for future production. Upon completion of the project, the batteries are targeted to power Stellantis electric vehicles by 2030.

“Our collaboration with Zeta Energy is another step in helping advance our electrification strategy as we work to deliver clean, safe and affordable vehicles,” commented Ned Curic, Stellantis chief engineering and technology officer at Stellantis. “Groundbreaking battery technologies like lithium-sulphur can support Stellantis’ commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038 while ensuring our customers enjoy optimal range, performance and affordability.”

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