Abu Dhabi Ports Prepares to Manage the Country's Port Terminals and Free Zones

According to a statement sent to VerAngola by the Ministry of Transport, the Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADP) will seek to establish future contractual relations with Angolan entities in the transport sector, in the maritime, port, logistics and related fields.

The memorandum signed foresees several areas of cooperation, where the intervention of Abu Dhabi Ports is expected to ensure the management of companies in the process of privatization, concession and management of port terminals in Luanda and Cabinda, investment, management and operation of free zones.

Through a Public-Private Partnership, the investment and management of logistics platforms at a national level may also be established.

The Memorandum of Intent also provides for ADP's involvement in the development of Port Services for Pilotage, Towing, implementation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), digitization of logistics processes (single window, control and management of gates and other logistics services ), exchange of experience between the respective Maritime and Port Authorities, training and capacity building of Angolan staff and support in the implementation of the STCW - Standards for Training, Certification and Surveillance of Maritime Personnel.

The implementation of the projects will take place through the signing of specific legal agreements between Abu Dhabi Ports or companies belonging to its group with the regulatory body for the national maritime and port sector (AMN - National Maritime Administration), as well as the logistical (ARCCLA - Agency) Angola's Cargo Certification and Logistics Regulator), and Public or Public Capital Companies under the Ministry of Transport of Angola, the statement added.

The ministry also refers that Abu Dhabi Ports, in order to implement the projects regulated by the memorandum, undertakes to carry out the necessary investments for their implementation or operation.

ADP is a company from the United Arab Emirates, formed by a group of companies, which operates worldwide in the management of 12 ports, responsible for 7.5 percent of the non-oil Gross Domestic Product of the United Arab Emirates.