AD Ports Group, CMA CGM to develop multi-purpose terminal in Congo-Brazzaville

UAE port operator the AD Ports Group and French container shipping company the CMA CGM Group, through its subsidiary CMA Terminals, have entered into a shareholders' agreement to jointly develop, manage and operate the New East Mole multi-purpose terminal in Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville, for which the AD Ports Group received a 30-year extendable concession in June 2023.

With the signing of the agreement, the AD Ports Group and the CMA CGM Group formed a joint venture, majority owned by the AD Ports Group, to develop, manage, and operate the New East Mole multipurpose terminal on Congo-Brazzaville's Atlantic coast to handle containers, general, breakbulk, and other types of cargo.

At the time it obtained the concession, the AD Ports Group said it expected to invest about US$220 million to build a 400-metre quay wall with a 16-metre depth, plus a 10-hectare logistics area, during phase one of the project.

The joint venture has confirmed that the terminal will be operated as a multi-user facility and the AD Ports Group will maintain controlling majority ownership in management and operation of the terminal. As such, the operations will still be fully consolidated.