CMA CGM and AD Ports establish Congo terminal venture

French liner giant CMA CGM has reached an agreement with AD Ports Group to jointly develop, manage and operate the new multipurpose terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire in the Republic of the Congo.

The deal will see the formation of a joint venture majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics giant, which received a 30-year extendable concession for the terminal in June 2023.

At the time it obtained the concession, AD Ports Group said it expected to invest about $220m to build a 400-metre quay wall at a 16-metre depth, plus a 10-hectare logistics area, during the first phase of the project and more than $500m over the life of the concession.

CMA CGM shipping line ranks second in imports and transhipment in Congo, with historically an overall container volume market share in the country of about 35%.

In 2021, the Marseille-based carrier also partnered up with AD Ports for a new container terminal in Khalifa Port, which was launched last December. CMA CGM’s subsidiary, CMA Terminals, holds a majority stake in that venture.

“Our investment with AD Ports Group at the Port of Pointe Noire is a new milestone of our strategic collaboration between CMA Terminals and AD Ports Group as we enable modern, sustainable ports and maritime infrastructure for the next wave of global trade,” said Christine Cabau Woehrel, executive vice president for assets and operations at CMA CGM.

The New East Mole terminal in Pointe Noire will handle containers, general, breakbulk and other types of cargo at the Central West African nation’s biggest Atlantic port.

“We believe this partnership will position the Republic of Congo at the centre of maritime trade, in line with projections for annual growth of 3% to 5% in container volumes forecast for the country over the medium term,” added Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, regional CEO at AD Ports Group.