Africa Global Logistics (AGL), one of the logistics and port operators in Africa, officially launched the activities of its subsidiary AGL Lobito Terminal (ALT) in Angola.
The launching event was attended by Dr. Ricardo Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Transport of Angola, AGL’s President Philippe Labonne and officials from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The operations at this terminal are implemented thanks to the 730 employees of AGL Lobito Terminal, as well as the handling equipment, information systems, and container and conventional terminal yards of the Port of Lobito. It thus offers, with a quay depth of 14m, the capacity to accommodate large-capacity ships and handle more than one million tonnes of bulk goods and more than 100,000 TEU containers per year.
The second largest port hub in Angola, the Port of Lobito is intended to meet the needs for improving the living conditions of 35 million Angolans and the populations of neighboring countries. It is positioned to play a strategic role in the global energy transition, being the first Atlantic gateway to the Copperbelt region. This port infrastructure will participate in the transport of strategic mineral flows (copper, cobalt) to international markets as well as in the development of agricultural production basins and the industrialization of the region. It will significantly reduce transit times to European and American markets, thus strengthening the efficiency of the African logistics chain.
“The Government is pleased to engage this partnership with a major operator of African logistics. Its expertise and experience will allow the Port of Lobito to have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the region. The connection of this port to the existing Benguela railway network extending over 1300 km and to the future railway line to Zambia will allow, thanks to the actions to improve the productivity of this platform, to substantially reduce the time for the transport of goods,” said the Angolan Minister of Transport.
AGL is committed through an investment plan of 100 million euros to increase the attractiveness of the terminal and to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. Thanks to its maritime, port, and logistics solutions, AGL will enable the Lobito port platform to play its role as a growth accelerator for Angola and the sub-region.
“The Lobito terminal validates our strategy aimed at improving living conditions and promoting economic competitiveness through robust and multimodal logistics solutions that meet Africa’s challenges. Our operations on the Lobito corridor will be essential to facilitate market access and support industries essential to the global economy, especially in the context of the transition to renewable energy sources,” said Philippe Labonne, President of AGL.
By bringing the port services of Lobito to international standards, AGL thus launches the industrial project that will improve the connectivity of Angola’s port platform with the support of the world’s leading shipping company, MSC. The Port of Lobito will therefore promote sustainable growth and increased regional integration.