‘Exclusive’ Luanda terminal saves time and money for shippers

NileDutch’s long relationship with the port of Luanda helped secure the 5M terminal on an exclusive basis, according to Marc Smulders, general manager of NileDutch Angola. “Shippers save the costs and reduce the risks of having to transfer containers to one of the dry ports serving Luanda, which are between 50 and 60 kilometres of the harbour,” says Smulders, and transit times through the port have been significantly shortened. “Customs works well. The officials are well paid and well educated, thanks to a number of training initiatives,” he says. Greater efficiency is needed to support the economic growth of the country. There is a country-wide upgrade of rail, road, port and airport infrastructure. 5M Terminal handles all types of general cargo. It has 580 metres of quayside, and is capable of catering for three vessels simultaneously. It has three new mobile cranes, six Hong Kong barges, 16 reach stackers, mafitrailers, 600 trucks and other auxiliary vehicles. 5M can store 6 000 full TEUs three levels high, 2 000 empty containers, and has 200 reefer slots. NileDutch also has offices in Lobito, Cabinda, Namibe, Malongo, Soyo in Angola, as well as Point Noire, Douala, Libreville, Matadi and Kinshasa.