Mediterranean Shipping Company has strengthened its strategic position at Angola’s second-largest port through its hinterland logistics operator, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), which has opened a subsidiary in Lobito.
The opening of AGL Lobito Terminal heralds a significant development for the fast-burgeoning port.
At about 1 700 kilometres to the DRC’s copper mining nerve centre of Kolwezi, Lobito is the closest bulk ore export and back-haul import port for the Copperbelt.
Even though Solwezi in Zambia is slightly further away, Lobito still offers a faster and more direct western alternative to the ports of Beira (+/- 1900km), Dar es Salaam (+/- 2400km), Walvis Bay (+/- 2700km), Durban (+/- 3000km) – in that order of competitive distance.
Following the opening of AGL Lobito Terminal, the freight forwarder said the “port is positioned to play a strategic role in the global energy transition”.
As such, it is regarded as the best Atlantic Ocean port for the Copperbelt.
“The 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 industrialisation of the region,” Statt Media Group reported.
“It will reduce transit times to European and American markets, thus strengthening the efficiency of the African logistics chain.”
Angola’s transport minister, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, said: “The government is pleased to engage in 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 1 300 km and to the future railway line to Zambia will allow it, thanks to the actions to improve the productivity of this platform, to substantially reduce the time for the transport of goods.”
AGL president Philippe Labonne said: “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.”
AGL has committed itself to an investment of €200 million in further improving efficiencies at the Port of Lobito.
