The Lobito Port Upgrading is a strategic transport project designed to unlock regional trade potential by modernizing Angola's second-largest port. It is a cornerstone of the Lobito Atlantic Corridor initiative, which includes the revitalized Benguela Railway. The project focuses on expanding physical infrastructure, constructing a specialized mineral terminal, and improving operational efficiency to serve as a primary export route for minerals from the Copperbelt region. Recent developments include significant international partnership agreements for corridor development. Key stakeholders include the Government of Angola (via the Ministry of Transport and the Port of Lobito Authority), the Lobito Corridor Concessionaires (a consortium including Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the European Union, and the African Development Bank.
The Lobito Port Upgrading project is a major infrastructure initiative in Angola aimed at modernizing and expanding the Port of Lobito to increase its capacity and efficiency. The project scope includes the expansion of the port area by 80,000 m2, the upgrading of existing dry dock facilities, and the construction of a new mineral terminal covering 150,000 m2 to serve the Lobito Corridor's mining exports. Key technical components involve deepening the access channel and berths, installing new cargo handling equipment (including gantry cranes), and constructing modern warehouses and container yards. The project is a critical node in the Lobito Atlantic Corridor, linking the port to the interior of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Zambia.
1. Increase the port's total handling capacity from approximately 1.5 million tons to over 3 million tons annually. 2. Expand the port's operational area by 80,000 square meters. 3. Construct a dedicated mineral terminal to facilitate the export of copper, cobalt, and other minerals from the DRC and Zambia, with an initial capacity target of 1 million tons per year. 4. Reduce vessel turnaround time by 30% through improved operational efficiency and infrastructure. 5. Position Lobito as a strategic gateway for regional trade and a key alternative to southern African ports.