Lagos — Africa Global Logistics, AGL, a subsidiary of Congo Terminal, is gearing up for the expansion of the Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo, ROC. The company, in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation, aims to position Pointe-Noire as a maritime hub in Central Africa with the addition of a new port platform scheduled for early-2027.
At an investment of €400 million, the new platform comprises 750m of deep quays, developed to a depth of 17m, as well as 26 hectares of quayside, 16 gantries and state-of-the-art electrical equipment.
A dredging campaign is also in the cards to widen the channel to up to 300m. The new infrastructure will allow the port to accommodate larger-capacity container ships as the country aims to boost oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and LNG capacity to upwards of 3 million tons per annum (mtpa) within the next five years.
As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber, AEC, commends the efforts by energy and construction firms to strengthen the country’s port infrastructure. The AEC believes that the addition of a new port platform will catalyse trade across the region, while affirming ROC’s position as a major global hydrocarbon exporter.
With the new platform, the port will be able to increase terminal capacity from 1 million containers per annum to upwards of 2.3 million containers per annum, while creating up to 900 new jobs for the local workforce.
The addition of a new port platform will be instrumental in supporting the ROC’s trade and production ambitions. In the natural gas industry, the country aims to become a regional heavyweight in gas monetisation. The ROC started operations at the first phase of its inaugural LNG project, Congo LNG in December 2023.
Featuring an FLNG vessel (Tango) with a capacity of 0.6 mtpa, this initial phase has positioned the country as an LNG exporter. A second FLNG vessel is currently being constructed at the Wison shipyard in China, which will boost the project’s capacity to 3 mtpa once operational by the end of 2025.
Beyond Congo LNG, projects are underway to boost LNG exports even further. Chinese energy company Wing Wah is developing the Bango Kayo onshore project, set to transform previously-flared gas into LNG, LPG and polypropylene. While the majority of these products are destined for domestic markets, excess resources will be exported, highlighting the critical need for strengthened port infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the oil sector, the country has set a target to increase production to 500,000 bpd within the next three to five years. Several projects are in the works to achieve this goal.
Notably, energy company Perenco strives to boost output at its operated assets to 100,000 bpd by 2025, investing $300 million in 2024 to support this goal. Additionally, China Oil Natural Gas Overseas subsidiary Cogo has invested $150 million to enhance production at the Conkouati-Koui and Nanga III fields.
To support production targets, the country is prioritising the implementation of policy that incentivizes investment and drives integrated development. The ROC is preparing to launch a Gas Master Plan and new Gas Code soon while launching an upstream licensing round in Q1, 2025. These policies promote transparency and fiscal clarity, providing a comprehensive framework for investing in the ROC’s oil and gas sectors. With the expanded port, the country is not only ensuring it is well-positioned to support energy projects but essentially attracts fresh investment across the entire energy value chain.
According to NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, The ROC is laying the foundation for a strong and resilient energy sector.
“From incentivizing offshore exploration to working closely with investors to bolster production to investing heavily in infrastructure projects and cross-border ventures, the country is setting the stage for a future built on collaborative energy developments. With the addition of the new port platform, the Port of Pointe-Noire will be well-positioned to become a regional hub, not only for energy trade but broader economic activities,” he stated.
He added: “The AGL and China Road and Bridge Corporation investment will have a profoundly positive impact on the local economy and community. The project will create numerous job opportunities for citizens, with a focus on empowering women and young people through training, capacity building and entrepreneurship support.”
