The government of Angola has said it is about to launch a tender for the design, construction and operation of the port of Dande, about 30km north of Luanda.
The plan to build the port, complete with special economic zone, was put forward in 2011, after it became apparent that the country’s main port at Luanda was nearing peak capacity.
Preliminary work was begun and then suspended owing to lack of public funds and a downturn in trade after the collapse of oil prices.
It appeared to be revived last year when former president José Eduardo dos Santos approved a budget of $1.5bn, but it was then cancelled by João Lourenço, who took power after elections in September.
The government now plans to launch an international tender for the work, and has created a body to oversee the process made up of members of the Maritime and Port Institute of Angola and the ministries of transport, finance and public works.
At present Angola has only four ports – Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe – all of which have restricted capacity.
Work is under way on a sixth port in the north of the country, Porto de Caio, which is being built and part-financed by China, Angola’s leading trade partner (see further reading).
Image: A shipwreck on the beach at the Barro da Dande (Dreamstime)
