ICTSI to open Congo terminal in August

MANILA, Philippines – Listed International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is on track to open its new terminal, located in Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the second half.

In a statement yesterday, ICTSI said the new terminal in Matadi is on schedule to open for business in August and would initially commence operations with one berth.

A second berth, meanwhile, would be incorporated and used at the new terminal by November this year.

The facility will have a container handling capacity of 175,000 20-foot equivalent units per year with a nine hectare terminal area incorporating a yard area of six hectares.

“We are very pleased to be progressing this $100 million investment on schedule in Matadi,” Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa said.

He added the works are going well and the firm is confident current and future cargo handling requirements for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in both the container and general cargo handling sectors would be addressed by the new terminal.

ICTSI has the option to immediately implement the second phase development for the new terminal by providing an additional 350 m of quay line and supporting yard area.

Madsen said the firm is ready to undertake development of the second phase.

“We are very confident that we can build on the new efficiencies that phase one will deliver including reduced vessel waiting time and reduced transit times for goods from point of origin to destination,” he said.

Matadi is the chief sea port of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capital of the Kongo-Central province. It serves an extensive hinterland including the capital city of Kinshasa, the largest city in Central Africa.