MANILA's International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) has commenced the second phase of expansion for its Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT) on Congo River serving the DRC's capital Kinshasa.
The phase two expansion works will double MGT's annual container throughput capacity to 400,000 TEU. As the closest port to Kinshasa, Matadi offers the lowest inland transport costs, said ICTSI in a statement.
The introduction of new rolling equipment onto the rail system between Matadi and Kinshasa by Societe Congolaise des Transports et des Ports (SCTP), an MGT shareholder, will further strengthen the port's competitive position. So too will the realisation of plans to implement a public private partnership (PPP) scheme to dredge the Congo river initially to a depth of 10 metres and later to 12.5 metres.
Implementation of this project will commence in 2020 and will promote lower marine freight rates.
'The expansion of MGT is aligned with actual and projected container growth rates for the DRC and corresponds with cargo owner and shipping line requirements for the medium term,' said ICTSI senior vice president Hans Ole Madsen.
'The market is seeing positive growth albeit off a relatively low base in terms of total demand. Studies suggest that Congo will achieve emerging market country status within the next 10 years and as such we are very confident that this nearly US$100 million expansion plan anticipates the DRC's requirements over this period and will deliver unrivalled efficiencies,' he added.
The key components of the phase two expansion include: quay extension from 375 metres to 500m in order to berth two WAFMAX dimension vessels simultaneously; doubling of the terminal yard area to 10.5 hectares to optimise container capacity, stacking and clearance/drop-off arrangements; and installation of two ship-to-shore container gantries to boost vessel turnaround times.
In addition, new landside yard handling equipment is expected to further optimise container capacity, stacking and clearance/ drop-off arrangements; and terminal operations from vessel planning to yard operations are to be improved to lower truck cycle times and dwell times.
WORLD SHIPPING
The phase two expansion works will double MGT's annual container throughput capacity to 400,000 TEU. As the closest port to Kinshasa, Matadi offers the lowest inland transport costs, said ICTSI in a statement.
The introduction of new rolling equipment onto the rail system between Matadi and Kinshasa by Societe Congolaise des Transports et des Ports (SCTP), an MGT shareholder, will further strengthen the port's competitive position. So too will the realisation of plans to implement a public private partnership (PPP) scheme to dredge the Congo river initially to a depth of 10 metres and later to 12.5 metres.
Implementation of this project will commence in 2020 and will promote lower marine freight rates.
'The expansion of MGT is aligned with actual and projected container growth rates for the DRC and corresponds with cargo owner and shipping line requirements for the medium term,' said ICTSI senior vice president Hans Ole Madsen.
'The market is seeing positive growth albeit off a relatively low base in terms of total demand. Studies suggest that Congo will achieve emerging market country status within the next 10 years and as such we are very confident that this nearly US$100 million expansion plan anticipates the DRC's requirements over this period and will deliver unrivalled efficiencies,' he added.
The key components of the phase two expansion include: quay extension from 375 metres to 500m in order to berth two WAFMAX dimension vessels simultaneously; doubling of the terminal yard area to 10.5 hectares to optimise container capacity, stacking and clearance/drop-off arrangements; and installation of two ship-to-shore container gantries to boost vessel turnaround times.
In addition, new landside yard handling equipment is expected to further optimise container capacity, stacking and clearance/ drop-off arrangements; and terminal operations from vessel planning to yard operations are to be improved to lower truck cycle times and dwell times.
WORLD SHIPPING