Africa-Press – Angola. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Stephane Doppagne, visited the Port of Lobito on Tuesday to learn more about its infrastructure and lay the groundwork for partnerships along the Lobito Corridor.
Speaking to the press at the end of the visit, the diplomat said he has been working with the European Union, which is already developing many initiatives in this regard, in the provinces of Benguela, Huambo and BieĢ.
He also shared information about the Port of Antwerp’s interest in strengthening relations with the Port of Lobito.
“The Port of Antwerp has great prominence in Europe due to its connections with Africa,” he stated.
He also said that Belgium has several companies operating in Angola, including Vecturis, which is part of the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium, which operates the Lobito Corridor infrastructure. “We came to see the development of the Lobito Corridor and, in particular, the activities of the Port of Lobito,” he said.
Japanese Ambassador Hiroaki Sano, visiting the Port of Lobito for the first time, reported that he received explanations about its infrastructure, operations, and its role in the Lobito Corridor.
He took the opportunity to assess the sectors in which his country can collaborate.
When asked about investments in Benguela province, he confirmed that his country has already made approximately five million dollars available to support small farmers along the Lobito Corridor.
He also announced that Japan is making contacts to supply digital television equipment in Benguela province and Luanda, having already invested twelve million dollars.
The First Secretary of the US Embassy, Jacob Doty, was also present. Although he did not make any statements to the press, it is known that he came to discuss business matters related to the Lobito Corridor.
Finally, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Lobito, Celso Rosas, said that the company intends to intervene in the quay, with a depth of 14.7 meters, which will allow all large ships to operate in the infrastructure.
“This involves dredging. Technical and environmental impact studies have already been completed, and resources are now being mobilized to begin work in the next quarter,” he reported.
He said that the visit by the multisectoral commission to combat money laundering crimes only confirmed what the Port has already been working on in this regard.
“We are a Port open to the world and have implemented good management practices. Our activities are governed by very clear principles of transparency, openness, and integrity, because we have nothing to hide. Right here, we combat acts of corruption, transgressions, and infractions against the economy, which is why we are a company certified by international ISO standards and a member of the United Nations Global Compact,” he stated.
Construction of the Port of Lobito began in 1903, but operations only began in 1928. Since then, it has operated as an Operating Port. On December 11, 2023, it became a Landlord Port, after the concession of the multipurpose terminals (general and containerized cargo) to Africa Global Logist and, later, the mineral terminal to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium.
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