Angolan cargo carrier Unicargas to invest US $40M in Luanda Port

Luanda, Angola – Angolan company Transportadora de Cargas, Terminal Operator and Freight Forwarder (Unicargas) indicated today it will invest 40 million dollars (almost 35 million euros) in the infrastructure recovery of the multipurpose terminal of Port of Luanda.

According to the president of the board of directors of Unicargas, Celso Rosa, the investments will allow the acquisition of equipment, in order to ensure the operation of the port space and will cover the dock of the cargo terminal of the Port of Luanda.

The implementation of the project, he said, has already begun, with the preparation of a feasibility study and research of partnerships and possible funding sources, as well as the process of restructuring and reorganizing the company, reducing costs and increasing revenues.

Celso Rosa, quoted by the Angolan press, said that Unicargas will make another investment in the cargo terminal of the Catumbela International Airport in Benguela province, so that the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAVIC) can license the space and provide all kinds of operations.

Without advancing data regarding the results achieved in 2018, Celso Rosa said it was a positive year compared to 2017.

The restructuring of the company, he added, also involves the acquisition of 100 new cargo trucks, which will run through 2019, which will join the 117 currently operating, a fleet that includes 113 other damaged vehicles.

The operator plans to open three new branches in the provinces of Zaire (Soyo), Malanje and Cunene, according to Celso Rosa, with the acquisition of the new means and the recovery of around 50 of the 113 inoperative trucks.

Currently, Unicargas has offices in the provinces of Cabinda, Moxico, Benguela and Luanda, delegations that ensure the transportation of cargo throughout the country.

Until August 2018, Unicargas’ accumulated debt reached 9 billion kwanzas (25.3 million euros).

Due to the increase of the debts contracted in the past by the Unicargas, the company has difficulties to cover the expenses with the personnel.

At the balance meeting of the six months of management of the current Board of Directors of Unicargas, Celso Rosas promised to work to increase levels of production and productivity, aiming to increase the company’s revenues.

In the six months of the administration, 2,200 million kwanzas (6.2 million euros) were collected, transporting 300 thousand tons of different goods from the multipurpose terminal of the Port of Luanda to various parts of the country.

In the same period, a total of 48 vessels were operated, with 5,800 trips, reaching an operating rate of 86 per cent.

Unicargas has existed for 30 years (1989) and has 733 employees, distributed in the provinces of Luanda, Benguela, Cabinda and Mexico.