Celso Rosas, Chairman of the Port of Lobito - «The main strategic ambition is to establish the Port of Lobito as a leading logistics hub in Africa […]”»

The Port of Lobito is emerging as a strategic logistics hub in Angola and across the African continent. In this interview, Chairman of the Board of Directors Celso Rosas talks about the port’s modernisation, its status in the logistics corridor and its role in the new geopolitics of critical minerals, as well as the vision for the port’s future as a leading hub in Africa.

What sets the Port of Lobito apart today in the competitive marketplace of major African Atlantic ports?
The Port of Lobito stands out for its geostrategic location in the South Atlantic, making it one of the shortest and most efficient gateways to the interior of Southern and Central Africa. This advantage is further enhanced by its connection to the Lobito Corridor, which forms part of the Benguela Railway, providing competitive access to countries such as the DRC and Zambia. This is accompanied by operational modernisation, with investments in equipment, the digitalisation of processes and improved logistical efficiency, reducing waiting times, increasing predictability and building the confidence of international operators. Another highlight is its multi-purpose capabilities, enabling it to handle general cargo, containers, and solid and liquid bulk, and thus ensure flexibility in a volatile global context. This is further complemented by a commitment to good governance, sustainability and public-private partnerships, thus positioning the Port of Lobito as a modern hub that is aligned with the best international practices.

How is the port positioned to respond to the new geopolitics of critical minerals and global logistics chains?
The Port of Lobito plays a pivotal role in the transport of critical minerals, such as copper and cobalt from the DRC and Zambia. The strategy involves the modernisation and expansion of infrastructure, including specialised terminals and solutions suited to the handling of these resources. Alongside this, the digitalisation and streamlining of customs procedures are progressing, reducing bureaucratic constraints. Collaboration with international partners and global operators provides know-how, investment and stringent operational standards, bringing the port into line with modern supply chains. Added to this is a focus on sustainable logistics and trackability, which are key in the energy transition. The integration between rail and port ensures efficiency, making the corridor faster, safer and more competitive. As such, the Port of Lobito is positioning itself as a leading regional logistics hub, fostering intra-African trade and international investment. It is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact, committing to principles of human rights, labour standards, the environment and the fight against corruption.

What structural benefits has the integration of port and rail infrastructure with international operators brought?
The coordination between the Port of Lobito, the Benguela Railway and international operators has established an interconnected logistics corridor. This has led to a reduction in logistics costs and transit times, making it more competitive compared to alternative routes and enhancing its appeal to trade. Cargo handling capacity has increased, benefiting from the complementarity between sea and rail transport, ensuring greater fluidity from the hinterland to the port. The involvement of international operators has brought about better management practices, greater transparency and operational efficiency, enhancing the credibility of the corridor. In broader terms, this integration stimulates value chains, creates jobs and strengthens Angola’s economic integration with the region and the world.

«The Port of Lobito plays a pivotal role in the transport of critical minerals, such as copper and cobalt from the DRC and Zambia.»

What is the strategic ambition defining the future of the Port of Lobito as a major logistics hub in Africa?
The main strategic ambition is to establish the Port of Lobito as a leading logistics hub in Africa, connecting the Atlantic to the mineral and industrial production centres in the continent’s interior. This vision is built on expanding capacity, technological innovation and regional integration. It will require ongoing investment in modern infrastructure, digitalisation and smart logistics solutions. The intention is to establish the port as a centre of excellence in logistics services, attracting global operators, promoting logistics and industrial zones, and generating value for the national economy. The training of highly qualified national human resources is equally important. The mission is to act as a hub for intermodality and logistics, functioning not only as a point of transit for goods but also as a driver of economic development, regional integration and furthering Angola’s standing in international trade.

Tell us a little about the dredging process.
The dredging of the mooring quay is currently underway, covering an area of around 140,000 square metres, with the removal of approximately 90,000 cubic metres of material. This work will restore the operational depths to 14.7 metres at the Container Terminal and 11.5 metres at the North and South quays. Scheduled to take three months, the work is being carried out with technical precision and constant monitoring, ensuring the continuity of port operations. This is a maintenance dredging project aimed at restoring the seabed in the North, South and East zones, improving navigability and enabling larger ships to be accommodated, thereby increasing operational efficiency. It also enhances the port’s appeal to shipowners and logistics operators. More than just a technical operation, it demonstrates a commitment to the continuous modernisation of infrastructure, creating the conditions for sustainable growth, attracting new shipping routes and increasing the volume of cargo handled.

Text: Editorial Team
Photos: Rights Reserved