ICTSI DR Congo Terminal to commence operations in August

The new facility along the Congo River will serve the container and general cargo shipping sectors, according to a statement from port terminal operator International Container Terminal Services Inc.    The International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI’s) new ICTSI DR Congo Terminal at Matadi is scheduled to commence operations August 2016 to serve the container and general cargo shipping sectors, ICTSI said.
   Situated along the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Matadi serves an extensive hinterland, including the capital city of Kinshasa, the largest city in Central Africa.
   Initially, the ICTSI DR Congo Terminal will have one berth. However, when phase one is fully delivered by November 2016, the terminal will be equipped with two berths with a total quay line of 350 meters. The depth alongside the quay will be 12 meters.
   The ICTSI DR Congo Terminal will have an annual handling capacity of 175,000 TEUs and its nine-hectare terminal area will incorporate a six-hectare yard area.
   ICTSI also has the option to implement a second phase of development to provide an additional 350 meters of quay line and supporting yard area.
   “We are ready to undertake this, as it is just a matter of timing in line with demand,” ICTSI Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa Regions Hans-Ole Madsen said. “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.”
   The terminal is a joint venture between ICTSI, the Ledya Group and SCTP SA.
   ICTSI is also looking into dredging the Congo River in steps from 7.3 meters to 9.1 meters, 11 meters and then possibly even 12 meters.
   Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ICTSI operates 29 terminals across 20 countries.