Congo River's terminal gateway for Kinshasa takes next step
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the second phase expansion of its Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT), located 148 km upstream on the left bank of the Congo River, is underway. The Phase 2 expansion is expected to more than double MGT’s current annual throughput capacity to 400,000 teu. The terminal is run by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and serves the fast-growing country's capital of Kinshasa and surrounding hinterland.
Besides the quay extension from 375 m to 500 m, the installation of two STS gantry cranes and the doubling of the terminal yard to 105,000 sqm, new rolling equipment for the rail system between Matadi and Kinshasa will be introduced by Société Congolaise des Transports et des Ports (SCTP), an MGT shareholder and operator of the public port and rail system.
There are also plans to implement a public private partnership (PPP) scheme to dredge the Congo River initially to a depth of 10 m and subsequently to 12.5 m. Implementation of this project will commence in 2020 and will promote lower marine freight rates and further enhance Matadi’s competitiveness. (fd)