Luanda, Angola, 28 April – The refurbishment of facilities and introduction of new equipment at the port of Namibe in Angola will make it possible for cargo processed at the port to increase from 500,000 tons to 800,000 tons, the chairman of the port’s management company, Joaquim Neto said in Luanda.

During a seminar on leadership, finances and management control, Neto noted that a strategic plan had been drawn up to refurbish the port that was now being carried out in phases and mentioning the Moçâmedes railroad said that, “it will play an important role in the development of the country’s interior.”

In the first phase of the refurbishment of the port, which was concluded in August 2010, US$20 million was invested as part of the bilateral cooperation agreement between Angola and Japan.

For the second phase, which is due to begin in 2012, another UDS$20 million was planned, Neto said, adding that studies were underway for its execution to add 240 metres of dock and an area of 19,000 square metres for container storage. (macauhub)