Bolloré Ports has kicked off the construction of the Tibar port in East Timor, a Southeast Asian nation occupying half the island of Timor, in what is the country's first public-private partnership.
The terminal operator, a branch of the Bolloré Transport & Logistics, has estimated that it will take three years to construct the greenfield port’s 27-hectare yard and 630-metre wharf with a 15-metre draught.
After an international call for tenders, the Timor Leste authorities selected Bolloré Ports for the USD $490 million, 30-year contract ― the largest investment ever made in Timor Leste with a private partner.
This port project also includes the installation of two ship-to-shore cranes (STS) and five rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG) on start-up.
East Timor’s new container terminal will have a capacity of 7,500 TEU.
Read about sustainable terminal automation in a Port Technology technical paper
The project’s launch ceremony took place on the 19th anniversary of the country's referendum of independence on August 30, 2018, in the presence of Arão Noé Amaral, President of the National Parliament, Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister, and Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, former Head of State and former Prime Minister.
To preserve biodiversity, environmental studies were also conducted for one year before starting the first phase of construction.
Philippe Labonne, CEO of Bolloré Ports, commented: “Today, we are pleased to announce the start of works on the new Tibar port in Timor Leste.
“Our Group is very proud to have accompanied the country in this new step in its development.
“This new ultra-modern portal hub will promote maritime trade, particularly between China and Northern Australia, and thus instill a new economic dynamic in the region.”
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