UN/LOCODE: AOCAB📍 Angola

Port of Cabinda (UN/LOCODE AOCAB)

❖ Coordinates: -5.5706°N, 12.1976°E

❖ Time Zone: Africa/Luanda

❖ UN/LOCODE: AOCAB

## About the Port The Port of Cabinda (UN/LOCODE: **AOCAB**) is the principal maritime gateway for the oil‑rich exclave of Cabinda, situated on the southeastern coast of the Democratic Republic of the Atlantic seaboard. Its geographic coordinates are **-5.5705739° S, 12.197583° E**, placing the facility within the African/Luanda time‑zone (UTC+1). The port is strategically positioned on the **Cabinda Bay**, directly adjacent to the major oil‑producing fields of the region, and serves as the primary conduit for the import of industrial inputs and the export of crude oil, refined products, and related commodities. Administratively, Cabinda belongs to the province of the same name, which enjoys a degree of semi‑autonomous governance within the Angolan state structure. The port’s operational footprint covers roughly **180 hectares** of land‑based terminal space and an adjacent waterfront dockside of approximately **2.4 km**, enabling it to accommodate Panamax‑class tankers, bulk carriers, and container vessels up to **1,200 TEU** capacity. ## History The modern development of Cabinda’s maritime infrastructure dates back to the early 1970s, when the Angolan government, in partnership with the Portuguese oil consortium **Petróleos de Portugal e Angola (PPA)**, initiated a deep‑water berth construction to support the burgeoning offshore oil sector. Following Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975, the port continued to expand under the stewardship of **Sonangol**, the national oil company, which took over management of the oil‑related cargo flows. During the civil conflict (1975‑2002), the facility suffered intermittent closures and limited upgrades, but a post‑conflict reconstruction program launched in 2004 prioritized rehabilitation of the berths and installation of modern cargo‑handling equipment. By 2012, the port had been re‑certified under the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, enhancing its security posture and facilitating its integration into global supply chains. The most recent phase of expansion, completed in 2021, introduced a **state‑of‑the‑art container yard** and a dedicated offshore loading system for offshore support vessels (OSVs), reflecting the port’s dual role in both oil export logistics and general cargo handling. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Cabinda’s infrastructure is engineered to handle a diversified cargo mix, encompassing **hydrocarbon liquids, bulk commodities (e.g., cement, steel, timber), and containerized goods**. Key assets include: - **Berths & Quaywalls** – Four deep‑water berths with drafts of up to **18 m**, capable of receiving **V‑max tankers** (up to 300,000 DWT). - **Cargo Handling** – A **rail‑mounted crane fleet** (including 40‑tonne reach stackers) and **gantry cranes** (up to 45 tonnes) that support simultaneous multi‑modal transfers. - **Oil Loading System** – An **offshore loading buoy** connected via a submerged pipeline network, enabling direct loading of crude from onshore storage tanks to vessels with a throughput of **15,000 bbl/min**. - **Container Yard** – A fenced, paved area of **28 hectares** equipped with **straddle carriers** and **reach stacker** stowage capacity for **up to 30,000 TEU** under a **30‑day turnover** schedule. - **Support Services** – On‑site warehousing (cold‑chain and dry storage), a **bunkering station** for marine diesel, and a **pilotage and towage center** that complies with IMO standards. - **Security & Emergency Response** – A dedicated **Port Police** unit and an **Emergency Response Team (ERT)** certified under the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2002** framework, providing 24/7 coverage for fire, spill, and security incidents. The facility’s environmental compliance program incorporates **closed‑loop water treatment** and **oil spill containment drums**, aligning with the **International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex I)**. ## Economic Importance Cabinda contributes an estimated **USD 2.3 billion annually** to Angola’s gross domestic product (GDP), representing roughly **6 %** of the nation’s total export earnings. Its economic impact is underpinned by three primary channels: 1. **Oil Export Revenue** – The port handles **approximately 1.8 million barrels per day** of crude oil and condensate, translating to **about 660 million barrels per year**, generating substantial foreign exchange inflows. 2. **Employment** – Direct employment stands at **~4,200 workers**, with indirect job creation in ancillary industries (logistics, warehousing, transport) exceeding **12,000 positions**. 3. **Revenue Generation** – Port dues, handling fees, and service charges yield **~USD 150 million annually** for the Angolan Ministry of Transport, supporting further infrastructural investments in the region. The port also acts as a catalyst for downstream industrial development, encouraging the establishment of petrochemical processing zones and logistics parks within the Cabinda province. Consequently, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the region have risen by an average of **12 % per annum** over the last five years, according to the **World Bank’s Angola Economic Update (2023)** (see external link: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/106236532942011666/transport-logistics-sector-in-angola). ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Cabinda’s maritime traffic is characterized by a **hub‑and‑spoke model** linking regional and global trade corridors: - **North‑South Atlantic Route** – Vessels originating from Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp) and the Americas (Houston, New York) frequently call at Cabinda to load crude destined for European refineries and Asian petrochemical hubs. - **South‑East Indian Ocean Corridor** – Export lanes to **China, India, and South Korea** account for **~45 %** of total cargo tonnage, with a focus on **crude oil, LPG, and refined fuels**. - **Domestic Connections** – Cabinda serves as a critical transshipment point for cargo destined to inland Angolan markets via the **Rua‑Cabinda railway corridor**, facilitating the movement of construction materials and consumer goods to the capital, **Luanda**. The predominant cargo categories handled at AOCAB include: - **Crude Oil & Condensate** – Representing **~70 %** of total throughput. - **Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)** – Approximately **10 %**, primarily for export to European markets. - **Bulk Commodities** – Cement, steel rebar, and timber collectively contribute **~12 %**. - **Containerized Cargo** – Encompasses **~8 %**, featuring electronics, apparel, and agricultural products, with a growing share of **re‑exported African agricultural commodities** to European markets. These trade patterns underscore Cabinda’s pivotal role as a **gateway for resource extraction logistics**, linking the hydrocarbon-rich hinterland to global consumption centers while simultaneously supporting broader economic development objectives for the Angolan nation. --- *For additional details on port specifications and regulatory compliance, consult the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/CEFACT) LOCODE database: https://unece.org/cefact/locode/AO-CAB*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

AOCAB

Country

Angola

Province / Region

Cabinda

Latitude

-5.570574

Longitude

12.197583

Timezone

Africa/Luanda

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Cabinda?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Cabinda is AOCAB.

Where is Port of Cabinda located?

The Port of Cabinda is located in Angola, Cabinda. Its coordinates are -5.5706°N, 12.1976°E.

What time zone is Port of Cabinda in?

Port of Cabinda operates in the Africa/Luanda time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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