On Friday, June 3, took place the official signing ceremony of the concession contract for the new port of Tibar Bay, between Bolloré Transport & Logistics and the State of Timor Leste, in the presence of the Ministers of Transport Mr. Gastão de Sousa and Finance Mrs Santina Cardoso, and the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, former Head of State, former Prime Minister and independence leader Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

Following an international call for tenders launched by the Timor Leste authorities, Bolloré Ports, a division of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, was selected for the implementation of this project. The firm beat out competition from three other shortlisted companies: International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Mota-Engil - Ambiente e Serviço, SGPS, S.A. (MEAS), and The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (POSNCO).

The global investment is set at US$ 490 million over the term of the concession.

As we reported on February 3, 2106, the project involves the design, construction, finance and operation of the new port for a period of 30 years. 

It comprises the construction of a 630 meter wharf with a draught of 15 meters, the creation of a 27 ha yard along the western side of Tibar Bay and the acquisition of equipment, including 2 ship-to-shore cranes (STS) and 5 rubber tired gantry cranes (RTG) on start-up.Timor Leste‘s new container terminal will target productivity and performance levels in line with those of the world's biggest ports. 

Three years of work will be necessary for the construction of the port.

Philippe Labonne, CEO of Bolloré Ports and Deputy CEO of Bolloré Transport and Logistics, stated:

"We are very proud to have been selected to work with the Timor Leste authorities. By facilitating trade, this project will give new impetus to the country's economy, for the benefit of all its inhabitants."