On 30 September 2022, Timor Port officially started its activities at Tibar Bay port with the arrival of the vessels Selatan Damai of the Singaporean company Mariana Express Lines (MELL), subsidiary of Pacific International Lines (PIL), and Meratus Pematangsiantar of the shipowner Meratus. In total, it has taken four years of work to transform this greenfield site into a new highly competitive port. The country’s first public-private partnership, this project involved a $490 million investment over a 30-year period.

Tibar Bay’s new port will target productivity and performance levels in line with those of the world’s biggest ports. It has modern infrastructures with a 630 m quay and 15 m draught. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including 2 STS gantries, 4 RTGs, 10 terminal tractors and 16 trailers.

“We are proud of the completion of this project, which we have been working on for several years. The new Tibar Bay port combines the latest innovations in equipment and operating systems and will be able to accommodate all types of vessels,” said Laurent Palayer, Managing Director of Timor Port.

The commissioning of Tibar Bay port brings with it a local development strategy through job creation followed by employee training as well as an action plan to preserve the surrounding biodiversity. Recently achieving EDGE1 certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), the new infrastructure should also soon obtain the  Green Terminal label following an audit by Bureau Veritas.

“On behalf of Africa Global Logistics, I would like to thank the Timorese authorities, the Tibar Bay teams and all our partners who have joined forces to complete this major project for the Timorese economy. This new infrastructure is a perfect illustration of our expertise in the port sector. Its commissioning will provide new opportunities and will promote regional and international trade,” said Olivier de Noray, Ports and Terminals Managing Director of AGL.