Ports in Angola — Luanda and Namibe: Port Codes, Berths and Climate
Summary:Angola’s state seaport network is led by Luanda (UN/LOCODE AOLAD), one of West Africa’s major ports, with Namibe as the country’s third most important port. This page summarises berth lengths, water depths, climate and the cargo each port handles, based on our port records.
Port information: Luanda (AOLAD)
- Port code: AOLAD
- Ranking: Angola’s largest seaport and main commercial centre; a leading port of West Africa
- Local time: 7 hours behind Beijing (UTC+1)
- Airport: about 8.3 km from the port, handling large aircraft with scheduled services to Europe, Africa and Brazil
- Exports: crude oil, diamonds, fish products, iron ore
- Imports: steel, coal, machinery, flour
Luanda enjoys an excellent natural harbour and a busy construction sector that has driven much of Angola’s economic growth. Most containerised cargo from China is discharged here before onward carriage.
| Berth group | Berths | Quay length | Max water depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and breakbulk berths | 6 | 1,018 m | about 10 m |
| Container berths | 5 | 1,005 m | up to 11 m |
Climate and tides
Luanda has a tropical savanna climate with a mean annual temperature of about 22 °C. The May–August period frequently brings fog and overcast skies (the local cacimbo season), which can slow cargo operations. Rainfall is light — on the order of 500 mm a year in our source records. Mean tide level is 1.7 m at high water and 0.8 m at low water.
Port information: Namibe
- Location: south-western Angola, 15°12′ S, 12°09′ E
- Ranking: Angola’s third most important port
- Throughput: about 200,000 tonnes a year, including roughly 2,500 TEU in and out
- Inbound cargo: food, construction materials and equipment supplied to neighbouring Huila Province
- Exports: fish, seafood and agricultural products, plus marble and granite
- Airport: Namibe Airport, about 7 km south-west of the port
- Size limit: small port; maximum draft 10 m
- Local time: 7 hours behind Beijing (UTC+1)
Namibe is a compact port: most of its calls are coastal and regional vessels feeding Luanda and other Angolan ports, with a steady export trade in marble and granite blocks. Shippers with project cargo for southern Angola often compare Namibe with routing via Walvis Bay and the northern Namibian border.
Berth lengths, depths and schedules in this page come from our port records and change as works progress. Confirm current terminal data when booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the port code for Luanda, Angola?
Luanda’s UN/LOCODE is AOLAD. It appears on bills of lading and manifests for the great majority of containerised cargo from China to Angola.
Which Angolan port should I choose, Luanda or Namibe?
For general cargo and containers, Luanda (AOLAD) is the practical choice — it has the deepest container berths (up to 11 m) and the most frequent services from China and from European transhipment hubs. Namibe mainly serves southern Angola, with a 10 m maximum draft and about 2,500 TEU a year.
How long does shipping from China to Angola take?
Direct and transhipment services to Luanda are typically quoted at roughly 35–45 days port to port depending on the carrier and routing. Confirm the current schedule at booking, as West Africa services adjust seasonally.
What does Luanda port export and import?
Exports include crude oil, diamonds, fish products and iron ore; imports include steel, coal, machinery and flour. The port also feeds a large share of Angola’s general consumer imports.
Does fog affect operations at Luanda?
Yes — the May–August cacimbo season often brings fog and low cloud, and pilotage or stevedoring can slow down. Build a small buffer into delivery promises for that period.
Ship from China to Angola with Goodhope Freight
Goodhope Freight (China) Limited is a China-based international freight forwarder and NVOCC (license GD20230925153335), moving FCL, LCL, air and door-to-door cargo from every major Chinese port and city to Angola since 2012. Send the commodity, gross weight, volume, packing list and destination port, and we will confirm the routing, schedule and all-in rate: sales007@goodhopefreight.com or WhatsApp / WeChat +86 18938691638.
