TIMOR-LESTE: September 25, 2018. Bolloré Ports has begun a three-year construction of a new Tibar Port in Timor-Leste, the country’s first public-private partnership under a 30-year concession at a total cost of US$490 million.

At the time of independence in May 2002, after decades of conflict, all public infrastructure including roads, ports and airports, water and sanitation systems, and government facilities were either non-existent, destroyed or severely dilapidated.

Since then the country has created the conditions for successful development, according to the Asia Development Bank, which suggests its prospects “hinge on prudent and effective use” of revenue from offshore petroleum production to finance investments needed to develop a sustainable non-oil economy.

The port project includes the construction of a 630-metre wharf and a 15-metre draught to handle containerships of 7,500 TEU, the creation of a 27 hectares yard, and the installation of two ship-to-shore cranes and five rubber-tired gantry cranes on start-up.

“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 instil a new economic dynamic in the region” said Bolloré Ports CEO Philippe Labonne.

The company operates 21 port concessions worldwide, including 16 in Africa.

(Pictured from left to right: Taur Matan Ruak, Timor-Leste prime minister; Arão Noé Amaral, president of the National Parliament; and Philippe Julien, Development director, Bolloré Ports.)