Port Technical Data
01 Character
Small commercial port whose real significance
today is as Angola's offshore fabrication
centre: the Paenal and Sonamet yards build
jackets, decks and offshore structures for the
petroleum industry.
02 Max draft / vessel (commercial)
Commercial operations constrained to ~6.8 m
draft and ~141 m LOA.
Historically served by tankers and general-cargo
vessels; confirm current condition of the
commercial quay.
03 Fabrication yard quay
Paenal yard developed with a heavy-load quay
wall of ~460 m and a ~630 m breakwater
(design), built for load-out of offshore
structures and berthing of product tankers.
Confirm current operational status of quay and
load-out capacity with the yard.
04 Recent activity
The Sonamet/Paenal complex fabricated the
~1,100 t jacket for Chevron's South N'Dola
wellhead platform (Block 0), which achieved
first oil in December 2025 — the yards remain
active in offshore construction.
05 Cargo types
Offshore structures (load-out/load-in), project
cargo, yard logistics; limited tanker and
general cargo historically.
06 Anchorage
Open coastal anchorage; harbour classified as
small with limited shelter.
07 Tide & time
Exposed coastal location; operations weather-
08 restrictions
dependent. Confirm working limits with local
authorities.
09 Pilotage
Formal pilotage/towage services limited;
movements coordinated locally and with the
yards.
10 ISPS
Confirm current ISPS facility status for the
commercial quay and yard berths.
11 Key operators
Sonamet (Sonangol group) and Paenal
fabrication yards; port under national port
administration.
Frequently asked questions
Primarily as Angola's offshore fabrication hub: the Sonamet and Paenal
yards build jackets, decks and offshore structures for the petroleum
industry — including the jacket for Chevron's South N'Dola platform,
which achieved first oil in December 2025.
Commercial operations are constrained to roughly 6.8 m draft and about
141 m LOA, historically serving tankers and general-cargo vessels. The
fabrication yard quay was built for heavy load-outs and tanker berthing
— confirm current operating limits with the yard and port authorities.
No significant container operations — the port's activity centres on
offshore fabrication logistics, project cargo and yard support, with
limited general cargo.
Yes. Wadmar provides agency, husbandry and logistics support for
project cargo, yard-related calls and offshore support movements at
Porto Amboim, coordinating with the fabrication yards and local
authorities.