Eiffage Génie Civil starts quay construction at Matadi Port

Eiffage Génie Civil has installed the first pile for a new quay at the Port of Matadi, marking the start of major works under the container terminal renovation and expansion contract awarded in January 2025.

The operation represents a key construction milestone for the project, which aims to upgrade and extend container-handling infrastructure at one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most important river ports. The piling works were executed in ground conditions characterised by high hardness and geological heterogeneity.

To address these conditions, Eiffage Génie Civil Marine teams applied specialised foundation techniques, including down-the-hole hammer drilling and Symmetrix drilling. These methods enabled accurate pile installation while maintaining stability and alignment in complex subsurface conditions.

The contract, awarded by Matadi Corridor Terminaux à Conteneurs and supervised by project manager Ingérop, includes the construction of a new pile-supported quay measuring 347 metres in length and 30 metres in width. Additional scope includes three 20-metre-wide access gangways crossing the existing quay, an operations building, a workshop, and the refurbishment of seven hectares of logistics platform. A dedicated on-site concrete plant has been established to support construction activities.

A major technical constraint of the project is the requirement to keep the existing quay fully operational throughout all construction phases. The works are being carried out in a geographically constrained river environment, requiring careful coordination of marine operations and logistics.

The project is expected to contribute to regional economic development in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kongo Central province. More than 90% of the workforce employed on site will be recruited locally, supporting skills transfer and on-the-job training during construction.

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