Subsea works, underwater UXO clearance and hyperbaric operations.
SEMTEC, the subsea subsidiary of DEMINETEC Group, brings underwater inspection, marine UXO clearance and hyperbaric works expertise to the port and industrial community of Luanda (Angola). Our Class II commercial divers — certified under French Decree 2011-45 (hyperbaric class B) and trained to NEDEX/EOD standards — operate on harbours, marine structures, ships' hulls and coastal areas contaminated by 20th-century conflicts.
Luanda is the capital of Angola, one of the world's most landmine-affected countries. Angola endured the war of independence against Portugal (1961-1974) and a civil war between MPLA, UNITA and FNLA from 1975 to 2002, with massive Soviet, Cuban, South African and U.S. interventions. The country was extensively mined, with an estimated 10 to 20 million landmines and millions of items of UXO laid across its territory.
Major demining operators — HALO Trust, Norwegian People's Aid, MAG, APOPO — and the Angolan national demining commission CNIDAH have cleared hundreds of thousands of mines and UXO over the past two decades, with high-profile patronage from the late Princess Diana and Prince Harry. Hotspots include Cuando-Cubango, Moxico, Bié and Huambo provinces.
Luanda itself, the port of Lobito and the Atlantic coast carry naval and aerial munitions legacies, particularly around former military estates and shipping lanes. The development of Luanda-Bengo Special Economic Zone, the Lobito Corridor railway to the DRC and Zambia, and major offshore oil and gas projects routinely require UXO desk studies and underwater magnetometric surveys aligned with IMAS standards and French Decree 2005-1325.
In-water survey by qualified divers, ultrasonic thickness through paint, 3D photogrammetry, IACS-class survey report for calls at Luanda.
Magnetometer and gradiometer survey, target identification, controlled neutralisation or recovery in coordination with local authorities.
Wet welding, oxy-arc cutting, underwater concreting, sheet-pile and quay repair.
Refloating of sunken vessels, recovery of submerged plant, crane-assisted lifting operations.
On-site recompression chamber deployment, compliant with French Decree 2011-45 and IMCA D guidance.
In the strategic port of Luanda, SEMTEC mobilises divers, observation ROVs and marine magnetometers to secure basins, jetties, approach channels and anchorages where 20th-century munitions still routinely lie on the seabed.
SEMTEC operates in Luanda and across Angola from our French bases at La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var) and Wancourt (Pas-de-Calais), our Belgian office in Bruges and our Ukrainian site in Kyiv. Diving spread and naval logistics are mobilised on demand.
Depending on Angola's history, port seabeds typically conceal sea mines (German EMC, British Mark XVII), submerged aerial bombs (250 kg–500 kg), torpedoes, large-calibre naval shells and depth charges. The preliminary EHT pinpoints the expected typology for Luanda.
Our Class II hyperbaric-class-B divers work to 50 m on air, and we coordinate longer-duration tasks down to 90 m through saturation partners. Observation ROVs extend reconnaissance to 300 m.
A standard UWILD/IWS on a commercial vessel takes 8–24 dive hours depending on hull length, complexity, coating condition and class requirements. SEMTEC issues the class report within 5 days.
Decree 2011-45 governs hyperbaric work in France. Internationally, SEMTEC uses it as a benchmark alongside IMCA D standards and the local regulations applicable in Angola.
The Port of Luanda is an artificial harbour in Luanda, Angola, located in Luanda Bay, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the island of Luanda. The port is connected to Luanda city centre and the district of Ingombota. It opened on 25 January 1576 and is identified by UN/LOCODE AOLAD. The port belongs to the Angolan government and is administered by Porto de Luanda E.P., a public company responsible for licensing terminals for loading and unloading and for the passenger terminal.
The port is an import and export terminal for long-haul cargo and a principal gateway for Angolan imports, including iron and steel, machinery and foodstuffs. In 2023, it handled more than 625,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of containerised cargo. It is the outlet point of the Luanda railway, which carries cargo from Malanje in Malanje Province. Another important outflow connection is the EN-100 highway. The port is a member of the International Association of Ports and Harbors and forms part of Angola’s port complexes with Lobito, Moçamedes, Soyo and Cabinda.
Operations take place in Luanda Bay, an enclosed water area separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the island of Luanda. The port handles containerised cargo and long-haul imports, including iron and steel, machinery and foodstuffs, creating an active cargo interface around loading and unloading terminals. Cargo also moves through the Luanda railway toward Malanje Province and via the EN-100 highway. Incoming shipments require a valid ARC number, also known as CNCA, recorded on the bill of lading, or a pre-shipment certificate or waiver. The port’s stated setting is salt water connected with the Atlantic Ocean.
The Port of Luanda is located in Luanda, Angola, in Luanda Bay. The bay is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the island of Luanda. The port is connected to the city centre of Luanda and the district of Ingombota.
The port belongs to the Angolan government and is administered through Porto de Luanda E.P. This public company administers licences for terminals used for loading and unloading, as well as the passenger terminal.
In 2023, the port handled more than 625,000 TEU of containerised cargo. Imports include iron and steel, machinery and foodstuffs. The port is the outlet point of the Luanda railway, which carries cargo from Malanje, and it also connects through the EN-100 highway.
Reference : Wikipédia — Port of Luanda
For any survey, inspection or subsea intervention in Luanda, contact our teams:
Tel: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@semtec-france.com
Read also: underwater UXO clearance · commercial diving services · offshore subsea works.