The $490 million port at Tibar Bay near the capital Dili is hoped to help boost international trade and reduce barriers for Timor-Leste, providing a maritime gateway to the Asia-Pacific market.  

"It was necessary for Timor-Leste to be connected to the main shipping lines in Asia," French transport giant Bollore's director of ports Olivier de Noray said in a statement.

The port will be able to receive ships of more than 8,000 containers, he said, and vessels sailing from Singapore through the Indonesian archipelago to Australia will be able to call there.

The new platform, located 12 kilometres from the capital Dili, received an investment of US$490 million and took four years to build.

"We have been present in the country for many years and are proud of this new contribution to the local economy. Together, we will develop the activities of Tibar Bay Port with the ambition of positioning it as a reference infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region," said Philippe Labonne, CEO of Bolloré Ports.