Abidjan Port Investments on Track

At a recent press conference, the Port of Abidjan announced a qualitative leap in its ongoing modernization programme. Specialist quays, technological innovations and new logistics solutions are among the investments planned for the next three years.

20 billion CFA Francs (approximately 30.5 million Euros) have already been invested in the modernization of facilities since 2007. Particular emphasis has been placed on the specialization of quays. In early 2009, mineral/ore facilities were acquired thanks to funding from the Belgian group Sea Invest, the premier global bulk cargo handler.

The newest quay is a dedicated ro-ro terminal.

Other technological innovations were proudly vaunted by the top port officials. Among them, a satellite system for tracking trucks and containers from the port to cargo receivers' warehouses, live information boards to facilitate and improve customer relations, and an exclusive contract with Novacom at the French National Space Research Centre to optimise use of the tracking system.

The Port's Managing Director took this opportunity to describe further improvements to the port's trading partners: the creation of a liquid waste treatment centre, a container de-stuffing centre, the acquisition of dredgers, a barge for bunkering operations, construction of cold storage facilities at the fishing port and finally, the purchase of additional wagons for use by Sitarail.

Another highlight in the ceremony was the presentation of the ISO 9001 (version 2008) Quality Management Certificate to the port's Managing Director by Ibrahim Jerome Keindé, Director of the West African branch of the French standards organisation, AFNOR.

In 2009 the the port of Abidjan recorded total traffic of 24 034 167 metric tons, .e. an increase of 8.8% compared to 2008. The total of goods in transit to inland regions rose to 1 609 945 metric tons, representing an increase of 58.4% for 2009.

16 Feb 2010 - 17:48:11