EU cocoa exporting ban sets sea trade to Ivory Coast back a step

Exports shipments ban at key cocoa-exporting ports of Abidjan and San Pedro on the Ivory Coast by the European Union (EU) has caused shipping lines to cancel shipments. The EU trade ban applies to those companies and includes the Ivory Coast cocoa-exporting ports and people loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and fund his lingering regime. Hapag-Lloyd have cut all exports and imports and will not call at the country's ports “because the EU rule makes clear that ocean carriers are not allowed to pay port dues” said the German carrier. Maersk Line blocked import bookings but continues to ship all-import cocoa exports from the country, reports London's Containerisation International. CMA CGM will retain its scheduled calls to the country's ports. AP Moller-Maersk’s unit Safmarine reserves the right to cancel bookings on request with a special clause in bookings while keeping its customers up-to-date on what it describes as a “fluid” situation. Safmarine will “in principle” re-route cargo to Abidjan via Tangiers/Algeciras on WAF5, WAF6 and WAF7 services “in order to comply with such authorities’ orders, instructions or regulations”. Safmarine’s Mediterranean/Africa shuttle links to call at Abidjan from early March, and its multipurpose service to West Africa calling at both Abidjan and San Pedro ports will continue schedule calls unless the political situation worsens.