The next phase of development has officially kicked off at Ivory Coast’s new Container Terminal, a joint venture between Bolloré and APM Terminals.
According to a statement from APM Terminals, contracts with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) were signed earlier this month for the construction of Abidjan’s second container terminal, known as Côte d’Ivoire Terminal (CIT), scheduled to be operational at the end of 2021.
It is estimated that 400 million euros will be invested in the project. “Once completed, the terminal will employ more than 400 people at its go-live, with a similar number of people being employed for its construction,” the statement read.
Located adjacent to the existing Abidjan Terminal, it is expected to add 1.2 million TEUs in annual throughput capacity in its first phase of development.
Once completed, the its 1 100m quay will be able to accommodate vessels up to -18 metre draught, providing scope for accepting larger vessels in the future, according to managing director of CIT, Koen De Backker. The existing Abidjan Terminal can accommodate vessels up to -11.5m draught.”
“With the additional capacity provided by CIT, the terminal and the Port of Abidjan will position itself as a preferred gateway for surrounding landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which currently use less optimal routes due to capacity restrictions at gateway terminals,” he said.
“Shipping lines have started to deploy very large container vessels on the trades to/from West Africa that need deep-water facilities and modern terminals able to handle them with much higher productivity.
“A more efficient and competitive port, with latest generation container handling equipment and deep draught will help reduce the cost of handling cargo, and fuel trade growth and transhipment volumes,” he added.