THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PAA VISITS THE MODERNIZATION SITES OF THE ABIDJAN PORT

Visite de travail Monday 27 March 2023

The members of the Board of Directors of the Abidjan Port Authority headed by the Chairman (PCA) Mr. Abdou TOURÉ, visited the development projects of the Abidjan Port on Tuesday 4 October 2022, to get an idea of the progress of the infrastructure projects that were launched in 2012.

The delegation first went to Abidjan Terminal (TC1) where it was received by the General Manager, Mrs. Asta Rosa CISSÉ. She took the opportunity to present the infrastructure she manages, stressing that the second container terminal (TC2), almost completed, will complement the first to further boost the competitiveness of the Abidjan Port. The delegation then visited the TC2 construction site.

On this other site, Mr. Koen DE BACKKER, General Manager of Côte d'Ivoire Terminal (CIT), the concessionary company, presented the progress of work on this terminal, which is scheduled for delivery in November. He took the opportunity to announce the docking of a test ship in a week. At the end of this test, commercial operations should begin on the new terminal, pending the official inauguration ceremony.

With a capacity of 1.5 million TEUs (containers), TC2 offers the possibility for the Abidjan Port to almost double its capacity to receive and handles containers to 2.5 million TEU. This modern terminal, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, will position Abidjan as a key Hub Port on the Atlantic coast of Africa. As soon as it is commissioned, it will be labeled a "Green Terminal" thanks to its optimal use of electrical energy.

In addition to the container terminals, the members of the PAA Board of Directors discovered the Ro-Ro terminal, which has been in operation since 2018. Built on 8.5 hectares, it is designed to receive 70,000 vehicles annually. According to Mr. Joël BROUX, General Manager of TERRA (concessionary), this terminal handles 40,000 vehicles with an average of 160 ship calls per year, since it has become operational. 

Afterwards, the delegation visited the mole of the Fishing Terminal in operation since 2015, before visiting the construction site of the Grain Terminal. This other major infrastructure, on which work is underway, will eventually meet international standards in terms of receiving conventional and bulk vessels carrying 40,000 to 50,000 tons of goods. With a draught of 13.5 m, the future grain terminal will occupy an area of 9.5 hectares with 700 meters of quay. It will position the Abidjan Port in a key role in food security for both Côte d'Ivoire and the countries of the West African hinterland. 

The delegation also visited the customs scanner office where Colonel Seydou KONE, in charge of the site, said that this equipment allows his services to effectively fight against fraud on goods declared in containers. With a processing rate of 50 containers per hour, this scanner also contributes to strengthening the efficiency of administrative procedures.

At the end of the visit, the PCA of the Abidjan Port Authority expressed his satisfaction with the scope and quality of the work done by the Managing Director, Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ and his staff and declared: “( I am quite satisfied) . This is the first time I visit the Abidjan Port since I have taken office on the Board of Directors in 2021. I would like to congratulate the Managing Director of the Abidjan Port Authority for all these projects which are perfectly in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, HEM. Alassane OUATTARA, to make Côte d'Ivoire a model of development and economic growth in Africa.”

Alongside the PCA of the Abidjan Port Authority, one could note the presence of Mr. Djoman CONÉ, Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Yaya KÉHO, Deputy Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Budget and State Portfolio, Mr. Jacques ESSOH, Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Aristide YAO, Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Equipment and Road Maintenance, and Dr. Parfait KOUASSI, 1st Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all members of the said Board of Directors.

It should also be noted that some members of the Abidjan Port Community (CPA) also took part in this visit. They are Mr. Issouf SIDIBÉ, Director General of the Ivorian Shippers' Office (OIC), Mr. Tahirou DIARRASSOUBA, Secretary General of the CPA, Mr. Valassiné DIARRASSOUBA, President of the Côte d’Ivoire Maritime Federation (FEDERMAR), Commissioner DOSSO, President of the Côte d’Ivoire Union of Consignees and Ship owners (UCACI), Mr. Léonard BONI, Secretary General of the Côte d’Ivoire National Freight Forwarders' Union (SYNTRANS-CI), the representatives of the Burkinabe Shippers' Council (CBC), Mr. Gustave ZABRÉ and the Nigerian Council of Public Transport Users (CNUT), Mr. ALBADÉ Alassane.