ABIDJAN PORT AUTHORITY AND MSC INTEND TO REINFORCE THEIR PARTNERSHIP

Activités portuaires Monday 18 September 2023

In paralled to its participation to the 9th edition of Africa CEO Forum which took place in Abidjan on 05 and 6 June 2023, a delegation of MSC SA, led by Mr Soren TOFT, was granted an audience by Mr Hien Yacouba SIE, Managing Director of Abidjan Port Authority PAA on Wednesday 07th June 2023.

The meeting was part of the strengthening of the partnership between PAA and MSC SA, the top world shipping company at a time when this group is also becoming the logistics leader in the African continent with the recent acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics.

During the meeting, the Managing Director of PAA congratulated the group for its significant presence in Abidjan Port and reaffirmed the willingness of his institution to create a dynamic of development: “you are a large shipowner worldwide. Our ports are engaged in a process of development, and this development cannot take place without worldwide shipowners such as you both in terms of operation and investment “He mentioned.

The discussions focused on the investments made in Abidjan Port over the 2012-2013 period in order to modernize the infrastructure and equipment for a boost in competitiveness. The discussions also dealt with projects which aim at developing the Port in the long run. In that regard, Mr. SIE mentioned two major projects. The first one, which is the barging project, aims at reducing road traffic congestion in the port, heavy trucks traffic in urban areas, and thus lessening damage caused by the trucks. The second project on the construction of the railway aims at improving the connectivity of Abidjan Port and reinforcing the service roads, so as to improve the Abidjan port’s performance.

Besides these projects related to the operation and to port logistics, the top manager of PAA expressed his willingness to build eventually a craft dock in Abidjan Port, and in this respect, he requested the experience of MSC.

Satisfied with the major development works carried out in Abidjan Port over the last ten years, M Soren TOFT confirmed the interest of his group to invest in Cote d’Ivoire, and more specifically to give his support to the future Port projects mentioned.

Recalling the investments made by his group on the African continent, Mr TOFT indicated that MSC will soon become a shareholder in more than 100 ports in the world. To this end, the group has been increasing, at best, its logistic equipment and this is reflected in the continuous investment in towage boats. The activities also cover the construction of terminals, the building of cargo ships he hopes to be chartered in Abidjan Port in the future. Hence the desired strengthening of relationship between the two companies, and his determination to establish a win-win partnership in the long run.

As regards the construction of a craft dock, the group stated that it is willing to complete this project and said that it is closely monitoring the development of cruise tourism in Abidjan Port.

“My visit to PAA with this large delegation, confirms the interest of MSC to invest in Côte d’Ivoire. We have taken a giant step with the acquisition of Bollore Africa Logistics. Our group is getting bigger and we have therefore made many investment decisions for the future, precisely on the African Continent. We believe in Africa and we believe in Côte d’Ivoire” he declared at the end of the meeting.