Port of Abidjan undergoes US $1.2bn expansion

The Port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast is undergoing a major expansion with the aim of cementing its position as one of West Africa’s leading commercial hubs.

Moreover, a second container terminal is also being constructed to increase the port’s cargo capacity. The goal is to be able to host larger, new generation vessels, regardless of their size.

According to Yacouba Sié CEO of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, when the project is complete the port of Abidjan will be able to accommodate ships carrying 14,000 containers. “Here at the port of Abidjan, we can accommodate vessels with a draft of up to 11,5 metres, that is to say no more than 3.500 containers,” said Yacouba Sié.

The China Harbor Engineering Company is executing the project. Already huge concrete blocks are being built on site that will make up the wharf. The new terminal will spread over land gained on the lagoon.

Deputy Project Manager Zhibin Zhang  says that  due to the size of the project about 50 vessels are being used for the construction work. “We will transport these blocks to the port by boat, and we will align them to build the quay line,” he said.

The project is scheduled for completion in August 2019. More than half of the work is already done. The cost is estimated at cost just over US $1.2bn.

The ports of Abidjan was constructed in 1950 but has been facing the challenge of congestion. expansion work was launched two years ago to rectify the problem.

The port is one of the busiest in Sub Saharan Africa serving landlocked countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Every year more than 20 million tons of goods transit through the port. This is set to grow after work is completed to widen and deepen the Vridi channel leading to the main port.