Banjul
Port Information
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Port Infrastructure
Until 1973, Banjul was known as Bathurst. It was
founded by the British in 1816 and was governed as part of the British colony
of Sierra Leone before becoming the capital of the British Colony and Protectorate
of The Gambia.
Banjul is a seaport on St. Mary's Island, located
at the mouth of the River Gambia, 26 nautical miles away from the Atlantic
Ocean. The port handles 700,000 tons of cargo annually.
The port of Banjul Banjul Port is the gateway to West Africa with modern facilities,
professional staff, competitive prices and prides itself as one of the safest
and most efficient ports within the African region. Banjul's exports include
peanuts, beeswax, palm kernels and oil. Manufactures include peanut and fish
processing and the production of filigree jewellery and woven fabrics for the
expanding tourist industry.
Banjul Port offers:
Competitive and flexible tariffs
24 hour ports operations (The ports
authority operate throughout all state holidays except for Id El Fitr,
Workers Day (1st May) and Christmas Day. On all other holidays productivity
is reduced to 50%.)
One-stop-shop trade documentation process which minimises delay
Faster customer clearance
Flexible working practices and excellent industrial relations
Computerised port operations systems
A high degree of operational efficiency which guarantees a fast vessel
turnaround
Navigational aids
Provides concessionary rates for re-export trade
Excellent seaport, airport and telecommunications infrastructure and services
Location
The port of Banjul is located at the mouth of the River Gambia.
approx 40 nm SE of Dakar
Draft at Quay
Two L-Shaped piers, each with one outside and
inside berth
Berth 1 (Outside)- Draft 6m / Length - 122m
Berth 2 (Inside) - Draft 6m / Length - 102m
Berth 3 (Outside) - Draft 8m / Length - 123m
Berth 4 (Inside) - Draft 5.5m / Length - 103m
Length of quay
750 Metres. Max length of vessel is 182.9m
at wharves and unlimited at anchorage.
Equipment
There are no portal/gantry cranes available. Discharging/loading
is performed using the ships gear. No floating cranes available.
Cargo handling equipment is available as follows:
6 front loaders/top lifters with SWL ranging from 15-42T
3 mobile cranes between 6-20T
13 forklifts
4 haul majors
4 tractor heads
14 chassis (20')
6 chassis (40')
In addition there are 12 reefer plugs. Oil pipe connections
are available at Banjul wharf for discharging of petroleum products
Air Connections
Banjul is regularly served by a number of international airlines
and is only a few hours flying from the world's major trading
centres.
Warehousing/Storage
38,000 square metres of uncovered storage area
3,000 square metres of covered storage area
Transport
News
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Banjul-Basse River Transport In The Offing
Considering the importance of the River Gambia for river transport, the Department
of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructural Development is currently
working closely with stakeholders - both public and private - to attract
potential investors to the sector to ensure that plans for the introduction
of river transport from Banjul to Basse/Fatoto is realised. [DO 06/12/07]
National Roads Authority Bill Amended
The National Roads and Technical Service Authority (Amendment) bill 2007
has been unanimously amended by the National Assembly on 05/09/07. Introducing
the bill, the Vice President and Secretary of State for Women's Affairs,
Isatou Njie Saidy, informed NAMs that the authority is mandated under the
act to administer, control and maintain all roads in the country. The objective
of the act is to facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of the authority
by limiting it to only roads and related structures. [FORYAA 09/09/07]
Registration of Dock Workers Begins
The Gambia Ports Authority [GPA] has started the controversial registration
of dockworkers in the face of opposition by the Dock and Maritime Workers
Union who accused the GPA management of refusing discussions. The process
started at the end of July, after the GPA had finalised plans to take over
the recruitment, employment and registration of dock workers.
On 24/07/07, the GPA held a 'sensitisation' meeting spearheaded by its operations
manager Ousman Jobarteh. The GPA management noted the following:
· The GPA is not legally obliged to pay severance package to dock
workers but is doing so out of humanitarian grounds.
·
The amounts mentioned for payment of the severance package are only indicative
and shall be finalised upon verification of dock workers' actual age and
length of service.
·
All outstanding liabilities shall be deducted from the final payment.
·
All dock workers above the statutory age of 60 years shall be retired.
·
The same recruitment and wages, bonus and overtime payment system in existence
shall be maintained pending the wider restructuring of stevedore labour which
is expected to be complete within the next two years.
·
Dockworkers' total individual earnings will increase due to the fact that
a lesser number of dockworkers will be sharing their bonus entitlement as
opposed to the old system.
The registration of dockworkers has started and many have already registered
with the GPA. Ousman Jobarteh stated that the aim of the registration is
to enable the GPA to know who are actually dockworkers in turn aiding payment
of compensation. However Landing Sanyang, Secretary General of The Gambia
Dock and Maritime Workers Union, said his Union will not accept the redundancy
and retirement plan. Sanyang said the registration is not in line with the
requirements of the Labour Act and violates their right as a Union. He said
out of a total membership of over four hundred registered dockworkers in
his Union, less than forty people registered with the GPA. [FOROYAA 30/07/07]
Strike Deferred At Banjul Seaport
Members of the Gambia Dock Workers Union have deferred strike action after
mediation with the management of the Gambia Ports Authority [GPA]. According
to the secretary general of the union, Landing Sanyang new GPA employment
structures were to come into effect on 01/08/07 whereby the NPA wished
to terminate union contracts and hire employees directly. A letter had
stated that severance packages had been worked out and that payments will
be made to all dock workers at the end of the notice.
The notice provoked dock
workers to write an open letter to the GPA management, urging them to cancel
the move. According to Sanyang the dock workers were
not GPA employees thus their services could not be terminated by the ports.
The Union has given the GPA a 28 day notice to rescind, failing which they
will embark on a strike. [OTAL Local Agency & FORYAA 06/07/07]
Gambian Government
Reduces Tariff By 55%
The Gambian Government have reduced tariffs on the cost of goods and services
by the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). A statement noted the move is in line
with the government’s national strategy for poverty alleviation and
to enhance the conduct of trade and transport making Gambia more competitive
in the marine transport sector. With immediate effect tariffs will be reduced
on landing, handling and passenger charges, as well as navigation fees,
parking and lighting fees.
The statement also announced a reduction on handling charges on major consumer
goods such as rice, sugar, cement, flour, tomato paste, cooking oil and all
other basic commodities. By the same token, storage charges on all items
have also been reduced by 55%. "It is expected that this reduction will
not only add value to the operations of GPA, but will also translate into
cheaper and more affordable goods and services to the Gambian people and
beyond," added the release. [TP 18/07/07]
Dockers Warned
A press release from the Office of the President has warned against any interference
in the Gambia Ports Authority's recruitment of dockers or in the provisions
of other services at the Port. The full text of the report, which identifies
GPA as the mandated authority to provide port and other related services
is reproduced below:
Press Release
The public is hereby informed that The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) is a
public institution mandated by Law to provide port and other related services
to The Gambia population and the sub-region.
Therefore, there will be no compromise in the implementation of the functions
and responsibilities of GPA because it has an obligation to provide these
services in the most efficient, effective and sustainable manner. In doing
so, GPA has the right to employ the required employees for the due execution
of its functions as and when necessary including dockworkers.
Please note that nobody is obliged to work for GPA as a dockworker but nobody
can also prevent the GPA and The Gambia Government from implementing the
Port and Labour Acts.
Those who do not wish to be employed as dockworkers are free to seek employment
elsewhere but they should not in any way try to interfere with the process
of recruitment of dockworkers by GPA or in the conduct of stevedoring services
at the Port. Doing so would be against the law and anyone found wanting will
be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Your cooperation is therefore solicited to ensure that essential services
are rendered in the most efficient and sustainable manner for the benefit
of the entire nation and beyond.
Scanner Out Of Action
All scanning at the port of Banjul has been suspended until further notice
as the scanner is out of order. [OTAL Local Agent 12/07/07]
Customs and Excise Merged Into New Gambia Revenue Authority
The Gambian government is implementing measures to improve tax administration
and thereby boost revenues through efficiency gains. The establishment
of the Gambia Revenue Authority [GRA] has merged the previous Central Revenue
and Customs and Excise departments under one management structure and is
designed to achieve synergies in the government’s revenue collection
efforts. [OTAL Local Agent 12/07/07]
Dockworkers' Demands Met
The Secretary General of The Gambia Dock and Marine Workers' Union, Landing
Sanyang has called off the unions sit down strike after their main demands
were met. Namely to fill gangs by promoting dockworkers to unfilled positions.
The Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment instructed
that all the vacant positions were to be immediately filled and added
that dockworkers
who do not belong to gangs would be registered. Concerns over payment
of bonus’s were also tackled. Sanyang indicated that a collective
bargaining committee had been formed comprising Dock Workers, representatives
for
Gambia Ports Authority and the Commissioner of Labour and Representatives
for the Port Labour Board. [FORAYAA 29/04/07]
Dockers Threaten Sit Down Strike The Gambia Dock and Marine Workers Union headed by Landing Sanyang gave an
ultimatum to go on a sit down strike to express their dissatisfaction
with effect from 15 April 2007 if their demands are not met. Union leaders
have complained that their members are facing extinction due to dwindling
gang size, lack of promotion and changing of payment mechanism. [Source:
Foroyaa 14/04/07]
Abdou Colley Gambia's New Trade Minister
The President of Gambia Yahya Jammeh, under sections 71[1] and 71[3] of the
Constitution has appointed Mr. Abdou Colley as Secretary of State for Trade,
Industry and Employment with effect from 24th February 2007. Until his
appointment Colley, 37 was at the UNDP Banjul office as an Economic analyst.
He replaced Susan Waffa Ogoo who was recently sacked. [GE 01/03/07]
Gambia Ports Authority [GPA] Boards Inaugurated
Five Parastatal Boards have been inaugurated including the Gambia Ports Authority.
The four other public enterprises are: Gambia Civil Aviation, Gambia Public
Transport Cooperation, Management Service Agency and Gambian International
Airlines. [DO 02/03/07]
FCO In Gambia To Meet Leaders Of Industry
Mr Jonathan Brenton, Deputy Head of the UK FCO African Department was in
Banjul for three days for meetings with business community leaders from
February 25th 2007.
Cross Border Road Repairs Contract Signed - 13/12/06
A contract for the upgrading and reconstruction of five stretches of roads
funded at the tune of 40 million Euros by the European Commission has been
signed between Ballast Nedam Africa BV and the Government of The Gambia.
The signing of the contract took place on 29/12/06 at the Department of
State for Finance and Economic Affairs in Banjul.
The roads to be reconstructed
include Barra-Amdalaye, Trans-Gambia Highway, Mandinaba-Seleti, Soma-Basse,
and Basse-Sabi-Wellingara.
"This amount is part of the Forty Four Million Euro EC Grant
to The Gambia to support the implementation of our National Transport
Plan under the 9th EDF," said the Secretary of State for Finance
and Economic Affairs, Musa Bala-Gaye. "Immediately following the
signing phase, we expect the contractor to start mobilizing, and according
to the roadmap we have established, actual works on the roads are scheduled
to commence in April 2007," Hon. Bala-Gaye said. [GJ 03/01/07]
Scanner Out Of Action
Please note that the port scanner is not working and no scanning fees are being
charged. [OTAL 13/12/06]
Jammeh Inspects Road Construction Works
President Jammeh has inspected progress on road constructions at Churchill's
Town, Buffer Zone, New Yundum, Mandina, and Brikama. The inspection came
barely, two months after he took charge of the Department of State for Works,
Construction and Infrastructural Development. [DO 28/11/06]
JammehRe-Elected - 25/09/06
President Yahya Jammeh, APRC candidate for September 22nd Presidential
elections, has been re-elected as President of The Gambia, after
obtaining 264,404 votes / 67.33% of the overall votes. [DO 25/09/06]
Transport Union Set for Restructuring - 06/10/06
Abdoulai Sosseh, First Vice President of Gambia National Transport
Agricultural Food and Industrial Workers Union [GNTAFIWU], has affirmed
they are preparing to reorganise and restructure the union to address
the needs of its members. Mr Sosseh observed that the union has not
been functioning as it should; saying its authority and role has
been usurped by the Gambia National Transport Control Association
[GNTCA], ‘leaving its parent body toothless’. [DO 06/10/06]
Jammeh Opens New Ferry Terminal - 26/07/06
As part of the 12th anniversary commemoration, President Yahya Jammeh
has opened the newly rehabilitated 10 million Dalasis Banjul Ferry
Terminal and Naval Yard in Half Die, Banjul. [25/07/06]
Shipping Registration Bill Amended - 11/06/06
The Gambian National Assembly unanimously amended the Registration
of Shipping Amendment Act 2006. Shiekh Tijan Hydara, the Attorney-General
and Secretary of State for Justice, who tabled the bill on behalf
of the Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure,
said that the main objective of the bill is to effect amendments
to the principal law dealing with the registration of ships under
the Gambian flag.
Customs & Excise Revenues Increase - 11/06/06
Customs & Excise Revenues have increased yet again. In 2005, revenues
reported are GMD 1.406
billion up from GMD 1.381 billion in 2004, as against only GMD 777
million in 2003. A complete sea-change in attitude is responsible,
whereby staff are motivated by better salaries and promotions. This
is considered to be a complete success by Government.
AU Summit - 11/06/06
The 7th AU summit is to be held in Banjul at the end of June. For full
details please view http://www.aubjl2006.gm/summit.htm
Funds Secured for Sukuta Road Construction Works
13/05/06
Mr Ebrima Cham, the Director-General of Gamworks, has disclosed that
funds have been secured for
the construction of Sukuta road and his agency hopes to engage the
Department of State for Finance
and Economic Affairs and GIPFZA in the modalities for implementation.
A reQuestionst for co-financing
has been submitted to the Islamic Development Bank for an additional
amount of US$ 4.6 million with a
total project cost of US$ 7.2 million. [DO 12/05/06]
New Ferries Arrive
At the Banjul Port - 05/05/06
Two new ferries arrived at the Banjul Port on 02/05/06 which will be
named "Soma" and "Farafenni".
These are for the Bamba Tenda and Yilli Tenda ferry crossing points,
up country. [TGJ04/05/06]
Gambia Elected WAIPA Executive Member - 05/04/06
The Gambia was recently elected to the 15 member Executive Committee
of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies [WAIPA]
at the association’s annual convention held in Geneva, Switzerland.
[Other elected countries are Sweden, China, South Africa, Egypt,
Japan, Hungary, Mexico, France, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Saint Lucia,
Belgium, Latvia and French Polynesia]. The executive committee
will draw up and oversee the implementation of programmes and strategies
aimed at increasing global foreign direct investment [FDI].
Gambia to Phase Out Leaded Gasoline - 10/03/06
Mr Adama B Cham, the registrar of hazardous chemicals and pesticides
at the National Environment Agency [NEA], has said The Gambia, like
other West African states, is in the process of switching to unleaded
gasoline fuel. According to Mr Cham, the National Environment Agency
[NEA] is in close collaboration with the Energy Department, the United
Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] and all other stakeholders who
are all working towards the total elimination of leaded gasoline
by the end of this July. [DO 10/03/06]
Government Raise Petrol Prices & Custom Duties
- 10-06-06
The Gambian Government has announced an increase of D3 per litre on
the pump prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene. A litre of petrol
will now be D30, instead of D27; diesel D28, instead of D25; and
kerosene D12, instead of D9. Mousa Bala Gaye, the Secretary of State
for Finance and Economic Affairs, announced these increases while
delivering the 2006 Budget Speech at the National Assembly.
All Customs tariff rates of 18%, he said, are increased to 20% to
conform to ECOWAS Common External Tariff [CET] rates of 5%, 10% and
20%, which will be introduced in January 2006. [Daily Observer 19/12/05]
Gambia, Senegal Reinforce Cooperation Pact -
16/01/06
Gambia and Senegal have, at the end of the Third Meeting of the Joint
Consultative Committee on Senegalo-Gambian Cooperation, consolidated
their cooperation pact covering a wide range of issues, such as the
Road Transport Agreement, defence and security, economic and trade
affairs, and judicial matters.
Port Security & ISPS
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The implementation of the ISPS code came into effect on the
1st July 2004, a global maritime security standard introduced by the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) for member nations.
Below are the details of the Gambia ports plans for 2004:
Security Plans have been drawn up
A port facility officer has been appointed
A private security company - Wackenhut - has been appointed to handle the port
security and implement any necessary changes
Port access is monitored on a 24hr basis
ID cards have been issued for all port users
Security communication has been improved with hand held units for all security
staff
There are plans to raise the height of the perimeter fence
Flood lights are available
CCTV is being put in place
The port has applied for an ISPS certification
