Conakry
Port Information
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Port Infrastructure
Situated on the South Coast of Guinea, Conakry is
the country's principle port and can cater for both wet and dry cargoes. Principal
exports include agricultural products, cotton, bauxite and iron ore. Imports
include manufactured goods and salt.
There is also a second harbour for fishing vessels.
Location
Conakry port is located on the South Coast of Guinea
Transport
News
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New Customs Procedure Guinea - 24/01/08
We have received an official letter from the national Customs office
in Conakry. Please click
here to view.
Dated 21/01/08 it relates to the
completion of manifests. With immediate effect:
There will be no acceptance of vague terms such as ‘general goods’ or ‘miscellaneous
goods’ as a description of cargo type. All manifests and bills
of lading should clearly mention the type and weight of the goods.
For transit cargo the manifest and bill of lading must clearly be labelled ‘cargo
in transit’
The full postal address of the final receiver and the shipper must
appear on all manifests and bills of lading.
The captain of the vessel must provide a paper manifest on arrival
to the ‘Brigade Maritime’ for clearance and an additional
copy must be given to the ‘Cellule de Gestion des Manifestes’ at
least 48hrs after the arrival of the vessel in order to cross check
all electronic databases.
For export cargo: Within 48hrs after the departure of the vessel, a
copy of the manifest must be given to the ‘Brigade Maritime’ in
order to cross check the loading list.
Guinea Reaffirms To Strengthen Bilateral Relations With
Angola
The Guinean government wants to strengthen bilateral relations with
Angola, particularly in the economic sector. Guinean President Lansana
Conte met with Angolan ambassador to Guinea, Brito Sozinho, saying
that the two countries should work towards the development and deepening
of mutual relationship in various domains. [Xinhua 25/08/07]
Government Withdraws Bauxite Deals Centering
On Rail & Port
Infrastructure
The Guinea Government is withdrawing agreements made with American
oil company Hyperdynamics and Compagnie de Bauxite de Kindia [CBK],
a local bauxite company run by Russian aluminium giant RUSAL as part
of a planned review of minerals contracts. They were the first foreign
companies in Guinea to be affected by a review of all mining and minerals
contracts announced by the new government, which was appointed last
month to end a violent general strike. A source stated the objections
to the deal with CBK centered on the terms of the company's exploitation
of the Kindia bauxite deposits and its use of the railway and port
infrastructure related to the project. The government felt the Guinean
state was not benefiting enough from these aspects of the Kindia contract.
[Reuters 16/04/07]
Guinean Government Propose Third Harbour
Due to the increasing handling volume in the port of Conakry an extension
of the handling facilities has become necessary. The first phase
embraces the extension of the existing container terminal by constructing
a 225m long quay as heavy load wall and the development of a container
storage area (approx. 9.5 ha).
All necessary infrastructure measures such as electricity and water
supply, rain water drainage, slope protection and road construction
are included. Beside the required port structures, also the improvement
of safety installations (e.g. fire fighting facilities, fighting of
oil mishaps, handling of dangerous goods etc.) is planned.
For this reason a feasibility study has been elaborated, which includes
beside the assessment of present cargo handling capacity in the port
and proposals for improvements, also analyses of sedimentation in the
harbour basin and the approach channel, investigation of traffic flows
in the port and town area, an expert opinion on environmental compatibility
and the operational and socio-economic investigations. In a second
phase it is intended to develop tidelands (approx. 30 ha) in the eastern
harbour area as storage zone and to construct an approx. 250m long
quay for unit load vessels.
Containers To Be Inspected By New Commission
A new procedure means that all export containers will be opened to
check there is no prohibited merchandise inside. A new commission
set up by customs, police and the harbour master’s office will
enforce the new system. Please view our website for all official
notices concerning this http://www.otal.com/images/OTAL%20Services/ARRETE.pdf
[OTAL Agent 14/05/07]
Conakry Port Dredging
Conakry port will undergo dredging from May-June 2007. Dredging will
cover both the docks and the channel. Please find below the official
notification. [Local OTAL Agent 26/04/07]
Kamsar Port Development
BHP Billiton [www.bhpbilliton.com] has acquired 33.3% interest in Global
Alumina’s Sangaredi Refinery Project in Guinea, for US$140 million.
The proposed refinery site is approximately 100km inland from Kamsar
[450km from Conakry] and has the benefit of access to existing rail
infrastructure linking it to the Port of Kamsar, where dedicated facilities
are already under construction. The company has already commenced work
on a new jetty and terminal facility at Kamsar port, the construction
of a bridge, and access reinforcement in order to direct vessels to
Kamsar instead of the port of Conakry. [Local Agent 14/05/07]
Containers To Be Inspected By New Commission - 15/05/07
A new procedure means that all export containers will be opened to
check there is no prohibited merchandise inside. A new commission
set up by customs, police and the harbour master’s office
will enforce the new system. For full background material on this
please click here
Conakry Port To Be Dredged Conakry port will undergo dredging from May-June 2007. This operation
will be performed by Dredging International of Belgium. Technicians
are expected to undertake a port survey next week. Dredging will
cover both the docks and the channel. Please
click here for official
notification regarding dredging works at the port of Conakry during
April to July 2007. [Local OTAL Agent 16/04/07]
Conakry Port To Be Dredged
Conakry port will undergo dredging from May-June 2007. This operation
will be performed by Dredging International of Belgium. Technicians
are expected to undertake a port survey next week. Dredging will
cover both the docks and the channel. [Local OTAL Agent 16/04/07]
Return of Peace
Since the crisis that engulfed Guinea last month and its subsequent
resolution to the efficacy of people power, it is a clear signal
to the leaders, especially in Africa, who mismanage the affairs of
their countries, that governance without accountability would ultimately
erode their legitimacy.
Guineans gave credence to that stance, first in January 2007 when
the workers embarked on a warning strike to put pressure on their President,
Lansana Conte, to appoint a prime minister who would steer the nation
away from the path of economic gloom. But when Conte appointed Eugene
Camara, his ally and cabinet member, the people resumed their protests
in February. What followed was a clash between the armed forces and
the protesters producing over 100 deaths, more than 1000 wounded persons
and large-scale destruction of social infrastructure in Conakry and
elsewhere.
With the intervention of the international community, notably African
states, relative sanity has since been restored in Guinea. Equally
remarkable is the creativity that went into the negotiation between
General Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria, Conte, Camara, the Central Labour
Union [CLU], employers associations, civil society, political parties,
the United Nations [UN], the European Union [EU] and other stakeholders.
Given the precarious situation in that country, the decision to appoint
a PM from a list of five candidates presented by the CLU and civil
society was democratic enough. Now, with the emergence of the former
Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Mr Lansana Kouyate, from that arrangement,
Guinea has taken a vital step towards participatory democracy.
And the quest for the enthronement of democratic ideals and institutions
is becoming more feasible in the nation that has been under Conte's
rulership since he seized power in 1984. As proof, in the heat of last
month's violence, the Parliament which had never acted against Conte
suddenly found its voice and unanimously voted out the state of emergency
that had been declared by the president.
That should serve as a warning to Conte to respect the wishes of his
citizens and allow the process of genuine democratisation to mature.
He should give the new head of government the autonomy he needs to
turn the economy around. With a population of 10 million people and
a land endowed with half of the earth's bauxite, the ex- ECOWAS boss
could rescue his country's economy from the brink and give hope to
his traumatised compatriots. [TD 07/03/07]
Guinea Under Curfew - 03/03/07
Unions in Guinea resumed a general strike on 12/02/07 to protest against
the President’s choice of a close ally, Eugene Camara, as prime
minister. Guinea's President Lansana Conte has declared a "state
of siege" and told the army to restore public order, after days
of violent protests. For the second time in a month, markets, shops,
schools, banks and administration offices are closed in Conakry and
other towns around the country. The port is also closed and airlines
have suspended services to Guinea.
A curfew originally from 2000 hrs to
1600 hrs was reduced on 18/02/07 to 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. In a television
address on 12/02/07, President
Conte said martial law would continue until February 23rd. Conte has
told the military to “take all necessary measures” to restore
order. Sporadic gunfire and trucks full of soldiers patrol the capital,
Conakry. The town has been empty like a ghost town but generally the
situation is much calmer and some Expats have returned to their offices
for the first time.
Guinea Curfew Reduced/ Port Re-Opens - 19/02/07
A curfew originally from 2000 hrs to 1600 hrs has been reduced on 18/02/07
to 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. In a television address on 12/02/07, President
Conte said martial law would continue until February 23rd. Conte
has told the military to “take all necessary measures” to
restore order. Sporadic gunfire and trucks full of soldiers patrol
the capital, Conakry. The town has been empty like a ghost town but
generally the situation is much calmer and some Expats have returned
to their offices for the first time.
Now that the curfew has been improved,
it is hoped this will be sufficient to encourage the unions to
return to the negotiating table. EU and
Ecowas diplomats are involved in official and unofficial talks. Local
observers are hoping there might be a solution soon, perhaps by the
end of this week. This would enable the labour force to return to
work. Only then will shipping agencies, forwarders and trucking companies
be able to start to return to work. The port is open now but there
is heavy congestion and a backlog of containers.
Guinea Curfew / Port Closed - 14/02/07
Guinea's President Lansana Conte has declared a "state of siege" and
told the army to restore public order, after days of violent protests.
A 20hr curfew is now in place, lifted only between 4pm and 8pm. Unions
in Guinea resumed a general strike on 12/02/07 to protest against the
President's choice of a close ally, Eugene Camara, as prime minister.
Gunfire has been heard near army barracks in the capital, Conakry,
and soldiers are preventing people from reaching the city centre. For
the second time in a month, markets, shops, schools, banks and administration
offices were closed in the capital Conakry and other towns around the
country. The port is closed and airlines have suspended services to
Guinea.
Guinea Suspends All Agricultural, Forest & Petroleum
Exports
Please note that the Republic of Guinea have issued a directive [Ref:
A/032/MAEFF/MPA/MCIPME/SGG] dated 29/01/07 stating that all agricultural,
forest & petroleum exports from Guinea are to cease from now till
the end of December 2007.
This includes agricultural raw materials such as cereals, tubers, forest
products such as logs and timber, cattle products such as meat & horns,
fish products and petroleum products.
Guinea Strike Ends - 31/0/07
Guinean unions have called off the general strike as President Lansana
Conte agreed to cede some powers to a prime minister who would head
the government. No-one has yet been named for the position. The deal
reached also provided for a lowering of fuel and rice prices. A backlog
of containers can now be cleared from the port of Conakry.
National Strike In Conakry - 22/01/07
· The crippling national strike is now in its 13th day. Negotiations
between the unions and the President appear deadlocked.
· President Lansana Conte is calling on the population and the army to
remain united behind him after days of violent protests against
his rule. Mr Conte has
faced calls to step down from unions* over his handling
of the economy and because of his poor health [a reclusive in his 70s].
Conte seized power in Guinea in a 1984 coup and the strike poses the
toughest challenge yet to his 23-year rule, threatening to throw the
former French colony into turmoil. There is no obvious successor and
a fractious military. [* the two largest labour unions backed by 14
opposition parties]
·
The ruling party called the protests an attempt to seize power. "These
are not union demands but political demands. It is an attempted civilian
coup d'etat," said Sekou Konate, secretary-general of Conte's
Party of Unity and Progress (PUP).
·
President Lansana Conte dismissed his right-hand man. Conte replaced
Fode Bangoura, minister in charge of presidential affairs and a powerful
member of his ethnic Sousou clique, with Planning Minister Eugene Camara,
seen as a moderate member of his government & weak by many.
· West African heads of state voted at a meeting of the regional body
ECOWAS on Friday to send a high-level commission to Guinea to urge
negotiations between the unions and the government. Senegalese
President Abdoulaye Wade and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo both volunteered to
head the delegation.
· Unrest is widespread. Several people have been killed by security forces
firing on protesters. Hundreds of people are said to have been
arrested since the strike began.
· Food prices are said to have risen sharply in Conakry, with shortages
of staple foods including rice and bread.
·
Guinea is the world's biggest exporter of bauxite. The strike has halted
trains carrying bauxite for export to the port of Conakry & Kamsar.
Port
Operations
· Vessels are calling normally in Conakry. The port is functioning however
consignees have not been able to pick up their containers for 2 weeks.
Eventually we may experience problems with congestion at the quay if
these import containers are not collected and vessels will be unable
to discharge - we will keep you posted. Exports are very reduced.
· For the time being calls are continuing without significant delays.
· For more information on the strike, you can find them on following
web site: www.boubah.com or www.aminata.com
Kuwaiti Fund Supports Guinea-Senegal
Road Project- 22/01/07
The Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Development has granted Guinea US$17 million-loan
for the construction of a 385-km road linking Labé in Guinea
to Madina Gounass in Senegal, according to official sources. The
loan agreement was signed 20/01/07 by the Guinean Finance Minister
Mady Kaba Camara, and the Fund`s deputy Manager Ahmad Al Omar. The
road project seeks to improve transportation and the exchange of
goods and services between the two countries. [APA 22/01/07]
