Nouakchott, or place of winds, is the capital city of
Mauritania and one of the newest capitals in the world. It is located
near the West African Atlantic coast and was developed as the capital
of Mauritania after it gained independence in 1960. In the past Mauritania
lay on one of the most lucrative trade routes in West Africa. It came
under control of the Almoravid dynasty of Morocco, and later of the
Arabs. Ultimately, France took control of Mauritania and maintained
it till Mauritania's independence in 1960. Nouakchott was a major refugee
center during the Saharan droughts of the 1970s, and its rapid growth
during that period (together with a sharp decline in the number of
Mauritania's nomads) was attributed to migration and urbanisation in
response to the droughts. The cities growth focuses on a square, the
Place de l'Indépendence, and includes an airport and industrial
area. It is centrally located on the main north-south highway, connecting
the more populated agricultural south with the sparsely populated but
mineral-rich north.
Mauritania had always had to rely on neighbouring ports,
for it only had the fishing harbour of Nouadhibou, located in the extreme
North-West, without any useful links to the Southern, Central and eastern
parts of the country. Several projects to build a port were consequently
contemplated but due to the peculiar configuration of the coast line
which includes a sandy coast, lack of natural safe havens and moving
sand banks it did not justify building a traditional harbour with quays.
Plans
were consequently drawn up at the beginning of 1963 to build a port
called Port Wharf, including the construction of industrial
and trade buildings. This became operational in 1966. This wharf,
located 350km south of Nouadhibou and 450km north of Dakar was designed
to
accommodate traffic of up to 50,000 tonnes.
The ports capacity was successfully increased in stages to 200,000
tonnes by improving available equipment and organic growth. This
was mainly due to cope with the traffic of copper ore from Akjoujt
(120 miles (195 km) northeast).
In 1977 the Wharf was lengthened to provide 3 extra berths
for ships of average tonnage raising its capacity to 320,000 tonnes.
However, the rapid growth of traffic, coupled with projects developing
new industries and the increase in inland trade to land locked countries
led to the Mauritanian government to negotiate with the Peoples Republic
of China in order to build a deep sea harbour at Nouakchott. These
negotiations led to the signature in October 1974 of an economic co-operation
agreement in order to build such a port. Preliminary work commenced
in 1978 with the foundation stone being laid on 10th April 1979. The
inauguration of the Nouakchott deep-sea harbour, christened the 'Port
of Friendship' took place on 17th September 1986.
The Autonomous Port of Nouakchott, called PANPA for short,
took over the management of the port and as such the port became operational
in 1987 attracting trade between the two Capes (White and Green). Stevedoring
activities were privatised in 1990 offering competitive storage facilities
and warehousing tariffs. While there has been a steady increase in
the port's activity, the level of traffic remains below that of the
more northern port of Nouadhibou. PANPA's capacity is now estimated
to be 1.5 million tonnes per annum and processes more than 90% of Mauritania's
imports.
Nouakchott port is an import port representing approximately
96.4 % of all annual traffic. Imported goods include wheat, cement,
clinker,
flour, sugar, semolina, milk and general equipment. Exports include
plaster from Samia, Mauritania's main producer, animal skins and
fish.
Cross border relations are enhanced with Mali with the
creation of the Entrepôts Maliens en Mauritanie (EMAMAU) which
provides a number of warehouses exclusively for Malian cargo. Nouakchott
is located
on a major highway with a 1,100 kms bitumen road (also known
as the 'Road of Hope') connecting Nouakchott with Nema for goods
in destined
for Nioro or Nara in the Malian Sahel. This road also crosses
the towns
of Boutilimit and Kiffa.
Road conditions in Mauritania are generally
poor, particularly in the interior, and overland travel is difficult.
The country's size
and harsh climate make road maintenance and repair especially problematic.
Vehicles may occasionally be forced off the roads due to drifting
sand and dunes. Roaming animals and bush taxis frequently cause accidents.
Mauritania possesses only about 2,070 km (1,286 miles)
of surfaced roads, 710 km (441 miles) of unsurfaced roads and 5,140
km (3,194 miles) of unimproved tracks. There are four major roads,
each of which links important cities in Mauritania: Nouakchott and
Rosso; Nouakchott and Akjoujt; Aleg Boghe and Kaedi; and Nouakchott
and Nema (the Road of Hope).
Nouakchott port infrastructure
Port Facilities
Wharf Quai
The port of Nouakchott consists of two quays, one for small vessels
(Wharf Quay) with draft less than 5m This quai lies 11 km southwest
of the city of Nouakchott. Latitude 18 degrees 02' 08" North,
Longitude 16 degrees 01' 43" West. The lighterage quay consists
of a working platform of 86 by 21.17 meters overall and is linked by
a gangway of 246.5 by 7meters. It also features an extension quay of
55 meters in length with berthing available on both sides.
Port of Friendship Quai
A second quay for larger vessels has a max draft of 10.3m. Known as
the 'Port of Friendship Quay' it stretches 585m and split into four
berths, three of which are used for cargo handling and the fourth for
servicing vessels and tug boats. This quay is located 4km south of
the Quai Wharf and 15km southwest of the city of Nouakchott.
The Port of Friendship uses an integrated AS400 computer system developed
in co-operation with the Office d'Exploitation des Ports Marocains
(ODEP). This offers management transparency and enhances service quality
offered to customers.
Draft at Harbour
Mouth
11m from channel to port
Number of Deepwater Quays
Port of Friendship: 1
Currents
There is almost a permanent north-south current with an average
strength of 0.5 knots
Tides
High water average level: 1.63m Low water average level: 0.25m
Tidal range: 1.44m
Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located at the extreme southwestern point
of the protective jetty in order to signal the entrance of the
basin during the night.
Length of Quay
Port of Friendship: 585m
Pilots
Inwards/Outwards between 0700 and 2200 (2400
possible if a pilot is available). It is possible to obtain
clearence from the pilot and port authority to depart the port
ouside of these hours.
Berths
5 cargo berths up to 180 meters long
Cranes
2 cranes with 10 tonne capacity
Wharf Quai:
3 fixed jib-cranes - 8T, 15T and 30T
Air Connections
Nouakchott has an international airport on
the city outskirts in the Ksar district, only 3km from the
center Position 18º06´00"N, 015º57´00"W
Open Areas
- Wharf Quai: Usable surface of 21,244 m2 with a storage
limit of 5 tonnes per m2
-
Port of Friendship: Tarmac surface
of 45,682
m2 and a container park of 22,000m2
Warehousing/Storage
- Wharf Quai: Usable surface of 1.200 m2, with a storage
limit of 3 tonnes per m2
-
Port of Friendship: Overall surface
of 7,908m2 with a storage limit of 3 tonnes per m2
Transport
News
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China Exim Bank To Finance US$686 Million Railway - 24/01/08
The China Exim Bank has agreed to provide US$686 million for the construction
of a 430km railway line connecting Mauritania's third city, Kaedi
in the south to the capital Nouakchott. An agreement was signed on
22/01/08 by the Mauritanian Transport Minister Mohameden Ould Ahmed
and Dai Chun Li, China Exim Bank general manager. The funds will
cover 70% of the total cost of the new railroad with the remainder
to be financed by Mauritania's Phosphate Company. Construction will
take 3 years. The railway will also run though Tiguint, Mederdra,
R'Kiz, Leguatt, Leeleibatt and Menjem Boffal.
Mauritania Pledges Reforms To Attract Higher
FDI’s
Mauritanian Economy and Finance Minister Abderahmane Ould Hamma Vezzaz
has announced legal, tax and administrative reforms to improve the
country's Foreign Direct Investment [FDI]. Also a report released
by the World Bank has also revealed several obstacles to the development
of private investment in Mauritania and suggested several reforms
to improve the business environment. [Pana 24/09/07]
IMF: Mauritanian Economy Grows At 5.7%
The Mauritanian economy posted a 5.7% growth rate in the first six
months of the year, despite falling oil revenue. This is the first
evaluation by the IMF since the country's new authorities took office
in April 2007. The positive appraisal will enable the continuation
of reforms in the areas of good governance, accountability and the
search for new sources of revenue to correct the shortcomings of
the oil sector. [PANA 19/09/07]
Mauritania Pledges Reforms To Attract Higher
FDI’s
Mauritanian Economy and Finance Minister Abderahmane Ould Hamma Vezzaz
has announced legal, tax and administrative reforms to improve the
country's Foreign Direct Investment [FDI]. Also a report released
by the World Bank has also revealed several obstacles to the development
of private investment in Mauritania and suggested several reforms
to improve the business environment. [Pana 24/09/07]
Sudan, China To Build $630 Million Mauritania Railway
Sudan's Danfodio Holding and China's Transtech Engineering have signed
an agreement to build a 460 million euro railway linking Mauritania's
capital Nouakchott with southern phosphate deposits at Bofal. The
deal for the 430-km [290 mile] line, which will run close to the
Islamic Republic's southern frontier with Senegal, was signed on
03/08/07 with private Mauritanian investors and Transport Minister
Ahmed Ould Mohameden. The Mauritanian government hopes the line will
link Mauritania to an existing West African rail network covering
Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. [Reuters 05/08/07]
Mauritania Expects 6.2% Growth Rate In 2007
Mauritania is expected to achieve 6.2% growth rate at the end of 2007,
corresponding to a rise of 2.1% compared to last year, according
to the minister of Finance and Economy, Abderahmane Ould Hama Vezaz.
The inflation rate is likely to remain high around 7%. [Pana 06/08/07]
ECOWAS, Mauritania To Strengthen Economic Partnership
The ECOWAS Commission has opened discussions with Mauritania on the
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and the ways of
strengthening economic relations. A high-powered delegation led by
the Commission’s President, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, recently
returned from Nouakchott after a 3-day working visit.
Mauritania withdrew from ECOWAS in 1989 under former president Maaouya
Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya. [APA 18/08/07]
Mauritania’s Abdallahi Sworn In
Mauritania's first democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh
Abdallahi was sworn in on 19/04/07, in a landmark transfer of power
from military to civilian rule. The 69-year-old former political
prisoner and ex-government minister, took the oath in a ceremony
conducted by the head of the country's constitutional court. His
swearing in marks the final step in a successful transfer of power
from the military junta that took power in a bloodless coup 19 months
ago, to a democratically-elected president. Abdallahi also named
former central bank governor Zein Ould Zeidane as prime minister.
[BBC19/04/07]
Outlook Good For Mauritania Economy
Mauritania's economy continues to perform well. Sound macroeconomic
policies helped keep inflation under control, improve confidence
in the domestic currency, and enhance the country's external position.
There has been substantial progress in the financial sector area,
including the promulgation of key financial sector ordinances and
the successful debut of the foreign exchange market. [IMF May 2007]
Mauritania Presidential Elections
Former cabinet minister Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi has won Mauritania's
historic presidential election. He gained 53% of the ballots, against
47% for opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah. The elections were seen
as the fairest since the largely desert country gained independence
from France in 1960.
Mauritania Re-Admitted Into The AU Fold
Mauritania has regained its seat in the African Union [AU] following
its return to constitutional rule, the AU Commission announced.
According to a decision taken by the Peace and Security Council
[PSC] of the
AU at its 76th meeting on 10 April 2007, the suspension measure
taken against Mauritania on 4 August 2005 has been lifted. The
Council
said it was satisfied with the developments that took place since
the coup d'etat of 3 August 2005 and the smooth conduct of the
process of democratic transition, which culminated in the presidential
elections
of 11 and 25 March 2007. [PANA 11/04/07]
Mauritania Becomes Best Performing
Economy In Africa In 2006
Mauritania has been classified in the first position among the 10
African countries which recorded the best economic performances in
2006,
according to "developments in the socioeconomic situation in
Africa," a document published by the UN Economic Commission.
This document highlights economic stability, appreciation of the
value of the national currency, as well as investments in the new
sectors of hydrocarbons, mineral exploration, tourism and fishing
as factors. The nine other countries which recorded the best economic
results in 2006 are Angola, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, Liberia,
DRC, Congo, and Malawi. [Xinhua 01/04/07]
New Dock In Nouadhibou
Mauritanian military leader, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, officiated
at a ceremony to launch the construction of a maritime surveillance
dock in Nouadhibou, 470-km north of Nouakchott. Fisheries and Maritime
Economy Minister, Sidi Mohamed Ould Sidina, said the facility would
facilitate maritime security checks off the Mauritanian coasts.
The dock would also be useful in ship servicing and supply. [APA
24/03/07]
IMF Keen To Work With Mauritania's New Government
The IMF is ready to work with post-transition officials in Mauritania
to discuss the next steps on the country’s reform agenda.
In a statement marking the completion of the first review of the
IMF's
US$24.4m support programme to Mauritania, the first US$6.6m of
which was disbursed to the country in December 2006. The program
seeks
a reduction in poverty and enhanced growth through sound macro-economic
policies and structural reforms in the financial sector. [IMF 01/03/07]
Mauritania's Presidential Election
A seasoned former minister will face a veteran opposition icon in a
second round of presidential election in Mauritania on 25/03/07 in
the final stage of a handover to civilian rule by a military junta.
The deciding presidential run-off in the Saharan state follows an
inconclusive first round on March 11 and carries the hopes of a country
keen to break with a past of poverty, coups and authoritarian rule.
It will seal a promised transfer to civilian democracy by military
officers who seized power in a bloodless 2005 coup that toppled President
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya.
International observers have hailed this month's first round of elections
as the freest ever held in the former French colony, which last year
became Africa's newest oil producer. The two contenders who finished
top of the March 11 ballot - frontrunner Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
with nearly 25% and his rival Ahmed Ould Daddah with nearly 21% - have
tied up electoral alliances ahead of the vote.
Abdallahi, a 68-year-old economist who has served in past governments,
is seen as having the support of the outgoing junta, and of many former
supporters of the overthrown Taya, who is in exile in Qatar. He also
has the public backing of the third- and fourth-placed first round
contenders, former central bank governor Zeine Ould Zeidane, and Messaoud
Ould Boulkheir, a descendant of freed black slaves.
Daddah, 64, who is also an economist and served as central bank chief
in the 1970s, is Mauritania's best known opposition figure and has
experienced both exile and imprisonment. [Reuters 22/03/07]
Mauritania Poll - 05/12/06
Results from 3rd Dec second round of voting for parliamentary elections
in Mauritania show no party has won an overall majority. A coalition
of parties* opposed to the president ousted in last year's coup won
41 of the 95 seats according to the interior minister. Independents
who come from the former ruling party have 39 seats.
Country to Boost Salaries & Simply Tax/Customs
System
Mauritania is expected to pay workers 50% more next year as part of
its 199.675bn ouguiya [$799mn] budget, a government statement said.
The military government, which seized power in a bloodless coup on
August 3 2005, said that the 7.5% budget increase would seek to restore
macro-economic balance and sustainable growth. The budget would simplify
Mauritania's tax system, by making customs duties more transparent
and by providing clear categories for products. The system, which
would strengthen the capacity of the tax administration and ensure "transparent
management of oil resources" according to government, was expected
to be in place in January. [BIA 04/12/06]
EU Funds Mauritania Road Project
Mauritania and the European Union have signed a Euro66.6 million agreement
[over 23 billion ouguiyas] to fund the asphalt pavement of the Ka`di-M`Bout-
Selibaby-Gouraye road network. Mauritanian Economic and Development
Affairs minister Mohamed Ould Abed, and European mission chief in
Mauritania, Jean Eric Paquet, signed the agreement part of the development
of road infrastructures. The project will include putting tarmac
on the Ka`di-M`Bout and Selibaby-Gouraye [159 km] sections and other
construction works on the Selibaby-Gouraye road, including a sill
and eight reinforced concrete bridges. The project is expected to
last 52 months. [ANGOP 07/09/06]
EU To Clear Wrecks Off Mauritania
The EU is to spend Euro26 million on clearing away shipwrecks off
the coast of Mauritania according to the EU's executive European
Commission.
The wrecks hamper shipping and fishing in the area. [Xinhua 24/08/06]
A Year After The Coup - Mauritania Heads Toward
Democracy -06/08/06
Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya came to power in 1984 after
leading a military coup against President Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla.
He returned the country to democracy in 1991 and in the following year
was elected president as the candidate of the Parti Republicain Démocratique
et Social [PRDS]. He was re-elected in 1997 with 90% of the vote, although
the five-party Opposition Front coalition boycotted the poll.
Contacts
and Links
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chambre de Commerce, d'Agriculture et d'Industrie
BP 215
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Nouakchott Port Authority
Port Autonome de Nouakchott (PANPA) also known as Port de l'Amitie
BP 5103
Nouakchott Tel: + 222 251453 / 251794 / 251676 Fax: 222 251794
