DELMAS TOGO CMA CGM group
ZI Port Autonome -Angle de rue B1 et D10
06 BP/ 60740 6
Lomé
Togo Tel: (+228) 227 5793 Fax: (+228) 228 227 4958 E-mail: Rose Ahodikpe:lmo.rahodikpe@african–agency.com
OT Africa Line Service Brochure
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For comprehensive details highlighting our service from Togo
please see our latest service
brochure.
OTAL Service ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipping Agency
OTAL operates a range of transport services complementing
its regular liner operations. These include West African terminal operations
and liner agency services, customs clearance, cargo consolidation,
airfreight handling, storage and warehousing, project logistics and
trucking. OTAL is represented in Togo by Saga, a thriving agency providing
efficient documentation and liner agency services together with bunkering,
port clearance, husbandry, stevedoring and vessel security.
Inland Trucking Services
OTAL provides customers with a trucking service, transporting
cargo to, from and within Togo. OTAL also acts as a major handler of
transit cargo for Niger and Burkina Faso. OTAL offers through transport
services using a single document, the Combined Transport Bill of Lading
(CBTL). With track and trace facilities in place we are able to track
exactly where your cargo is every step of the way. For further information
on OTAL's CTBL service please click
here.
Lome
Port Information
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Lomé lies on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic
coast) in the extreme southwestern corner of the country. Selected
as the colonial capital of German Togoland in 1897, it became important
as an administrative, commercial, and transport centre.
A modern town was laid out, and a 1,380-foot (420-metre)
jetty was built to facilitate the export of raw materials. Three railways
fan out from Lomé to the hinterland: northwest to Palimé,
north to Sokodé, and east along the coast to Aného.
Modernization of the port begun in the 1960s, and a deepwater
harbour, completed in 1968, initially planned for a 400,000-ton annual
traffic, but currently maintains a 3,000,000-ton annual traffic. This
has greatly facilitated the shipping of phosphates and other major
exports, such as cocoa, coffee, copra, cotton, and palm products. The
Lomé oil refinery was opened in 1978, and in that same year
construction began on a thermal power plant. An international airport
is nearby.
The Togolese capital was also the site of several important
summits; the first Lomé Convention was signed there in 1975,
establishing an aid and trade agreement between African, Caribbean,
and Pacific (ACP) countries and the European Union.
The port offers two piers the major one being 1720-m
long with a 950m back-up structure eastwards. The maximum water drought
is 14m. There are two quays:
Mole 1: Measures 366,5 m in length by 72 m in width with
4 berths for conventional ships and has a total capacity of more than
400 000 tons.
Mole 2: Measures 250 m in length and 140 m in width.
It can accommodate vessels of 11 ,000 to 15, 000 dwt (Ro-ro) with a
capacity of more than 525 000 tons of various goods
Lomé port also has a specialist quay for gypsum,
clinker and sulphur, and an oil wharf for hydrocarbons.
Draft
at Harbour Mouth
16m
Draft at Berth
12.5m
Cranes
Cranes from 4 to 55 tonnes, mobile 3x10-60
tonnes
Equipment
2 to 15 tons fork lift trucks, 29 tons container lift trucks,
tractors and tractor trucks, trailers, platform trailer and various
vehicles for containers handling
Rail Connections
Yes, connecting with the principal internal
and international networks
Road Connections
A 38km road network
Warehousing
Four transit warehouses each 7,500m2, two 10,000m2 warehouses
belonging to the Togolese Chamber of Commerce, one 5,000m2 transit
warehouse for Niger and the same for Mali. Also offers more than
200,000 m2 of open space storage and a 3 hectare parking lot
for second hand vehicles
President Gnassingbé Inaugurates Lomé Ring Road -
January 2010 President Faure Gnassingbe has led a ceremony launching
construction of a new 13.8 km road from the Togolese capital. The
new road is
intended to ease traffic flow in the capital and boost activities
at the Port of Lomé, improving connections to landlocked
countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad. According to the Minister
of Transport and Public Works, Comlan Kadji, this bypass will increase
the competitiveness of the transit trade
of Togo and stimulate economic development. The construction is funded by a
loan from the Chinese government. Work is expected to take 30 months.
NCT Necotrans Will Start Work At The Port Of Lome - 07/01/10 Construction of the Lome Port extension by NCT Necotrans
is expected to commence on 31/01/10. According to Abdel Aziz
Thiam, Vice-President
of the Group, 1,500 m2 of additional quay will be constructed
offering a 16m draft capable of accommodating vessels with a
capacity of
8,000 TEU. Additionally a 53-ha storage container will be constructed.
The primary function of the new terminal will be to become a
transhipment hub handling some 450,000 TEUs per annum. The extension
project
was signed on 15/12/09 and will operate with a 35-year concession.
The project is expected to cost €250 million. [Le Moci 07/01/10]
Afdb Provide US$36.6 Million Grant For Aflao-Sanve
Conji-Benin Boarder Road - 14/01/10
The African Development Bank [AfDB] Group has approved a grant
of US$36.6 million to Togo which aims to finance the rehabilitation
and modernization of the Aflao-Sanve Conji-Benin boarder road
(Lome-Avepozo Port Roundabout). The road,
is part of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor which is a top priority
of ECOWAS' regional program for transport facilitation. The Togolese
section of the road is estimated at 52.7km.
Due to its deep seaport, Togo is one a very important transit
point. This explains why improving the service levels of roads
between
the various states and sections of the road within urban areas
constitute a high priority to the Togolese government. The AfDB
contribution will enable Togo to play a key role as a trade corridor
for landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger,
as well as for other countries such as Ghana and Benin. [AfDB 14/01/10]
EBID Grants Lome US3.5 Million Loan For Port Equipment - 10/11/09 The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development / Banque
d’Investissement
et de Développement de la CEDEAO [EBID/BIDC - www.bidc-ebid.org]
has granted a complementary loan of CFA1.5 billion [US$3.5 million]
to the Port Autonome de Lomé [PAL - www.togoport.tg/english-version/services/infra_eng.html]
during its 26th session of Board of Directors.
This complementary loan is for the acquisition of a new fork lift.
Scanner Inaugurated - 04/11/09 The Minister of Economy and Finance, Adji Otèth Ayassor,
inaugurated a new scanner at the Port of Lome [PAL] on 02/11/09. This
equipment, installed by Cotecna, aims to strengthen the control of goods
through the port as well as maximize revenues. Togo has had an established
Destination Scheme [DI] contract with Cotecna since 1994. [Togo News
04/11/09]
Amakpafe Bridge Opens - 12/10/09 On 07/10/09 the Amakpafe Bridge [75km from Lome to the North] which
collapsed in July 2008 was reopened. The new bridge is expected
to ease the traffic of goods bound for the north and hinterland
countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. [SAGA 12/10/09]
Lome Port Introduces New Weighbridges We have been advised
by our local agent that 2 new weighbridges have been installed at Lome port
entrance. As of 01/09/09 all trucks exiting the port will now be weighed
to control weight levels. There is no fee involved however if a truck
is overweight it will face a penalty fine and will not be allowed to leave
the port
until the overweight items are discharged. Please click here and here for
official notices [French only]. This move is part of the UEMOA scheme
to reduce
deteroriation of the sub-regions roads.
EIB Writes Off Togo Port Debt - 14/05/09 The European Investment Bank [EIB] has cancelled Euro 8.3 million
of debt which had been contracted with the Lome Autonomous Port
several years ago for modernization of Lome port. This move is
within the framework of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries [HIPC]
Initiative. The agreement was signed by the EIB vice-president
Plutarchos Skallaris and the Togolese Economy and Finance minister,
Adji Oteth Ayassor at the 44th annual assembly of the African Development
Bank [AfDB] Group. [PANA 14/05/09]
Togo Potential Coup Foiled - 15/04/09 Togolese security forces have arrested Kpatcha Gnassingbe,
the president's brother, on Wednesday on suspicion of plotting
to seize
power whilst President Faure Gnassingbe was overseas.
The President cancelled a trip to China on Sunday after foreign
security services warned him a strike was imminent.
Kpatcha was arrested on Wednesday morning in Lome on leaving the
USA embassy where he had sought refuge.
Public prosecutor Robert Bakai said an investigation had begun.
Faure Gnassingbe was elected leader of the world's 4th biggest
producer of phospates in a vote in 2005, taking over from his father
who had ruled the country since seizing power in 1967. The next
presidential elections are scheduled for 2010.
The IMF has only just resumed lending last year after a 14-year
hiatus, while the EU restarted economic cooperation with Togo in
2007, also for the first time in 14 years.
Lome To Become Gate To West Africa - 9,200TEU
Vessels To Be Handled By 2012 - 26/03/09 Togo is planning the construction of a deep sea port by 2010
at a cost of €250 million. It will be ranked as the first of its
kind in the sub-region. German construction company, Inros Lackner AG
[www.inros-lackner.de] have been contracted to develop the port which
moved 10 million tons of cargo in 2008. The project will see the port
entrance and quays dredged to a draught of 16.6m allowing ships of up
to 9,200 TEU’s to enter. Five berths with a potential of 1.5 million
TEU are planned to cater for the potential increase in feeder services
expected to use the deep-water facilities. The terminal will be operated
by Getma International [part of French group Necotrans www.getma.fr /
www.necotrans.com] who have agreed to a 45 years contract with the option
of further 10 years. Free port zones will also promote hinterland transit
cargo with their simplified customs procedures offering streamlined transportation
to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. [DVZ 26/03/09]
Cotecna Extends Togo Contract / Will Install New Scanner - 04/03/09 International inspection company, Cotecna [www.cotecna.com],
has extended its contract with the government of Togo to 31/12/15
effective
from 01/02/09. Cotecna has been present in Togo since 1994. The Togolese
authorities are taking the fight against Customs fraud seriously and as such
Cotecna will install and operate a new generation
6 MeV mobile scanner at the Port of Lomé as of 01/10/09. [Source:
Cotecna 04/03/09]
Port Autonome de Lomé To Expand Terminal
- 27/02/09 A joint venture between Getma International [www.getma.fr] and
Global Terminal Ltd [www.global-terminal.com] signed a 35-year concession
with the Port Autonome de Lomé [PAL] to operate and expand the
Lomé Container Terminal [LCT]. Within three years capacity will
increase to 500,000 TEU, and then to 1.5 million TEU at the end of the
agreement. The government of Togo says it has secured investment of €200M
to redevelop and expand the
Port of Lomé. [DY 27/02/09]
Focus: Collapsed Bridges Affect Regional Trade - October 2008 In late July, the collapse of bridges in Togo paralyzed the
country’s
road transport network, cutting off an important supply route for landlocked
countries north of Togo and increasing the cost of moving goods to and from
them. The ensuing crisis has cost businesses tens of thousands of dollars
in lost profits.Click
here to read on...
Update: CTBL Cargo: Lome-Ouagadougou Corridor - 10/09/08 OTAL can now offer an inland service from Lome to Ouagadougou
following the opening of the national road No 1. Please click
here to find the most recent government communiqué on
the opening of the main national route which details limits
on weight and size.
CTBL Cargo: Lome-Ouagadougou Corridor - 26/08/08
Further to our notice issued on 21/08/08 regarding continued heavy rains
in Togo
please note that we have now SUSPENDED our inland service
from Lome to Ouagadougou. Until further notice please use the following
ports as an alternative:Abidjan for Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso, Cotonou
for Niamey, Dakar for Bamako.
CTBL Cargo: Lome-Ouagadougou Corridor - 21/08/08 Torrential floods
in Togo have destroyed roads and bridges, in particular the Amakpapé bridge,
100km north of Lome on road n°1,
the main corridor to the north of the country. Immediate measures
have been taken to deviate cargo via minor roads (Atakpamé via
Kpalimé and Notsé via
Agou). However the continuation of heavy rains has also deteriorated
the condition
of these roads. The Togolese Authorities are repairing the destroyed
Amakpapé railroad
bridge, however this will take some time. [Note: the access road to
the bridge runs through a marsh area which is also flooded.] Roads
are becoming congested with 300 trucks waiting at the Sahel Terminal
on the outskirts of Lomé with 100 more trucks waiting
on the road for departure. Under these conditions delays are to be
expected with extended transit times. For containers not waiting in
Lome there is an alternative route via Cotonou, Benin. Please contact
your local OTAL agent for rates and
conditions.
Floods Ease As Transport Links Improve - 12/08/08 According to local news reports in the Togo press dated 08/08/08 the
situation has improved somewhat on roads affected by recent floods. CTBL traffic
is now experiencing delays of 48hrs minimum to and from hinterland countries.
Please click
here for the latest communication from theTogo Authorities for refeence [French
only].
Heavy Rains Effects Lome-Ougadougou Inland Transit
- 01/08/08
Please note that Togo has experienced heavy rains in the South.
Nine bridges have been damaged according to Reuters news and roads
washed away effecting the main trade road to Burkina Faso.
Please click here for a press article for the governments response
to re-build the roads for traffics to the North of Togo and Burkina.
Delays are to be expected [Lome-Ougadougou corridor].
Export Figures - 01/12/07
According to IMF estimate, the 2007 Togo export figures [FOB] will reach an
amount of 344 billions FCFA compared to 323 billion FCFA in 2006.
Mobile Cranes Arrive In Lome Port-
16/02/07
Two mobile Liebherr [www.liebherr.com] cranes were received at the port of
Lomé on 06/02/07. These LHM 400 cranes are designed for versatile and
efficient cargo handling up to panamax-sized vessels. Each has a maximum lifting
capacity of 104 tonnes with a 48m max radius. The cranes will meet all cargo
handling needs covering containers, general cargoes, bulk materials and heavy
lifts. The mobile cranes will be positioned at quay n° 6. The cranes are
capable of doing 18 moves per hour compared to the standard vessel crane producing
8 moves per hour. The cost of using the mobile crane is 25euro/mvt. Togolese
technicians will drive the cranes supervised by four Ukrainians technicians.
The cranes were purchased under a Joint Venture [JV] by Des Grues Mobiles du
Port Autonome de Lomé formed by SE2M Togo and CMA-CGM. [OTAL Local Agent
16/02/07]
Ghana-Togo Set Up Border Facilitation
Committee - 23/01/07
A 26-member Inter Border Facilitation Committee [IBFC] that will ensure the
free movement of persons and goods between Ghana and Togo has been inaugurated
at Aflao on the Ghana Togo border, 230km East of Accra. The Committee's work
is part of the Abidjan-Lagos Road Transport corridor project. Presidents Kufuor
and Gnasingbe also extended the time for closing the border from 6 pm to 10
pm. [Republic of Togo 23/01/07]
WADB Loan To Port Of Lome - 24/01/07
At the beginning of September 2006, the West African Development Bank [WADB]
extended a loan of 8billion CFA to the Lome Autonomous Port [LAP] for partial
financing of a port infrastructure upgrading project. Specifically planned
is the establishment of a 40,000m2 parking lot as well as fortifying the
supply of electricity and drinking water. The goal is to be able to ensure
a turnover of at least 5 million tonnes of merchandise per year and to guarantee
the supply of electricity and water to the port. Such financing should allow
for an unhindered flow of traffic within the port and more specifically for
the minerals dock to be usable at all seasons.
At the moment of this financing agreement
the overall net agreements on loans and participations by the WADB
to Togo amount to 92 billion FCFA. The WADB will receive a credit line
of 30 million Euros from the French development Agency [FDA], allocated
to refinancing of infrastructure projects in the public market sector
of the West African and monetary Union [WAEMU] countries. [La Tribune
Dec 2006 No 3]
IMF To Introduce SYDONIA ++ - 24/01/07
A mission of the IMF visited Lome in November 2006 to set a timetable for reforms.
One such application will be the introduction of the SYDONIA ++ information
software system. This is due to be in operation in the 5 Customs offices
by April 2007. [La Tribune Dec 2006 No 3]
