Agency Details
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DELMAS CI - CMA CGM Group
01 BP 34749 Immeuble DELMAS
Boulevard du Port Zone
Portuaire de Vridi
Abidjan
Tel: (+225) 21235998
Fax: (+225) 21235996
E-mail: abd.damien@african-agency.com

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OT Africa Line Service Brochure
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For comprehensive details highlighting our service from Côte d'Ivoire please see our latest service brochure.

Abidjan Port Information
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[ Port Infrastructure ] [ OT Africa Line Services ]

Port Infrastructure

Abidjan is the chief port, capital (de facto; legislative), and largest city of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). It lies along the Ébrié Lagoon, which is separated from the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic by the Vridi Plage sandbar.

A village in 1898, it became a town in 1903. Abidjan was a rail terminus from 1904 but had to depend on the meagre facilities of Port-Bouët on the sandbar's ocean shore. It succeeded Bingerville as capital of the French colony in 1934 and retained that position after independence in 1960. Districts within the city include Plateau, Cocody (site of the National University of Côte d'Ivoire), Treichville, Adjame, Koumassi, and Marcory.

The Vridi Canal opened the lagoon to the sea in 1950, and the city soon became the major shipping and financial centre of French-speaking West Africa. The first of two bridges linking the mainland to Petit-Bassam Island was built in 1958.

Abidjan port is the largest, most modern port in West Africa. It has the vital combination of a central and accessible location as well as a developed transport infrastructure. It is a major transit point for West and Central African states using the relatively advanced Ivorian road and rail system. Thanks to the opening of the Vridi canal, this freshwater port handles 90% of the commercial trade to and from Côte d'lvoire.

Trade to and from the region has grown over recent years. Since 1994 OT Africa Line has tripled its number of port calls to Abidjan which is now one of the busiest ports along the coast. The port of Abidjan has a water surface area of almost 2,500 acres, divided into anchoring berths, and mooring buoys for loading rough timber. The land area of 50 acres of warehouses, several specialized facilities includes a banana boatloading dock,a log depot,and an offshore tanker mooring berth linked to the Ivorian Refinery Company by a 17,000-foot pipeline

In terms of trade and commodities, Côte d'Ivoire is the world's third largest exporter of cocoa beans, estimated figures for 1998/9 export is some 1.2m tonnes. Southbound trade to the region consists mainly of consumerables such as foodstuffs, equipment, machinery, manufactured goods (plastics/building materials,cosmetics) and pharmaceuticals. Northbound trade is increasingly vigorous, with export commodities such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, cotton, timber, fruit, fish - frozen and tinnedand vegetables.

Abidjan is becoming the largest fishing harbor in West Africa; its fleet includes trawlers, tuna and sardine fishing boats. More than 200,000 tons of fish are processed yearly in cold storage.

The port of Abidjan has 6km of quay with 34 berths including specialised terminals for containers, timber, fruits, cereals and hydrocarbons.

Click here to view SAGA's access and infrastructural review on Abidjan & San Pedro port

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OT Africa Line Services

OT Africa Line calls at the Vridi Container Terminal, berths 23-25. This terminal offers 960m of quay comprising of 2x11.5m berths, 2x12.5m berths and 1x12.5m deep ro-ro berth. It also has 25ha of paved container yards and a storage area for reefer containers. Vridi Terminal also has a customs office on site.

Vridi terminal has two heavy gantry cranes with an outreach of 35.2m to 40 tonnes. There is also a number of 40 tonnes telescopic spreaders and 25 tonnes 20' spreaders available. Handling equipment includes a full range of spreaders and forklifts.

Shipping Agency

OT Africa Line 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. OT Africa Line is represented in Côte d'Ivoire by DELMAS CI - CMA CGM Group, an agency offers a full liner agency and stevedoring service including documentation, husbandry together with bunkering, port clearance, husbandry, stevedoring and vessel security.

DELMAS CI - CMA CGM Group has full range of handling equipment and a large fleet of trucks and trailers including specialised ro-ro equipment and experienced drivers.

Inland Trucking Services

Abidjan is the major transit port for Mali and Burkina Faso.There is a 1250km stretch of railway leading from Abidjan port to Kaya in the NW of Burkina and some 5,400 km of tarred roads serving the borderlands.

OT Africa Line 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.

Transport News
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Eight Container Cranes Expected At Abidjan Port In 2010 - 30/12/09
SETV, the concessionaire for the Vridi container terminal, will acquired eight further gantry cranes at a cost of almost CFA7 billion for positioning in 2010. The cranes, once delivered, are to be assembled on site. SETV are a Bolloré Group company.

The volume of goods handled in Abidjan port during 2009 remained stable regardless of the global economic downturn. Hence SETV plan further investments of CFA50 billion until 2013. Following the initial 8 cranes the terminal will receive another 6 gantry cranes in 2011. Along with equipment acquisitions, SETV will also make CFA10 billion repairs to piers 21 and 22. Among the projects to complete is the establishment of a regional training center in Abidjan. Fratmat 30/12/09]

Abidjan Focuses On Transit Of Goods To Niger - 22/12/09
Abidjan is heavily focused on promoting its port as the best option for transit cargo to Niger. ‘Operation Piggyback’ which offers transportion of goods by train then by truck to Ouagadougou was officially launched on 05/12/09 after 3-months of trials which demonstrated the viability of the system. On average, the freight traffic between the port of Abidjan and traders from Niger has always hovered around 1,500 tons per year however it reached 12,000 tons during the test period.

Even though the Autonomous Port of Abidjan port is 700km further from Niamey [1,700km] then other coastal ports of Lomé and Cotonou the routing has proved feasible. The port offers a rail connection along the Abidjan-Ouagadougou axis. On arrival Ouagadougou the cargo is loaded onto trucks for different destinations in Niger. For the process to be viable the port has had to ensure the route is competitive compared to competing ports and to ensure the involvement by various stakeholders involved in the traffic. Negotiations with traders from the hub port of Abidjan, the Ivorian and Burkinabe customs, Sitarail, the National Council of Transport Users of Niger [CNUT], all the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Niger and Burkina Faso transport unions have achieved substantial reductions in tariffs. As all parties agreed to lower their cost the Abidjan-Niamey corridor offers a competitive cost per ton with a transit of around 10-days.

The President of Niger, Mamadou Tandja has noted that the scheme offered by Abidjan port will expand the range of ports open to traders of his country, allowing access diversity and enabling them to go where they can make the most profit. However success of the operation hinges on ensuring its sustainability by removing any obstacles which delay traffic, whether storage, transportation, transit or customs as well as maintaining the parameters of quality, cost and delivery times. These criteria will be an ongoing concern for Abidjan port which hopes to obtain a 25% share of the 2 million tons of freight from Niger - a traffic that has tripled in the last 7-years. [FM 22/12/09]

Ivorian-Niger Corridor Transit Cargo To Be Boosted By ‘Project Ferroutage’ - December 2009
‘ Project Ferroutage’ was launched early December. The project initiated by the Autonomous Port of Abidjan [PAA], focusing on the Abidjan-Ouagadougou-Niamey trade corridor, aims to accelerate trade between the Ivory Coast and Niger. This will be achieved by combining rail and road options so that both modes of transport can ‘Piggyback’ off each other – train to truck / truck to train. As part of the project a logistics platform is to be set up in Ouagadougou. Ivorian and Burkinabe customs have been cooperating in order to prepare for the implementation of this project.

Abidjan Port Communication Schemes - 03/12/09
As part of an ongoing quest for customer satisfaction the port of Abidjan has renovated its website www.paa-ci.org. The authority has also launched a customer service line [+225] 21216200 or by SMS 98088 which provides up to date information on vessel / agents. A ‘green line’ for customer issues/complaints is also available 80008888. [Abidjanet 03/12/09]

San Pedro Port Promotion [J2AM -2010] - December 2009
The Port Authority of San Pedro is organising the ‘Journées de l’Armateurs et l’Agent Maritime ‘J2AM -2010’ to promote port facilities and increase its traffic. The meeting will be held on 11-12/02/10 and hopes to encourage ship owners and agents to choose San Pedro as a destination for their operations of import and export of goods. San Pedro port has long been unable to get rid of its stereotype as a timber port. But now with the diversification of its traffic including cement products, wheat imports and cocoa, rubber, coffee and palm oil for export it wants to attract other resources. San Pedro port wants to expand its traffic range in competition with Abidjan port particularly as traffic has improved considerably averaging at 1.2 million tonnes pa with 80% directed towards exports with a value of more than CFA230 billion.

Cote d’Ivoire - Satellite Tracking For Inland Trucks - 07/12/09
The Autonomous Port of Abidjan has launched a new service last week. All trucks leaving the port to hinterland countries will now be monitored using a satellite tracking system which will allow containers to be traced along their route in real-time from a central control center. Port Director General Marcel Gossio noted significant benefits of the system including traceability, real time information and the transparency of barriers all of which enable transport companies to act quickly to resolve problems efficiently and minimise costly delays. The system is to be integrated into the Sygap Web where subscribers can track their goods.

Autonomous Port Of Abidjan [PAA]: An Integration Tool - 26/10/09
Director General of Abidjan Port Authority [PAA], Marcel Gossio, has visited Bamako on a trade mission. Discussions covered issues concerning freight rates and pre and post delivery of transit goods amongst others. To address the concerns of costs, a reduction of 20% is made on port charges and transit cargo is also exempt from state taxes. The periods of relief granted to goods for import and transit are far greater than those for traffic destined for Côte d'Ivoire and pre and post delivery benefit from simplified customs clearance procedures. For example, steps are being taken to remove the bond that was imposed on goods in transit.

In addition, the bond imposed by Customs for storing goods has been reduced. To improve service the Port of Abidjan has an office in Bamako and to meet the needs of storage for traders, 4 new stores with an area of 20,000m2 are in operation. Also PAA officials are working with the Ivorian Shippers Office [ICO] to permanently remove all barriers to the flow of traffic. [Maliweb 26/10/09]

San Pedro Port Finding Ways To Expand - 22/10/09
San Pedro port has long been unable to get rid of its stereotype as a timber port. But now with the diversification of its traffic including cement products, wheat imports and cocoa, rubber, coffee and palm oil for export it wants to attract other resources. San Pedro port wants to expand its traffic range in competition with Abidjan port particularly as traffic has improved considerably averaging at 1.2 million tonnes pa with 80% directed towards exports with a value of more than CFA230 billion.

The Port Authority has implemented a 3-year plan to rehabilitate the port infrastructure and thereby increase its competitiveness. These include the development of the port by a major concessionaire, exploitation of iron ore and nickel from Mount Klahoyo and Mount Nimba and a new dry port facility in Danané near the Guinea border. Danané sits on Abidjan-Conakry corridor with connections to the Trans-African Highway which captures traffic from Dakar, Ndjamena, Bamako and the coastal Dakar-Lagos traffic. The tarring of the 260km Odienné-Bougouni [Ivory Coast/Mali] road is also hoped to promote the flow of exports from Mali including cotton through San Pedro port as well as the tarring of the 29km Taboo-Prollo [SW Côte d'Ivoire/Liberia] road. [Abidjanet 22/10/09]

San Pedro Port Dredging - September 2009
San Pedro port is undergoing dredging works from 10/10/09. The project is expected to last 5-weeks. Both the South and West Quays are to be fdredged to 11-12m. The company undertaking the dredging work is Belgian company Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering NV [DEME www.deme.be]. Work will be undertaken by the hopper dredger ‘Orwell’.

APSNet Launched – 25/08/09
Abidjan Port Synergy [APSNet] is a computerised data platform allowing interconnectivity between the port and maritime community [shipping lines, Customs, the port authority, controlling agencies, container terminals, port gates]. Launched on 27/07/09 the system covers import and export cargo documentation - manifests, arrival notices and request for ship movement. APSNet is formed by the following shareholders: Port Autonome d’Abidjan (PAA), Fédération Maritime de Côte d’Ivoire (FEDERMAR), Office Ivoirien des Chargeurs (OIC) and SGS.

In conjunction with the Ghanaian GCNet, APSNet also provides one of the first Customs-to-Customs interface in order to enable both Ghana Customs and Côte d’Ivoire Customs to exchange transaction data of consignment travelling from one country to the other.

Another important objective of APSNet is to provide traders located in the northern landlocked countries, real-time information on the clearance status and location of their goods. This will provide importers and exporters in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger full visibility on the status of their goods thus saving substantial time and money.

Please click here for more detail [French only].

Ivorian Port Strike Ends – 12/06/09
The situation is gradually returning to normal after a dockers strike. Services should run to schedule with 2-3 days as the Director General of the Abidjan Port Authority has made the necessary staffing provisions. Productivity is expected to be increased with the arrival of a 2nd Gottwald crane at the SETV terminal within 8-days.

Latest On Ivorian Port Strike - 11/06/09
At the time of writing a 14-day strike by dock workers at Ivory Coast’s port of Abidjan may finally be resolved following a meeting between dockers unions and the Interior Minister Desiree Trago. The National Collective
of Dockers, which represents 80% of workers at the port, noted that if a solution was found then work would resume. The strike by about 6,000 workers at the state-owned port has blocked imports and curbed exports from Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, as well as from neighbouring land-locked states Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The workers are striking because of a pay dispute and to demand improved working
conditions. The row escalated when Ivorian police fired tear gas at dockers trying to prevent workers hired to replace them from doing their job. Marcel Gossio, the port's managing director noted the strike has also forced around 50 ships to rival ports in the sub-region, potentially causing a shortage of basic goods at domestically and in land-locked neighbours and could result in price hikes for imported goods. The industrial action has reportedly cost the country as much as US$200 million in lost revenues such as customs and port handling charges. About half of Ivory Coast's cocoa exports pass through Abidjan. Provisional port data showed that cocoa
bean exports totalled 753,116 tonnes from October to May of the 2008/09 season. Overall arrivals at Ivorian ports reached around 1,028,000 tonnes by June 7, exporters estimated. [BL 15/06/09 & RT 11/06/09]

Konecranes Books RTG’s For Abidjan - 26/05/09
Konecranes has won an order for eight more RTGs from Bolloré Africa Logistics [BAL], part of France’s Bolloré group, for its Sté d’Exploitation du Terminal de Vridi [SETV] operation in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Deliveries will commence in March 2010. This is a follow-up order for Konecranes, which delivered eight identical RTGs to SETV last year. [WCN 26/05/09]

Situation Escalates: Ivorian Police Tear Gas Abidjan's Striking Dockers - 09/06/09
Police used tear gas to disperse dozens of striking dockers on Monday morning. The police had intervened after the workers tried to prevent new recruits, brought in to fill the gap left by dockers striking over a pay dispute, from starting their work. Monday's tear-gassing marks an escalation of the strike, which has been simmering since last week. Policemen and gendarmes in armoured cars were deployed to the port yesterday afternoon. One cocoa exporter said they had already started to see the impact of the strike on their exports, which are starting to be delayed. Port activity has slowed as there are not enough dockers to work. Congestion and delays are inevitable.

Port of Abidjan On Strike - 05/06/09
Please be advised the the port of Abidjan went on strike 3 days ago. There has been no vessel operation except at the SETV terminal (limited to one gang per ship). Inland haulage has been suspended since for last 3 days. The situation is expected to improve today but there will be a backlog to clear and some delays.

Abidjan Port To Spend US$62Million On Expansion - 21/05/09
Abidjan's port operator will spend 30 billion CFA francs [US$62.3 million] between now and 2012 to transform the Ivorian harbour into a regional transport hub. The port of Abidjan is the main export terminal in the world's biggest cocoa grower and aims to grow from an import-export point to a gateway for landlocked countries in West Africa. Lionel Labarre, chief of the management firm which operates the port, known as SETV stated: "What we need to develop now is the port's capacity to handle volume for Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. I think that will grow strongly in the next five years, as will transshipments for ports in the region. What interests our major clients, who are shipping lines is not just taking in containers for import and handling containers for export, but to make Abidjan a transfer point and become a principal port hub for the sub-region."

SETV is part of French industrial giant Bolloré, the biggest transport and logistics operator in Africa. Much-delayed elections, a key step towards reunification, are scheduled for November this year, and Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is under considerable international pressure to ensure polls go ahead. Volume at the port has been steadily rising in recent years, reaching 600,000 containers last year, up from 530,000 in 2007 and 430,000 in 2004, when Bolloré began running the port. This is forecast to rise to 800,000-900,000 containers between 2010 and 2012. The management firm has already spent 34 billion CFA francs on the port since 2004, Labarre said, an investment which has increased its throughput capacity to 80 containers per hour, up from around 20 per hour in 2004.

Ivory Coast election date is set - 15/05/09
Ivory Coast Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has confirmed the nation will hold a presidential election on 29 November after more than four years of delays. Delays in voter registration and arguments over who is eligible to vote have led to the postponement of several previous election deadlines. The West African state has put off elections several times since President Laurent Gbagbo's mandate expired in October 2005.

Ivorian Stevedores On Strike: Abidjan Port - 22/04/09
Following a week of poor productivity by stevedores during cargo operations on vessels in Abidjan port, the stevedoring companies council and the syndicate of dockers held a crisis meeting this afternoon. During that meeting a decision was taken not to work any vessels tonight until a solution is found to the dockers problems. [Source SAGA 22/04/09]

Bolloré Africa Logistics Orders Second Set Of RTG Cranes For Abidjan - 31/03/09
Bolloré Africa Logistics [www.bollore-africa-logistics.com] has placed an order for a second set of 40t rubber tired gantry [RTG] cranes from Konecranes for its Société d’Exploitation du Terminal de Vridi [SETV] container terminal in Abidjan. The RTGs are fully electrical and hydraulic-free and can stack 5-containers high and 7-wide plus a truck lane. Bolloré will take delivery of the 8 x RTG cranes in March 2010. Konecranes delivered an identical order of 8 cranes in 2008. Bollore's investment programme will increase the storage capacity at the terminal with 22,000 TEUs and will allow SETV to handle nearly 800,000 TEUs a year. No indication of cost has been given. [31/03/09]

Customs Strike In Abidjan Ends - March 2009
A recent strike by Customs staff has ended in Abidjan. The move had impeded commercial activities specifically imports into Abidjan. This strike affected the main revenue generating service which has proved costly for the country with estimated losses running at about FCFA5 billion [US$10 million]. According to the Minister of Economy and Finances, the strike had an impact on government operations, including a risk of budget imbalance and more crucially, loss of necessary revenue for public finances.

Background
A strike notice was issued on 18/02/09 over social conditions which included demands concerning extra-time bonuses, health insurance contracts and termination of recruiting retired/military personnel amongst others. The strike was initiated by the ‘Coalition’, a group of 4 unions which then spread to the financial branch of the service and paralyzed the entire customs administration. All customs activities were grounded with Customs offices [www.douanes.ci] in Port Autonome d’Abidjan [Abidjan-Nord www.paa-ci.org] and the Port of San Pedro remaining closed. Luckily, negotiations with the strikers in order to reinstate customs clearing operations have been fruitful. Union spokesperson Célestin Doh noted that concessions have been made on the main demands. Alphonse Mangly, Director General of Customs, is reported to have agreed to increase extra-time pay.

Meanwhile many operators have complained about the impossibility to clear goods in bonded warehouses. This additional cargo piled up in warehouses causing additional charges for the operators.

US$26 Million Cranes Delivered To Abidjan - 24/02/09
Two giant 35-tonne mobile cranes and two clinker bins worth US$26 million [FCFA13 billion] were delivered to quay 14 Abidjan port on 23/02/09. The cargo delivered by Beluga Projects is destined for the bulk ore terminal. The cranes were off-loaded in 3-days and delivered to Belgian group Sea Invest Africa [www.seainvest.be] who are investing some US$124-million [FCFA 62-billion] to modernise the bulk handling equipment of the Port Autonome of Abidjan. This equipment, offering a rate of 600 tons per hour, will enable ores specifically manganese and uranium produced in the Ivory Coast and hinterland countries of Burkina Faso and Mali to be exported. The equipment is expected to be operational by mid March. The second phase of investment, according to Sea Invest Africa President, Jean Benahim, will be a conveyor belt for the unloading of clinker. [FM 24/02/09]

Abidjan Port Authority – FCFA13-Billion Revenue Envisaged In 2009 - 15/01/09
The Abidjan Port Authority’s [PAA] objective for 2009 is to collect revenues of FCFA13-billion. According to Marcel Gossio the port’s Managing Director, in 2008 the port handled FCFA11.5-billion of receipts and 22 million tons of traffic. Gossio explained that with increasing political stability, warming of relations with hinterland countries as well as the future extension of Boulay Island Port the authorities activities will be boosted. Abidjan port aims to handle 25 million tons by 2012. [Le Patriote 15/01/09]

Belgian Group Sea Invest Invests €95-Million In Abidjan Port - 18/01/09
The Belgian Group Sea Invest is investing €95-million [FCFA 62-billion] to modernise the bulk handling equipment of the Port Autonome of Abidjan. This investment is a concrete measure in a much larger programme for the revitalisation of the port. Two 35-tons Gottwald cranes are expected to arrive around the 15/02/09. This equipment, offering a rate of 600 tons per hour, will enable ores produced in the Ivory Coast and hinterland countries of Burkina Faso and Mali to be exported. The programme aims notably at a more rational management of port space, decongestion of quays and the fastest operational times in the subregion. [LA 18/01/09]

Abidjan Port Aquires 4th Gantry Crane - 16/01/09
The Abidjan Port Authority [PAA] has acquired a 4th postpanamax gantry crane for the Vridi container terminal. The US$8-million [4 billion CFA] crane was delivered on 04/01/09 on board vessel ' Zhen Hua 21' from Shanghai (China) to SETV (Societe d`Exploitation du Terminal de Vridi www.setv.ci). The crane was delivered to quay 24.  After 2 days of unlashing the crane was safely discharged onto the quay on 06/01/09. It will take another month to secure the crane before it is operational. The crane has a 50 tons capacity which can cater for larger ships of 42 meters.  The Port Authority will from end of February 2009 be able to offer a peak rate of 100 movements per hour [the fastest in the sub-region]. Click here for more pictures.

Abidjan Dockers Strike - 15/12/08
As we go to press a dock workers strike continues in Abidjan which has been on-going since 09/12/08. One of the 13 unions [CNDT] has made a stand over pay. According to Jean Landry Atse, president of the National Dockers’ Association, the dock workers are also demanding the release of 11 of their colleagues who were arrested earlier this week over the dispute. The Director of the port, Marel Gossio has met with the union leader in an effort to mediate. [Local Agent 15/12/08]

EU, Ivory Coast sign interim free trade deal - 27/11/08
The EU and Ivory Coast signed an interim free trade deal today [26/11/08] that will open EU markets to Ivorian goods with no quotas or import duties. Ivory Coast will only partially open up its economy, liberalising 81% of imports from European Union countries over a period of 15 years. EU exports to Ivory Coast are mainly industrial machinery / vehicles / chemicals. Imports are agricultural products, particularly cocoa / bananas. The agreement combines the benefits of a trade pact with development assistance targeted at accelerating growth and development in Ivory Coast. The final goal remains to conclude a full EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) with all the members of the West African region. Last year, both Ivory Coast and Ghana initialled 11th-hour trade deals with EU negotiators, anxious to safeguard their exports before preferential trade terms expired at the end of 2007.

EU, Ivory Coast Sign Interim Free Trade Deal - 26/11/08
The EU and Ivory Coast signed an interim free trade deal on 26/11/08 that will open EU markets to Ivorian goods with no quotas or import duties. Ivory Coast will only partially open up its economy, liberalising 81% of imports from European Union countries over a period of 15 years. EU exports to Ivory Coast are mainly industrial machinery / vehicles / chemicals. Imports are agricultural products, particularly cocoa / bananas. The agreement combines the benefits of a trade pact with development assistance targeted at accelerating growth and development in Ivory Coast. The final goal remains to conclude a full EPA [Economic Partnership Agreement] with all the members of the West African region. Last year, both Ivory Coast and Ghana initialled 11th-hour trade deals with EU negotiators, anxious to safeguard their exports before preferential trade terms expired at the end of 2007. [RT 26/11/08]

Ivory Coast Postpones Poll - Official - 12/11/08
Following a meeting yesterday [11/11/08] by the permanent consultation committee [CPC] in Ouagadougou an official announcment confirms that a post-war presidential election will not take place as planned on Nov. 30. The meeting was attended by Ivory Coast's President Laurent Gbagbo, rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who is now prime minister, and leading opposition figures and mediated by Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore. Electoral officials are to set a new date by 31/12/08.

Preparations for the much-delayed polls are long behind schedule and announcement of a further postponement was widely expected. A complex national identification process is far from complete, as is disarmament of fighters from a 2002/03 civil war that split the country in two.

Ivorian Cocoa Farmers Continue Strike - 03/11/08
A meeting, brokered by local chieftains, between cocoa farmers and the industry management committee ended on Friday without a deal. The striking farmers want buyers to pay CFAfr700 per kg ($1.33) – the non-compulsory guideline price set earlier this month by the government-appointed management committee which took over the administration of the cocoa sector in September. Data published by marketing body, the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC), put prices on October 28 in most regions at around CFAfr500 per kg. On Thursday, Ivorian prime minister Guillaume Soro promised action would be taken on Friday. So far nothing has been done. The strike has contributed to a sharp drop in arrivals at ports, which received around 63,000 tonnes from October 1 to 26, down from 167,292 tonnes in the same period last year. Joseph Yao Kouame, president of farmers' union SAPICOCI, has said planters would stay on strike until buyers started paying higher prices.

Ivorian Cocoa Farmers Strike Second Week - 28/10/08
Cocoa farmers continue to strike over prices into a second week as traditional chieftains [who have considerable influence] in the region are trying to mediate a deal. Farmers around the port of San Pedro, which handles nearly half the nation's output, began disrupting deliveries of cocoa last week to press demands for higher prices. Local reports state all the cooperatives are shut. [Buyers have been told not to come unless they are willing to pay 700 CFA/kg. Today the price at the factory gate is 580 CFA/kg.] The week-old strike has already slowed arrivals to the country's two ports. Exporters said they expected arrivals during the week to Oct. 26 to be down 5,000-10,000 tonnes on the previous week's deliveries of 15,000 tonnes. If nothing is done within a week, SAPICOCI will take the strike to another level [no detail given].

Ivorian Cocoa Exports Blocked - 09/10/08
Cocoa exporters in Ivory Coast are unable to export beans bought in the new 2008/09 (Oct/Sept) season because the authorities have not announced an approved exporters' list or new tax levels. The interim authority overseeing the cocoa sector formally launched the 2008/09 season on Sunday, almost a week late. It announced an indicative farmgate price of 700 CFA francs per kg, up 40% from the previous quarter. But it has failed to announce a new list of approved exporters for 2008/09 or set the new levels of levies and taxes, both prerequisites for exporters to be able to operate in the new crop year.

Delays in announcing the exporters' list and tax levels are complicating an already chaotic start to the new season, marred by strikes in the cocoa sector administration and a corruption inquiry which led to most of the sector's leaders being replaced by an interim authority. Prices of cocoa on world markets hit a 28-year high of more than $3,290 per tonne in July, but since then have fallen by more than 25 percent as commodities were dragged down by global financial turmoil.

Ivory Coast Cocoa Sector Faces Season In Turmoil - 12/09/08
Corruption scandals, strikes and power struggles that have rocked Ivory Coast's cocoa sector before a new harvest and upcoming elections could rattle markets if they persist. A strike this month over unpaid salaries by employees in the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) has disrupted export registration bringing it to a current stand still. Moving to tackle the chaos, the Ivorian government announced plans on 11/09/08 to overhaul the sector by replacing its 5-main administrative bodies with a single temporary organisation, ahead of an intended longer-term reform. [RT 12/09/08]

Ivory Coast to replace all cocoa bodies with a temporary entity - 11/09/08
The Ivorian government announced yesterday that it will replace all bodies administering its cocoa sector by September 15 with a temporary entity that will remain in place until widespread reforms are complete. The new set-up will consist of a single organisation. It will take over the jobs of all the bodies that were born from the 2000 reform [when the sector was liberalised].

Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) Steps Up Strike - 10/09/08
Workers at Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) has stepped up thier strike over 3-months pay arrears yesterday [09/09/08]. According to the SYNASGFICC cocoa sector union the minimum service the BCC had been providing has now been stopped. The export office in San Pedro & Abidjan is closed and all IT systems have been shut down. Both BCC registration offices in Abidjan city & port are currently not offering any services. Therfore cocoa can no longer be exported. So far impact has been negligible due to low volumes. However, the industry is focusing on the 2008/09 season, which starts Oct. 1 and fears are growing that turmoil within the BCC and other industry bodies could cause disruption when the new season launches.

Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) Strike - 05/09/08
Staff employed by Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) have gone on strike over unpaid salaries [2 months of arrears]. The stoppage has had minimum affect on registration of exports as shippers are still able to register their exports through the BCC's automated system. [Exporters must register their beans at the exchange before they can be shipped abroad].

Malian Warehouse in the Port of Abidjan - 16/07/08
The Malian government has launched the construction of a warehouse in the Port of Abidjan [PAA – Port Autonome d’Abidjan] where goods from/to Mali are forwarded, in order to increase traffic with Cote d’Ivoire, its “historical” partner. This warehouse of 11,000m² is intended to respond to the “expectation of large flows of goods from and towards Mali”, said Marcel Gossio, director of the PAA, during the launch ceremony. The Malian Minister of Equipment and Transport Hamed Diané Semega has noted that access to the port of Abidjan is of such importance for Mali that all will be made to maintain the Abidjan-Bamako axis in the best possible conditions. Click here to read on...

Ivory Coast union calls off planned general strike - 31/07/08
The General Union for Ivorian Workers (UGTCI) has called off a general strike planned for July 31, saying it wanted to allow time for talks aimed at resolving a crisis sparked by the high cost of living.

Potential Strike In Cote d'Ivoire - 25/07/08
The General Union of Ivoirian Workers, an influential trade union in Ivory Coast with 400,000 members, has called for a general strike starting on July 31 until further notice to protest against the high cost of living. A strike last week disrupted transport and sparked clashes between youths and police in the main commercial city Abidjan over increase in fuel costs. The Union wants a reduction in the price of fuel at petrol stations and an increase in salaries for civil servants. Union leaders who called last week's strike discussed the crisis with Prime Minister Soro last weekend. The government has since agreed to a series of measures, including cutting the fixed price of diesel and delaying the deadline for paying road tax. The concessions will cost the government 200 billion CFA francs ($477.9 million) but they would be offset by ministers having their pay slashed. But the unions are saying the minimum wage and transport benefits must be increased to battle rising costs of living.

Ivory Coast Petrol Prices Slashed Unions To Consider Response Over Strike - 21/07/2008
Ivory Coast on Sunday slashed fuel prices and halved ministers' salaries. The price of petrol is now fixed at 495 CFA francs a litre against 550 offsetting a hefty rise earlier this month that caused a disruptive transport strike last week. Prime Minister Guillaume Soro said the price cut and other concessions would cost the state $484 million, and government ministers' pay would be cut in half as part of efforts to make good the shortfall. It was unclear whether the moves would appease unions who called a stoppage last week that disrupted public transport in the main city Abidjan. Union officials said they would consider their response today. Although the price rise stems from world oil price rises and other external pressures, continued protests could create serious political problems at for President Gbagbo, who is widely expected to stand for a second term in office in delayed post-war elections scheduled for November.

Strike In Ivory Coast Affects Abidjan Port's Labour - 17/07/08
A transport strike has gripped Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan. Since Monday bus and taxi drivers have maintained a protest stoppage over sharp hikes in fuel and diesel prices introduced by the government earlier this month. On July 7, the price per litre of fuel in Ivory Coast rose 29% for gasoline and 44% for diesel. Some gasoline stations are closed. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to walk to work and many public and private sector employees have stayed at home. According to the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) the stoppage has so far had little impact on their business during the usual seasonal lull. The strike has occurred at the tail end of Ivory Coast's 2007/2008 mid-crop, in which volumes of weekly cocoa arrivals at the ports have been falling off. The port is open but many dockers have been unable to get to work and as the week progresses delays and congestion is building. We also note reports that the Trade Union UGTCI (Union Générale des Travailleurs de Cote d'Ivoire) is calling for a 48 hrs strike as from today 17/07/08.

Fuel Price Increases Rise 44% Overnight - 07/07/08
The last time the Cote d’Ivoire increased the prices of fuel at the pumps was in 2005 when the price of a barrel stood at US$57. Today, the price of a barrel has risen to circa US$145. But with three years of good management, by both the Government and the national refinery (SIR – Societe de Raffinage Ivoirienne), and also helped by the declining value of the US dollar, the State had managed to resist a price increase. That was until 06/07/08 when fuel prices were risen by 44% overnight. The immediate reaction was an increase in all the local prices followed by demonstrations with road blocks, and local businesses shut down, in protest, not just against the fuel increases, but the general rising costs of living in the country. [07/07/08]

Ivory Coast Launches Project To Expand Abidjan Port - 11/06/08
On 11/06/08 President Gbagbo laid the first stone for a new terminal to expand the port of Abidjan which is expected to handle 4,000 TEU vessels. The port's new terminal will be built on the island of Boulay, off the coast of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, at a cost of US$237 million. [100 billion CFA francs / 152 million euros] A new bridge will also be built from Yopougon on the mainland across to the island. The terminal and bridge are expected to be completed in March 2012. The Ivorian port authority [PAA] announced a 13% increase in commercial traffic last year which reached a record of 21.37 million tonnes. The port of Abidjan, which saw a decline in business after the Ivory Coast's 2002 rebellion that split the country in two, has been involved for several months in a programme to reclaim its market, especially with countries lacking a seaport such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. [AFP 11/06/08] Please visit the PAA website at www.paa-ci.org where you can view a video clip about this project.

Cote d'Ivoire Inks Interim Trade Deal With EU - 07/12/07
Cote d'Ivoire has clinched an interim trade agreement with the European Union [EU] before preferential trade terms expire at the end of this year. The accord includes terms on market access and promoting cooperation. The two sides will also continue negotiating on a broader Economic Partnership Agreement [EPA], which is expected to be signed in 2008. The top cocoa producer is the first West African country to sign a bilateral deal, breaking ranks with the region's ECOWAS economic community, which hopes to extend decades-old trade terms deemed illegal by the World Trade Organisation.

The interim deal will provide for the gradual abolition of trade taxes, notably tariffs on goods imported into Ivory Coast from Europe, except for a limited list of "sensitive products" drawn up during more than a week of detailed negotiations. The agreement is effective from Jan. 1 but may not be signed until June. It forsees dismantling of tariffs over 15 years on 80 percent of goods entering the former French colony. The European Union will compensate Ivory Coast for lost tariff and customs income and provide expertise to help local industries, particularly food processors, become more efficient to withstand competition from European imports. As part of tax reforms required to comply with WTO rules, a 220 CFA/kg ($0.49) export tax on cocoa, a major source of income, would be repackaged as a tax levied earlier in the supply chain before the export stage. [Reuters 07/12/07]

San Pedro Port Celebrates 35 Years - 04/12/07
San Pedro Port Authorities celebrated 35 years of San Pedro Port on 04/12/2007. Week long festivities took place. Below we look at the ports development and the installation of a new action plan for the ports revival. Click here to read on...

Ivory Coast To Expand West Africa's Biggest Port - 02/10/07
Ivory Coast plans to pump more than US$230 million into Abidjan port to increase capacity and accommodate bigger ships in anticipation of a post-war economic revival. The expansion project involves building quays, warehouses and roads on the Ile Boulay, a virtually undeveloped strip of land in Abidjan's Ebrie Lagoon, where the port is located. Ile Boulay would be connected to the mainland by a bridge running to the vast Youpougon suburb.

Construction work could begin as early as 2008 but no clear timetable has been elaborated as yet. President Gbagbo said the project would cost around 75 billion CFA of which two thirds were available now. It will also cost an additional 35 billion CFA francs to deepen the Vridi Canal linking the lagoon-side port to the open sea to 14m depth from 11.m, enabling larger ships to access the port. This would bring the overall cost of the expansion project to 110 billion CFA francs.

Activity slowed at Abidjan's state-controlled port when a 2002-2003 civil war left the northern half of the country under rebel control, causing landlocked countries to the north to turn to other regional ports to move goods. Now that a March peace accord has breathed new life into national reconciliation moves, the port hopes to capitalise by recovering lost business from these expanding economies. [Reuters 02/10/07]

Fuel Convoy Tests Road Link In Post-War Ivory Coast - 26/09/07
Ivory Coast sent its first truck convoy of gas and jet fuel north to Burkina Faso since the 2002-2003 civil war, in what hauliers said was a test of commercial road transport in the once war-divided state. A convoy of 26 trucks left Abidjan and headed towards the northern half of the country, seized by rebels during the war. Since the conflict, Burkina Faso has imported hydrocarbon products from Abidjan by a rail link to its capital Ouagadougou because insecurity and numerous government and rebel roadblocks disrupted road travel and transport north from Abidjan. The resumption of commercial exports by road is one of the fruits of a peace deal in March.

Road blocks in Ivory Coast, have multiplied since the civil war, generating income for police and soldiers who extort small sums from motorists and taxi drivers but much larger amounts from heavy goods vehicles. At a meeting at Abidjan's port, Prime Minister Soro promised to meet both government and rebel forces to reduce the number of roadblocks. Local media cited the director of the Ivorian Freight Office [OIC] as saying one truck driver who went from Abidjan port to Ouangolo in the far north had to pay a total of 1 million CFA [$2,160] to pass through the many roadblocks.

The government is now looking to expand Abidjan port's capacity, expecting an economic revival. Burkina Faso has also resumed exports of cotton bales to Abidjan port by road weeks. [Reuters 26/09/07]

Once Bitten, Twice Shy - Land Locked Traders Hesitant To Resume Trade To Ivorian Ports - 26/08/07
Efforts to resolve the long-running political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire appear to be yielding progress; however, certain traders in land-locked countries to the north are still hesitant to bank on the peace process, and resume use of Ivorian ports. In 2002, Côte d'Ivoire was split into a rebel-held north and government-controlled south, effectively cutting links between ports and northern states. The division occurred after a failed coup staged by rebel troops who accused authorities of marginalising people in the north, as well as residents of foreign origin. A peace accord was signed in Ouagadougou [Burkina Faso], in March. Rebel leader Guillaume Soro was subsequently appointed prime minister in a power-sharing government, and a United Nations buffer zone between north and south dismantled. President Laurent Gbagbo has also spoken of holding elections before the end of the year.

Nonetheless, Malian traders are cautious about conducting business as they had done before the split. After the crisis began in Côte d'Ivoire in 2002, Mali had more than 8 million tonnes of goods blocked at the port of Abidjan. The Malian government had been obliged to sign agreements with countries such as Ghana and Togo to provide alternative routes for the goods. From these countries, freight could be taken through Burkina Faso en route to Mali. This transit through Ghana and Burkina Faso cost traders a lot of money, with estimates reaching some US$6 million; and, many businesspeople who were not financially secure went bankrupt. Instead, traders now prefer to wait until matters in Côte d'Ivoire have returned to normal before using the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro.

Nigerien exporters also emphasise that the strife in Cote d’Ivoire also effected other forms of cross-border trade. The importance of commercial relations between the two countries is not only in terms of port transit, but also in exchanges of Ivorian manufactured goods and products from the Nigerien agriculture sector. Products such as vegetable oil, construction materials, butane gas, soap and plastic goods are imported by Nigeriens from Côte d'Ivoire and the Ivorian market offers a large outlet for Nigerien products such as onions, and cattle. More than 30% of Nigerien onions are exported to Côte d'Ivoire. Many Nigerien traders are also waiting for normality to resume in Côte d'Ivoire before continuing use of the country's ports.

Economists believe such hesitations are justified. The continental Sahelian countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were affected by the socio-political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, noting that 75% of imports to these countries are channelled through Abidjan's port facilities. In addition, this crisis revealed a certain lack of foresight on the part of traders in land-locked Francophone countries of the Sahel, which had never thought to look for a diversification of their sources of supplies. According to port authorities in Abidjan, freight exchanged between Côte d'Ivoire and countries of the Sahel declined dramatically as a result of the political difficulties, going from about 1.4 million tonnes in 2002 to just over 200,000 tonnes in 2003, a decrease of 85.%. For Burkina Faso, the main foreign client for the port of Abidjan, it fell from 27,719 tonnes in 2003 to 471 tonnes in 2002, or by some 94%.

In a bid to renew trading ties, port officials started holding meetings in Côte d'Ivoire's land-locked neighbours towards the end of July. Speaking in Ouagadougou, the director of the port of Abidjan, Marcel Gossio, noted that there would be a resumption of escorts for convoys travelling between Sahelien countries and Ivorian ports. Those using Ivorian roads are often subject to extortion by security forces, both soldiers under rebel control, and troops loyal to the government. [IPS 26/08/07]

Blocking Roads, Blocking Peace - 02/08/07
Harassment and extortion are rampant at Côte d'Ivoire's ubiquitous roadblocks and unless stopped the scourge will make economic revival and stability impossible according to the Ivorian Chamber of Commerce President Jean-Louis Billon. Roadblocks have long been a fact of life throughout Côte d'Ivoire, but the phenomenon has exploded in the five years of unrest since a coup in 2002, with both government forces and rebels seeing the transport circuit as a lucrative enterprise. [IRIN 02/08/07]

India Doubles Trade With Ivory Coast - 15/08/07
India's trade with Ivory Coast has doubled from US$250 to US$500 million in the last two years and it hopes to make the country a hub for investment elsewhere in West Africa. Companies from the resource-hungry Asian nation are involved in a host of projects particularly mining and oil. Indian exports include items such as food processing machinery and Tata buses. Investments are likely to continue to rise particularly as India's Taurian Steel has just won prospecting rights for iron ore reserves. Last year India planned to invest around US$1 billion dollars in the country in the following five years, but the figure is now likely to be much higher. [Reuters 15/08/07]

Abidjan- Yamoussoukro Highway - 20/06/07
The Abidjan-Yamoussoukro highway will be led in 3 phases by COLAS-JEAN LEFEBVRE Group:

• Phase 1: Abidjan-Singrobo [rehabilitation] 146km / Singrobo-Taabo [new road – expressway 2 x1 ways] 24km
• Phase 2: Taabo-Toumodi {new road] 24km
• Phase 3: Toumodi-Yamoussokro [new road] 40km
• The passage to a 2x2 motorway will be assessed at a later stage according to traffic evolution [20/06/07 Ambassade de Cote d’Ivoire]

Yamoussoukro-Bouaké Tollway - 20/06/07
The Ivorian government are to extend the Yamoussoukro-Bouaké tollway in order to improve links with Central and Northern regions of the country and reinforce integration with Burkina Faso. The project will cover 100km. Private financing is being sought under BOOT basis for a period of 30 years. Preliminary studies are being prepared and international competitive bidding will follow. [20/06/07 Ambassade de Cote d’Ivoire]

Jacqueville Toll Bridge - 20/06/07
The Abidjan-Jacqueville road is intersected by the Ebrie Lagoon. Currently motorized ferryboats, often out of order are the only means to cross. These ferries are to be replaced with a concrete bridge 457m long by 10m wide. The government is seeking finance with returns from a toll-gate system. [20/06/07 Ambassade de Cote d’Ivoire]

San Pedro Port Rehabilitation - Q&A - 20/06/07
This month we have approached Mr KOIDOU D. Constant, Commercial /Marketing and NTIC Director of the San Pedro Port [PASP] to provide an overview of current work being undertaken at the port. Details of whichcan be found in the Transport report.

San Pedro Launches Tender - 20/06/07
San Pedro port authority has recently launched a tender for works included in a huge inc=vestment project. This Development Plan has structured the execution in 2 phases:

Phase 1
12m deep dock of 50ha
Multi-use 700m long quays terminal with a 12m water draught and a 20ha platform in the back
50ha industrial zone
3ha wood storage
7km long beltway
Fishing Port already completed, courtesy of the government of Japan

Phase 2
200-ha water basin
10-km long total quay
200 ha of commercial platforms
650ha Port industrial zone

The execution of this plan will give San Pedro's Port increased merchandise storage and ships reception capacity and will encourage the establishment of marine related industries.

Ivorian Unity Government Unveiled / Buffer Zone Removed - 07/04/07
Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivory Coast president, has named a new government led by Guillaume Soro, a former rebel leader, under a deal to reunite the war-divided country. UN peacekeepers agreed to begin withdrawing forces in the middle of April after last month's deal between Gbagbo and Soro to disarm fighters and organise elections within 10 months.

The new government includes six new ministerial appointees but leaves many portfolios unchanged from the previous unity cabinet of Charles Konan Banny, the interim prime minister. The number of ministers was cut by three to 33. The key defence portfolio went to a loyalist of Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front, Michel Amani N'Guessan, who will oversee the formation of joint forces and the removal of a buffer zone between the rebel-held north and government-controlled south.

Charles Koffi Diby became economy and finance minister. He previously held the portfolio as minister delegate on behalf of Banny, who stepped down this week to make way for Soro. Amadou Gon Coulibaly, an ally of northern political opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, remained agriculture minister. Ivory Coast's "G7" opposition group - which includes the former ruling Democratic Party [PDCI] and Ouattara's Rally of the Republicans - welcomed the new cabinet.

Fernand Marcel Amoussou, commander of UN peacekeepers in Ivory Coast, said the 7,000-strong force, backed by French troops, would start withdrawing on April 16. France will also pull out 500 of its 3,500 peacekeepers after the deal. [Aljazeera 07/04/07]

Ivorian Chosen As African Shipper Council President - 18/04/07
During a conference held in Abidjan from 29-30/03/07 the Director of the Ivorian Shippers Council [OIC] was chosen as president the Union of African Shipper Council. [Local Agent 18/04/07]

San Pedro Port To Be Renovated - 11/04/07
The director of San Pedro port, Désiré Dallo, has signed a contract with the West Africa Development bank [BOAD] worth Euro 6million to renovate the port. The money will use for:

• installation and asphalting the1.5 km road linking the commercial port to the timber yard
• the acquisition and installation of harbour equipment including a mobile crane.
• construction of a 4 story building to house the stevedores

The main aim of the project is improvement in performance, infrastructure development and heighten security of the maritime operations. However financial support is also needed to asphalt access roads to Mali, Guinea and Liberia.Click here to view the tender documents. [FM 11/04/07]

SYDAM System Started - 18/04/07
The new commodity clearance system (SYDAM) started this month. With the new structure container numbers, seal numbers and cars chassis must be filed into the database in addition to the information that was needed by the former SYDAM system. Please also be reminded that the scanner in Abidjan port has commenced operations since the 03/03/07. [Local Agent 18/04/07]

Ivorian Leaders Sign Peace Agreement - 01/03/07
Following the signing of a peace agreement between the rival leaders in Côte d'Ivoire, United Nations [UN] Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the international community to be ready to provide key help in such fields as disarmament, security sector reform and preparations for elections in the divided West African country. He added in his latest report on the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire [UNOCI], that the UN is ready, and continues to prepare and assist Ivorian parties in implementing the many key tasks related to those processes. [UN, 12/03]

Fiscal Identity Number - Abidjan CTBL - 22/02/07
There seems to be some confusion regarding the Unique Fiscal Identity number / Identite Ficale Unique [IFU] for CTBL cargo via Abidjan. This number is the receivers tax identification code and should be supplied by the shipper when the CTBL documentation is sent forward to the POD and Final Destination Agents. We have been informed that Abidjan customs require not only the number but a copy of the IFU form in order to complete Custom formalities. A copy of this form must be obtained from the receiver by the shipper in order to process the CTBL documentation. [OT Africa Line Agent 22/02/07]

Project For Dedicated Ro-Ro Quays - 08/02/07
A project is soon to be launched dedicating some of Abidjan port quays purely to Ro-Ro vessels. Quays N° 16 to N° 20 on the south area of Abidjan port will in the future receive only roro vessels. Studies have been completed and physical planning is reported to be underway. GETMA is leader of this project and are confident that this will commence before end of 2007. [OT Africa Line Agent 08/02/07]

Bridge To Link Abidjan And Jacqueville - 08/02/07
Financial aid of 3.5 million CFA = 4/5 millions Euros] from the BOAD [Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement] has been allocated to finance a bridge to cross the lagoon between Abidjan and Jacqueville. The bridge is hoped to help develop tourism and the local economy. In particular to increase the production of the desiccated coconut exports as many factories are located in this town. [OT Africa Line Agent 08/02/07]

Advance Warning: New Cargo Clearance Procedure to be Launched in Abidjan - 08/02/07
Please find the outline of a new procedure for cargo clearance in Abidjan. The launch of this procedure is expected for the beginning of February 2007. We shall revert as soon as we receive confirmation of the start date. Meanwhile we list the proposed procedure in the following file:

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For more information from inland services from Abidjan please click here.

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Contacts and Links
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Port Autonome d’Abidjan
Abidjan - BP V85
Tél: (+225) 21 23 80 00
Fax: (+225) 21 23 80 80
Website: www.paa-ci.org

Office Ivoirien des Chargeurs (OIC)
Face Grand Moulin d’Abidjan
01 BP 3709 Abidjan 01
Tél. : (225) 21.25.99.33
Fax : (225) 21.25.27.20
Email: oic@aviso.ci
Web: www.oic.ci

Direction Generale Des Douanes
Place de la republique
BP: V 25 Abidjan
Tel: (225) 20 251 500 / (225) 20 212 593
Fax: (225) 20 251 514/ (225) 20 220 568
Email: direction.generale@douanes.ci
Web: http://www.douanes.ci

Port Autonome de San Pedro [PASP]
Headquaters sis Zone Portuaire San Pedro B.P. 339/340 San Pedro – RCI
Tel: (+225) 34717200
Fax: (+225) 34717235
E-mail: direction@sanpedro-portci.com
Website: http://www.sanpedro-portci.com

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