OT Africa Line Service
Brochure
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For comprehensive details highlighting our service from Gabon please
see our latest service
brochure.
Banjul
Port Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 1973, Banjul was known as Bathurst. It was
founded by the British in 1816 and was governed as part of the British colony
of Sierra Leone before becoming the capital of the British Colony and Protectorate
of The Gambia.
Banjul is a seaport on St. Mary's Island, located
at the mouth of the River Gambia, 26 nautical miles away from the Atlantic
Ocean. The port handles 700,000 tons of cargo annually.
The port of Banjul Banjul Port is the gateway to West Africa with modern facilities,
professional staff, competitive prices and prides itself as one of the safest
and most efficient ports within the African region. Banjul's exports include
peanuts, beeswax, palm kernels and oil. Manufactures include peanut and fish
processing and the production of filigree jewellery and woven fabrics for the
expanding tourist industry.
Banjul Port offers:
Competitive and flexible tariffs
24 hour ports operations (The ports
authority operate throughout all state holidays except for Id El Fitr,
Workers Day (1st May) and Christmas Day. On all other holidays productivity
is reduced to 50%.)
One-stop-shop trade documentation process which minimises delay
Faster customer clearance
Flexible working practices and excellent industrial relations
Computerised port operations systems
A high degree of operational efficiency which guarantees a fast vessel
turnaround
Navigational aids
Provides concessionary rates for re-export trade
Excellent seaport, airport and telecommunications infrastructure and services
Location
The port of Banjul is located at the mouth of the River Gambia.
approx 40 nm SE of Dakar
Draft at Quay
Two L-Shaped piers, each with one outside and
inside berth
Berth 1 (Outside)- Draft 6m / Length - 122m
Berth 2 (Inside) - Draft 6m / Length - 102m
Berth 3 (Outside) - Draft 8m / Length - 123m
Berth 4 (Inside) - Draft 5.5m / Length - 103m
Length of quay
750 Metres. Max length of vessel is 182.9m
at wharves and unlimited at anchorage.
Equipment
There are no portal/gantry cranes available. Discharging/loading
is performed using the ships gear. No floating cranes available.
Cargo handling equipment is available as follows:
6 front loaders/top lifters with SWL ranging from 15-42T
3 mobile cranes between 6-20T
13 forklifts
4 haul majors
4 tractor heads
14 chassis (20')
6 chassis (40')
In addition there are 12 reefer plugs. Oil pipe connections
are available at Banjul wharf for discharging of petroleum products
Air Connections
Banjul is regularly served by a number of international airlines
and is only a few hours flying from the world's major trading
centres.
Warehousing/Storage
38,000 square metres of uncovered storage area
3,000 square metres of covered storage area
Transport
News
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enhance Integrated Framework [EIF] Trade Project Launched
- 22/06/10
The minister of Trade, Employment and Regional Integration, Abdou Kolley, has
launched the Enhance Integrated Framework [EIF] project in order to deal
effectively with trade policy development and implementation, trade integration
and facilitation. The 1-day, high-level stakeholders meeting served as a
sensitisation forum which brought together cabinet ministers, policymakers
and development partners. A detailed study identified that the tourism, fisheries
and agriculture sectors were trade potentials which should form the “Priority
Action Matrix". In order to assist its implementation the US$1-million
Tier 1 project was approved last year. [DO 22/06/10]
Removing Trade Barriers - 01/06/10
Custom officials from Senegal and their Gambian counterparts have signed a
joint communiqué which seeks to commit both parties to revise tariffs
and barriers hindering the free flow of goods and services between the two
countries. The communiqué was the outcome of a 2-day constructive
engagement of both parties. Up till now Africa is yet to be fully integrated
economically. This unique move by Gambian and Senegalese customs officials
is therefore a major breakthrough. [DO 01/06/10]
Gambia - Electronic Submission Of Manifests In XML Format
- 14/06/10
Please click here to view
a directive issued by the Gambia Revenue Authority [GRA] regarding manifest
submission. ASYCUDA++ will start a pilot operation
with the launch at head office from 17/06/10.
This move follows the completion of training in ASYCUDA++ on the Modcar/MODTR
modules which facilitates the submission of manifests to Customs in electronic
format.
Please be reminded that you will be mandated to submit all manifests in XML
format which is compatible with ASYCUDA++. Please click
here for guide on
the XML interface. Any queries should be directed to Yaya
JATTA, Accounts, Gambia Shipping
Agencies Tel: +220 422-7518, E-mail: Disbursement.Banjul@bollore.com
Gambia - Importation Of Tinted Vehicles - 25/05/10
Please note the attached regulatory advice from Gambia reguarding vehicles with
tinted windows. Effective immediately all such imports must be cleared by the
Gambian Police Force. See click
here for the official notice.
Trade Minister Presides Over GIEPA Bill Validation -
22/01/10
Yusupha Kah, Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, presided over
a 1-day workshop to validate the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion
Agency [GIEPA]
bill. The bill will replace the Gambia Investment Promotion and the Free
Zones Acts both enacted in 2001 by the National Assembly which jointly
constituted the Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zones Agency [GIPFZA
- www.gipfza.gm].
The new GIEPA bill will be responsible for promoting investment and exports
of Gambian products as well as provide support for the development of small
and medium-sized enterprises [SME’s]. It will also develop a new
set of incentives for the promotion and expansion of industry and development
of innovative enterprises to increase and expand the export base of the economy.
The
validation was characterised by presentation of papers on the essence of
the new bill and its impact on the Gambia economy, with specific reference
to investment and export promotions. The bill is to be sent to the Office
of the President for approval and then to the National Assembly for enactment.
[DO 22/01/10]
US$4.4 Million Banjul-Serrekunda Road Project - 14/10/09
A US$4.4 million Banjul-Serrekunda Road rehabilitation project, funded by the
government of Taiwan, is expected to run for 9-months. Officially launched
on 13/10/09 it is the first time such major rehabilitation will be conducted
on the 11.7km road since its construction 20 years ago. Sahelian Enterprise
[CSE] was awarded the contract. The road is the major highway for the transportation
of export commodities to Gambia's major business centres like Serrekunda
and Brikama from Banjul port. [DO 14/10/09]
US$7.2 Million Feeder Roads Commissioned - 03/08/09
The Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has commissioned a US$7.2 million Western
Region feeder road project in the Fonis region. Funded by Taiwan the project
covers the Kalaji-Arankon Kunda [21km], Mayork-Sangajorr [17km] and Kanilai-Mayork
[14km] feeder roads. [DO 03/08/09]
Gambia President Receives Railway Design - 08/07/09
ARENA UN-LEX Group, a Spanish railway construction group and partner to Bati
Group in Senegal, has presented proposed designs of a railway project to
President Jammeh. The railway project is divided into two phases. First phase
consists of a passengers train from Brikama to Banjul with stations in Serrekunda,
Yundum and Brikama. The second phase will link the airport to the provinces
concentrating on the transportation of goods and services. [DO 08/07/09]
Minister Launches National Coordinating Committee On
Trade - May 09
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, in collaboration with the ECOWAS
Commission and the Swedish International Development Agency [SIDA] launched
the second phase of the Gambia National Coordinating Committee on Trade [NCC]
on 30/04/09. The committee has been set up with the help of the ECOWAS Commission
in Abuja. The committee will assist the development of trade policy and trade
negotiation at multilateral, regional and EPA-EU levels.
Dubai Port World Delegation Visits Gambian Ports Authority
- 17/12/08
The Gambian vice president Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy recently received Hassan
Hadi the vice president of
business development at Dubai Port World. According to officials, the visit
was meant to brief the vice
president about the intention to bridge a mutual relationship between The Gambia
Ports Authority and Dubai
Port World. Mr Hadi told journalists that they were in the country to see for
themselves what exactly is at
hand in The Gambia Ports Authority and what exactly it requires. He told reporters
that they intend to invest
in the country’s ports in the quest to make it much bigger and vibrant. “After
this visit, we will go back to our
country to study a master plan for The Gambia Ports Authority,” he said,
expressing hope of starting the
initiative in the soonest possible time. [DO 17/12/08]
Banjul Sea Port River Study - 28/11/08
A team of experts drawn from Royal Haskonning Consultancy, in collaboration
with the Gambia Ports
Authority [GPA] and other key stakeholders held a meeting as part of preparations
towards transforming the
Banjul Sea Port as well as setting up a River Study Project. The meeting also
aimed at raising awareness
among stakeholders on the objectives of the study, the possible outcome and
implications to all donors
operating in the country. The study is made up of 4-components with specific
objectives including an action
plan for the sea port and ferry computerization, improvement and re-organisation
of ferry services and action
plan for improvement of efficiency of the port, amongst others. [DO 28/11/08]
July 22nd Business Park - 25/08/08
Stakeholders in the business sector attended a forum organised by the Gambia
Investment Promotion and Free Zone
Agency [GIPFZA www.gipfza.gm], in collaboration with the Gambia Investment
Group and the Gambia Chamber of
Commence and Industry, exploring ways and means in which successful investment
can be made at the new US$6.2
million July 22nd Business Park. [DO 25/08/08]
Renovation At Airport Second Phase at US$38Million - 22/07/08
The second phase of the Banjul International Airport [BIA] renovation project
has been estimated at US$38 millions. The project, expected to kick off next
month, is backed by the Kuwaiti Fund, the government of the Islamic Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia and OPEC Fund for International Development. The second phase
will double the apron capacity to 90,000m2, rehabilitate the existing apron
and expand the fire and rescue services as well as rehabilitate the passenger
terminal and the control tower. The first phase involved US$21 million. [DO
22/05/08]
Jammeh To Transform Wharf To Sea-Port - 09/05/08
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, has promised to transform the wharf in Kaur,
Central River Region, into a regional port, which would become the country's
second sea port and will be later developed to major port to be used by Mali
and Burkina Faso. Jammeh also disclosed a proposed rail route from the Gambia
through to Burkina Faso and Mail would facilitate the transportation of commodities
to and from the proposed port. [Pana 09/05/08]
Gambia And Senegal Customs Administrators Meet-
11/04/08
The 6th bilateral meeting between the customs' administration of Gambia and
Senegal dealt with common
concerns through dialogue and cooperation. Gambian Commissioner General,
Momodou K. Tambajang met
Armand Jean Jacque Manga from Senegal to further promote and facilitate trade
under ECOWAS protocols
aimed at facilitating the free movement of goods and people across borders.
A review of progress made
since the last bilateral meeting in 2006, especially on issues regarding
the implementation of the joint
customs posts, reactivation of trade and curtailing smuggling among others.
[FOROYAA 11/04/08]
Banjul Airport Improvements - 01/04/08
The Gambian Government has signed a loan agreement approximating US$ 11 million
for improvements at Banjul International Airport. The loan, between the Government
and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, will be used to finance
Phase II of the Airport Improvement Project. Meanwhile Slok Air is now back
in business, traveling to and from Banjul from a variety of West African
cities.
GPA Has Shortest Rate In Clearing Goods-
27/03/08
According to Abdou Colley, Secretary of State for Trade, Gambia has made
significant progress in
simplifying import and export procedures, adding Gambia is one of the countries
in Africa with the shortest
turn around time for clearing goods. Colley opened a one-day workshop on
the theme ‘Trade Facilitation in
the Gambia: Challenges and Opportunities’ in Banjul. According to him,
the government recognises the
importance of trade facilitation as a key priority in the attempt to capitalize
on trade growth opportunities. The
forum was held in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Committee on Mainstreaming
Trade [Matricom] to
encourage dialogue among stakeholders to improve the trading environment
and to enhance
competitiveness in the sub-region. [DO 27/03/08]
Banjul-Basse River Transport In The Offing -
06/12/07
Considering the importance of the River Gambia for river transport, the Department
of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructural Development is currently
working closely with stakeholders - both public and private - to attract
potential investors to the sector to ensure that plans for the introduction
of river transport from Banjul to Basse/Fatoto is realised. [DO 06/12/07]
National Roads Authority Bill Amended- 09/09/07
The National Roads and Technical Service Authority (Amendment) bill 2007
has been unanimously amended by the National Assembly on 05/09/07. Introducing
the bill, the Vice President and Secretary of State for Women's Affairs,
Isatou Njie Saidy, informed NAMs that the authority is mandated under the
act to administer, control and maintain all roads in the country. The objective
of the act is to facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of the authority
by limiting it to only roads and related structures. [FORYAA 09/09/07]
Registration of Dock Workers Begins- 30/07/07
The Gambia Ports Authority [GPA] has started the controversial registration
of dockworkers in the face of opposition by the Dock and Maritime Workers
Union who accused the GPA management of refusing discussions. The process
started at the end of July, after the GPA had finalised plans to take over
the recruitment, employment and registration of dock workers.
On 24/07/07, the GPA held a 'sensitisation' meeting spearheaded by its operations
manager Ousman Jobarteh. The GPA management noted the following:
The GPA is not legally obliged to pay severance package to dock
workers but is doing so out of humanitarian grounds.
The amounts mentioned for payment of the severance package are only
indicative and shall be finalised upon verification of dock workers' actual age
and
length of service.
All outstanding liabilities shall be deducted from the final payment.
All dock workers above the statutory age of 60 years shall be retired.
The same recruitment and wages, bonus and overtime payment system in
existence shall be maintained pending the wider restructuring of stevedore labour
which
is expected to be complete within the next two years.
Dockworkers' total individual earnings will increase due to the fact
that a lesser number of dockworkers will be sharing their bonus entitlement as
opposed to the old system.
The registration of dockworkers has started and many have already registered
with the GPA. Ousman Jobarteh stated that the aim of the registration is
to enable the GPA to know who are actually dockworkers in turn aiding payment
of compensation. However Landing Sanyang, Secretary General of The Gambia
Dock and Maritime Workers Union, said his Union will not accept the redundancy
and retirement plan. Sanyang said the registration is not in line with the
requirements of the Labour Act and violates their right as a Union. He said
out of a total membership of over four hundred registered dockworkers in
his Union, less than forty people registered with the GPA. [FOROYAA 30/07/07]
Strike Deferred At Banjul Seaport - 06/07/07
Members of the Gambia Dock Workers Union have deferred strike action after
mediation with the management of the Gambia Ports Authority [GPA]. According
to the secretary general of the union, Landing Sanyang new GPA employment
structures were to come into effect on 01/08/07 whereby the NPA wished
to terminate union contracts and hire employees directly. A letter had
stated that severance packages had been worked out and that payments will
be made to all dock workers at the end of the notice.
The notice provoked dock
workers to write an open letter to the GPA management, urging them to cancel
the move. According to Sanyang the dock workers were
not GPA employees thus their services could not be terminated by the ports.
The Union has given the GPA a 28 day notice to rescind, failing which they
will embark on a strike. [OTAL Local Agency & FORYAA 06/07/07]
Gambian Government
Reduces Tariff By 55% - 18/07/07
The Gambian Government have reduced tariffs on the cost of goods and services
by the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). A statement noted the move is in line
with the government’s national strategy for poverty alleviation and
to enhance the conduct of trade and transport making Gambia more competitive
in the marine transport sector. With immediate effect tariffs will be reduced
on landing, handling and passenger charges, as well as navigation fees,
parking and lighting fees.
The statement also announced a reduction on handling charges on major consumer
goods such as rice, sugar, cement, flour, tomato paste, cooking oil and all
other basic commodities. By the same token, storage charges on all items
have also been reduced by 55%. "It is expected that this reduction will
not only add value to the operations of GPA, but will also translate into
cheaper and more affordable goods and services to the Gambian people and
beyond," added the release. [TP 18/07/07]
Dockers Warned - 15/07/2007
A press release from the Office of the President has warned against any interference
in the Gambia Ports Authority's recruitment of dockers or in the provisions
of other services at the Port. The full text of the report, which identifies
GPA as the mandated authority to provide port and other related services
is available to view here.
Customs and Excise Merged Into New Gambia Revenue Authority-
12/07/07
The Gambian government is implementing measures to improve tax administration
and thereby boost revenues through efficiency gains. The establishment
of the Gambia Revenue Authority [GRA] has merged the previous Central Revenue
and Customs and Excise departments under one management structure and is
designed to achieve synergies in the government’s revenue collection
efforts. [OTAL Local Agent 12/07/07]
Dockworkers' Demands Met - 29/04/07
The Secretary General of The Gambia Dock and Marine Workers' Union, Landing
Sanyang has called off the unions sit down strike after their main demands
were met. Namely to fill gangs by promoting dockworkers to unfilled positions.
The Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment instructed
that all the vacant positions were to be immediately filled and added
that dockworkers
who do not belong to gangs would be registered. Concerns over payment
of bonus’s were also tackled. Sanyang indicated that a collective
bargaining committee had been formed comprising Dock Workers, representatives
for
Gambia Ports Authority and the Commissioner of Labour and Representatives
for the Port Labour Board. [FORAYAA 29/04/07]
Dockers Threaten Sit Down Strike - 14/04/07 The Gambia Dock and Marine Workers Union headed by Landing Sanyang gave an
ultimatum to go on a sit down strike to express their dissatisfaction
with effect from 15 April 2007 if their demands are not met. Union leaders
have complained that their members are facing extinction due to dwindling
gang size, lack of promotion and changing of payment mechanism. [Source:
Foroyaa 14/04/07]
Gambia Ports Authority [GPA] Boards
Inaugurated - 02/03/07
Five Parastatal Boards have been inaugurated including the Gambia Ports Authority.
The four other public enterprises are: Gambia Civil Aviation, Gambia Public
Transport Cooperation, Management Service Agency and Gambian International
Airlines. [DO 02/03/07]
Abdou Colley Gambia's New Trade Minister-
01/03/07
The President of Gambia Yahya Jammeh, under sections 71[1] and 71[3] of the Constitution
has appointed Mr. Abdou Colley as Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and
Employment with effect from 24th February 2007. Until his appointment Colley,
37 was at the UNDP Banjul office as an Economic analyst. He replaced Susan
Waffa Ogoo who was recently sacked. [GE 01/03/07]
