Agency Details
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SOGECO
ROUTE DE L’AEROPORT
1765 rue 22-002
Commune du Ksar/B.P. 351
Nouakchott
Mauritania
Tel: (+222) 5254652
Fax: (+222) 5253903
E-Mail: m.mboyrick@sogeco-sa.mr

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Nouakchott Port Information
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[ Port History ] [ Port Infrastructure ] [ Port Expansion Map ]

Nouakchott port history

Nouakchott, or place of winds, is the capital city of Mauritania and one of the newest capitals in the world. It is located near the West African Atlantic coast and was developed as the capital of Mauritania after it gained independence in 1960. In the past Mauritania lay on one of the most lucrative trade routes in West Africa. It came under control of the Almoravid dynasty of Morocco, and later of the Arabs. Ultimately, France took control of Mauritania and maintained it till Mauritania's independence in 1960. Nouakchott was a major refugee center during the Saharan droughts of the 1970s, and its rapid growth during that period (together with a sharp decline in the number of Mauritania's nomads) was attributed to migration and urbanisation in response to the droughts. The cities growth focuses on a square, the Place de l'Indépendence, and includes an airport and industrial area. It is centrally located on the main north-south highway, connecting the more populated agricultural south with the sparsely populated but mineral-rich north.

Mauritania had always had to rely on neighbouring ports, for it only had the fishing harbour of Nouadhibou, located in the extreme North-West, without any useful links to the Southern, Central and eastern parts of the country. Several projects to build a port were consequently contemplated but due to the peculiar configuration of the coast line which includes a sandy coast, lack of natural safe havens and moving sand banks it did not justify building a traditional harbour with quays.

Plans were consequently drawn up at the beginning of 1963 to build a port called Port Wharf, including the construction of industrial and trade buildings. This became operational in 1966. This wharf, located 350km south of Nouadhibou and 450km north of Dakar was designed to accommodate traffic of up to 50,000 tonnes.

The ports capacity was successfully increased in stages to 200,000 tonnes by improving available equipment and organic growth. This was mainly due to cope with the traffic of copper ore from Akjoujt (120 miles (195 km) northeast).

In 1977 the Wharf was lengthened to provide 3 extra berths for ships of average tonnage raising its capacity to 320,000 tonnes. However, the rapid growth of traffic, coupled with projects developing new industries and the increase in inland trade to land locked countries led to the Mauritanian government to negotiate with the Peoples Republic of China in order to build a deep sea harbour at Nouakchott. These negotiations led to the signature in October 1974 of an economic co-operation agreement in order to build such a port. Preliminary work commenced in 1978 with the foundation stone being laid on 10th April 1979. The inauguration of the Nouakchott deep-sea harbour, christened the 'Port of Friendship' took place on 17th September 1986.

The Autonomous Port of Nouakchott, called PANPA for short, took over the management of the port and as such the port became operational in 1987 attracting trade between the two Capes (White and Green). Stevedoring activities were privatised in 1990 offering competitive storage facilities and warehousing tariffs. While there has been a steady increase in the port's activity, the level of traffic remains below that of the more northern port of Nouadhibou. PANPA's capacity is now estimated to be 1.5 million tonnes per annum and processes more than 90% of Mauritania's imports.

Nouakchott port is an import port representing approximately 96.4 % of all annual traffic. Imported goods include wheat, cement, clinker, flour, sugar, semolina, milk and general equipment. Exports include plaster from Samia, Mauritania's main producer, animal skins and fish.

Cross border relations are enhanced with Mali with the creation of the Entrepôts Maliens en Mauritanie (EMAMAU) which provides a number of warehouses exclusively for Malian cargo. Nouakchott is located on a major highway with a 1,100 kms bitumen road (also known as the 'Road of Hope') connecting Nouakchott with Nema for goods in destined for Nioro or Nara in the Malian Sahel. This road also crosses the towns of Boutilimit and Kiffa.

Road conditions in Mauritania are generally poor, particularly in the interior, and overland travel is difficult. The country's size and harsh climate make road maintenance and repair especially problematic. Vehicles may occasionally be forced off the roads due to drifting sand and dunes. Roaming animals and bush taxis frequently cause accidents.

Mauritania possesses only about 2,070 km (1,286 miles) of surfaced roads, 710 km (441 miles) of unsurfaced roads and 5,140 km (3,194 miles) of unimproved tracks. There are four major roads, each of which links important cities in Mauritania: Nouakchott and Rosso; Nouakchott and Akjoujt; Aleg Boghe and Kaedi; and Nouakchott and Nema (the Road of Hope).

Nouakchott port infrastructure

Port Facilities

Wharf Quai

The port of Nouakchott consists of two quays, one for small vessels (Wharf Quay) with draft less than 5m This quai lies 11 km southwest of the city of Nouakchott. Latitude 18 degrees 02' 08" North, Longitude 16 degrees 01' 43" West. The lighterage quay consists of a working platform of 86 by 21.17 meters overall and is linked by a gangway of 246.5 by 7meters. It also features an extension quay of 55 meters in length with berthing available on both sides.

Port of Friendship Quai

A second quay for larger vessels has a max draft of 10.3m. Known as the 'Port of Friendship Quay' it stretches 585m and split into four berths, three of which are used for cargo handling and the fourth for servicing vessels and tug boats. This quay is located 4km south of the Quai Wharf and 15km southwest of the city of Nouakchott.

The Port of Friendship uses an integrated AS400 computer system developed in co-operation with the Office d'Exploitation des Ports Marocains (ODEP). This offers management transparency and enhances service quality offered to customers.

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Nouadhibou Port Information
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Nouadhibou is the second largest city in Mauritania and serves as the country's commercial center. It is situated on a 40-mile peninsula or headland called Ras Nouadhibou, Cap Blanc, or Cabo Blanco, of which the western side, with the city of Lagouira, is part of Western Sahara. Nouadhibou is less than a mile from the border.

The city is divided into four major areas: the city centre, including the airport, Numerowatt to the north, the main residential area, Cansado to the south, a dormitory town for Port Minéralier, in the far south, from which iron ore mined in Zouerat is exported.

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Transport News
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Mauritania Expects US Trade Benefits To Start In January - 24/12/09
Mauritania expects to begin receiving trade benefits from the US in January 2010. Mauritania has received its upgrade to the group of sub-Saharan nations receiving preferential treatment under Washington's African Growth and Opportunity Act, as a reward for its political progress. While Mauritania's current leaders are former military officers who took over in a coup last year, elections this year saw them return to power in polls deemed largely fair by observers. [DPA 24/12/09]

Busy Mauritania Border Reflects Regional Trade Spike - 11/12/09
Trade between Mauritania and neighbouring regions is booming and Maghreb economic unity appears more likely. All it took was a new paved road linking the Mauritanian port of Nouadhibou and the city of Dakhla. For years, transit of commercial vehicles between Mauritania and Morocco was impeded by rough and often dangerous road conditions at the countries' sole shared land crossing for people and goods. Left-over land mines compounded the problem. After Mauritania repaved the road at the Essentour Crossing in 2006 traders rushed to embrace the new opportunity. According to Mauritanian Director of Foreign Trade Mohammed Ould Hit trade exchanges between Morocco and Mauritania doubled after completion of the paved road.

Located on Mauritania's far north-western tip, Nouadhibou is the country's commercial centre. The port city is known for its vibrant fishing trade, iron ore processing, and cargo boats bound for Europe. The border crossing vibrates around the clock with trucks carrying commercial cargo. Each day, 150 trucks loaded with vegetables, dates, fruits, Arab glue, clothes, jewellery and other commodities arrive in Nouadhibou. Each truck carries more than 20 tonnes. It’s a profitable trade due to low customs duties, or, in some cases, the absence of duties. Under a 1986 trade agreement signed in Nouakchott, goods of local origin are exempt from customs duties, a Ministry statement explained. The legal framework for commercial exchanges includes more than 80 agreements, particularly the foundation of the Moroccan-Mauritanian Businessmen's Council and the establishment of a free-trade zone, both of which occurred in 2000.

According to the most recent report from Morocco's Trade Ministry, the value of imports from Mauritania reached 46,771 dirhams in 2008, compared to 13,848 dirhams in 2006. Exports in 2008 amounted to 392,750 dirhams compared to 279,858 dirhams two years earlier. [Magharebia 11/12/09]

Mauritania Road Link Planned - 13/10/09
Algeria's ministry of public works has put to tender a feasibility study on a road link between the south-western town of Tindouf and Choum in north Mauritania. The offer comprises a technical and economic feasibility study on building such a 900km road. Candidates have until 21/12/09 to submit their applications. [SAPA 13/10/09]

Mauritanian Leader, Chinese Official Launch Nouakchott Port Project - 28/09/09
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the Chinese vice foreign minister, Zhai Jun, launched the extension project of Nouakchott Port on 25/09/09. The Port of Friendship [PANPA www.panpa.mr] project, is being built by a Chinese state company and financed by the Chinese government. It is expected to be completed in 36 months. The funding is within the framework of a preferential loan of 2 billion Chinese yuan [US$295 million] through the Export-Import Bank of China .The loan is refundable in 20 years, including 5-years of grace period, with only an interest rate of 2%.

PANPA is the second biggest Chinese-funded project in Africa. The project includes a petroleum berth, a water break point and a 5-km dyke along the port to protect the infrastructure. The project is also expected to bring about a boom in the port region, including new buildings and equipment. The extension project coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Mauritania is the last leg in Zhai's African tour in search for cooperation between China and African countries [S Africa, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde].

China Discusses Expansion Of Nouakchott Port - 28/07/09
China State Construction Engineering Corp. [CSCEC www.cscec.com.cn] is in discussions with the Mauritanian government about the construction of two further berths - No. 4 and No. 5 in Nouakchott port, Mauritania. The ‘Friendship Harbour’, China's second largest aiding project in Africa, was built in 1979-86 at a cost of US$35 million by China Road & Bridge Corporation. It currently has 3 berths of 10,000 dwt, and is fully equipped with facilities such as bulwarks, repairing workshops and warehouses. Now, the port has a berthing throughput of 1.5 million dwt, far exceeding the designed capacity of 500,000 dwt. [Xinhua 28/07/09]

To view a media report go to: mms://media.xinhuanet.com/media2/english/090728193506_qinlai_06.wmv

Pre Election Clashes In Nouakchott - 29/05/09
Police and hundreds of protesters opposed to next week's presidential election clashed in Nouakchott yesterday. Officers used tear gas and batons to break up the demonstration, and protesters responded by fighting with the officers which lasted more than an hour. The National Front of the Defense of Democracy (FNDD) and the Assembly of Democratic Forces (RFD) which make up the opposition also staged a demonstration in Nouakchott on Monday. The presidential election is due to be held 06/06/09 with the run up expected to be highly tense!

China Ups Nouakchott Stakes - 16/03/09
China is to continue helping with the development of Mauritania’s Nouakchott Port in spite, or, more likely, because of the military coup that took place last August and resulted in financial sources from other donors being pulled. While the African Union, EU and USA all imposed sanctions on the country, the Chinese government has announced US$282M of new investment. Few details have been released, but the port investment is almost certainly being made in exchange for upstream oil and gas concessions in the country.... [WCN 16/03/09]

Spain To Finance The Extension Of Nouadhibou Port - 05/02/09
The Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Sidi Ould Tah, and the Spanish Ambassador in Nouakchott, Aljendro Polanca Mata have signed a loan agreement on 04/02/09 for €18- million to finance the Nouadhibou port extension project [465 km north of Nouakchott]. [PANA 05/02/09]

China To Invest US$282 Million In Nouakchott Port Expansion - 14/01/09
China is to invest US$282 million to expand Nouakchott port in an agreement signed by the two countries on 12/01/09. The deal is expected to lead to a threefold increase in the port's capacity by constructing new quays. The quay is to be extended by > 900m [currently 585m]. The deep-water 'Port of Friendship', constructed by the Chinese in 1979, currently handles 500,000 tons of cargo a year. China is boosting its development assistance to Mauritania at a time when it is looking for new sources of oil. Mauritania discovered oil in 2006 and now produces about 75,000 barrels of oil a day with proven crude reserves of one-billion barrels. Chinese contractors have nearly US$700 million worth of projects in Mauritania including water supplies, telecommunications, agriculture, and construction. Note: This deal comes after Western and African governments threatened sanctions against Mauritania following a military coup in August 2008. The African Union said it would make good that threat if "constitutional order" isn't restored by 05/02/09.

Nouakchott Gains ISPS - December 2008
Nouakchott port has been awarded with official confirmation of compliance for ISPS certification.

What is the ISPS Code?
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code [ISPS Code] is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Click here for more information.

Mauritanian Fish Export Ban - 06/11/08
Please note that the Mauritanian fisheries minister has imposed an export ban on some species of fish namely sea bream, thiof and merou. These account for around 80% of fish exported from Mauritania by local operators [around 70,000 tonnes]. The ban was imposed on Monday [03/11/08]. The ban does not affect ships operating offshore under a deal with the European Union which nets the Mauritanian government 86 million euros [US$110 million] a year. But with the vast majority of fish landed in Mauritania heading for export many fish factories in Nouakchott have been forced to shut down this week.

France's Total Signs Roads Deal With Mauritania's Junta - 25/10/08
French oil giant Total has agreed a deal with Mauritania's military junta to enlarge highways to allow access to oil fields in the northeast of the country. The agreement signed on 23/10/08 mainly concerns the widening and strengthening of a road in the Adrar region, in order to take Total's heavy drilling machinery. Total has an ongoing oil exploration programme in the adjoining Taoudenni basin. [AFP 25/10/08]

China And EU To Finance The Upgrading Of Mauritanian Ports / DP World Interested In Developing Mauritania's Nouakchott Port - 12/05/08
Mauritania’s port infrastructure is to be upgraded with major projects at the capital Nouakchott and the northern port of Nouadhibou. Transport Minister Ahmed Ould Mohameden explained that Mauritania has signed an agreement with China for a US$300m project to extend the “Friendship Port”, built by the Chinese between 1979 and 1984, with a new 450m pier. The Chinese have agreed to extend the port facilities because Nouakchott, now home to nearly one third of just under 3 million Mauritanians, is thriving. The country is benefitting from investment in its fledgling offshore industry alongside investment in its two other pillars of export: iron ore and other minerals, as well as the fishing industry.

Following a visit in April of Dubai World’s chairman Sultan bin Sulayem, Mr Mohameden is negotiating with UAE and other Gulf interests on another project that could extend the new planned pier by another 450m. The project will include a new container terminal, with refrigerating facilities, and a designated free zone to attract further investment to the commercial port. In conjunction, the government wants to transform the artisanal fishing port into a modern fishing port big enough to handle reefer hips for the export of frozen fish. The government also has plans for processing plants to be established around the port as part of a strategy to increase substantially its fish-processing capacity and to increase value-added fish exports.

A similar plan is about to be implemented for the northern commercial and fishing port of Nouadhibou, formerly St Etienne, on Cape Blanc, with plans to extend and build new quays and piers for the commercial and fishing ports here, said Mr Mohameden. Tenders will soon be issued for the quay extensions, financed with European Union development money, which will include the deepening of the draught to 8m for the commercial port and 6m for the fishing port, as well as land reclamation. Nouadhibou port has the advantage over Nouakchott of being a natural shelter, but neglect means that numerous shipwrecks of former Soviet Union and Eastern Block trawlers and factory ships have made the port unsightly and dangerous in places.

It is hoped that the EU would assist in funding to clear these wrecks and finance a feasibility study into the further development of the iron ore port, just south of Nouadhibou. The Chinese will start their work before the end of the year and the whole project, including the 450m new pier, which should be finished within three years. [LL 12/05/08]

AGOA Status: Mauritania Eligible For Duty-Free Exporting - April 2008
Mauritania is now eligible to take advantage of duty-free exporting to the US. Mauritania’s AGOA status was restored in mid-2007 following democratic elections, a year and a half after the bloodless overthrow of the previous government. The desert country is rich in resources, such as oil and iron ore, and last year began shipping petroleum products to the US. A West Africa Trade Hub workshop, attended by 55 participants, focused on other export sectors, particularly fish and seafood. Several companies are already processing fish and seafood there, but significant investment is still needed in the cold chain for packing frozen products for export. Likewise, the country could also export gum Arabic, home furnishings and handwoven cloth under AGOA, but must first overcome shortcomings in communications and transport infrastructure. The Trade Hub is already working with Mauritanian fish exporters and visited a potential new client, Mauritanienne de Tissage, a cooperative which specializes in high-end rugs made of camel wool. [This article originally appeared in the WATH Factor, a monthly newsletter published by the West Africa Trade Hub, a USAID-funded project promoting export development and trade facilitation. www.watradehub.com]

Mauritania Looks To DC World To Enhance Customs - 17/03/08
On 16/03/08 a delegation from Mauritania, led by Mohammed Abdullah Walad Yaha, Minister of Investment, visited the Dubai Customs World headquarters and held talks with Hamad Mohammed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, CEO, DC World. During the meeting, the minister expressed Mauritania’s keenness to benefit from the UAE’s outstanding experience in the area of advanced customs solutions applied by DC World. DC World is well-positioned to provide training and apply information systems and technologies towards simplifying customs procedures. The company stressed its readiness to work with Mauritania. [BI 17/030/8]

China Exim Bank To Finance US$686 Million Railway - 24/01/08
The China Exim Bank has agreed to provide US$686 million for the construction of a 430km railway line connecting Mauritania's third city, Kaedi in the south to the capital Nouakchott. An agreement was signed on 22/01/08 by the Mauritanian Transport Minister Mohameden Ould Ahmed and Dai Chun Li, China Exim Bank general manager. The funds will cover 70% of the total cost of the new railroad with the remainder to be financed by Mauritania's Phosphate Company. Construction will take 3 years. The railway will also run though Tiguint, Mederdra, R'Kiz, Leguatt, Leeleibatt and Menjem Boffal.

Mauritania Pledges Reforms To Attract Higher FDI’s - 24/09/07
Mauritanian Economy and Finance Minister Abderahmane Ould Hamma Vezzaz has announced legal, tax and administrative reforms to improve the country's Foreign Direct Investment [FDI]. Also a report released by the World Bank has also revealed several obstacles to the development of private investment in Mauritania and suggested several reforms to improve the business environment. [Pana 24/09/07]

IMF: Mauritanian Economy Grows At 5.7% - 19/09/07
The Mauritanian economy posted a 5.7% growth rate in the first six months of the year, despite falling oil revenue. This is the first evaluation by the IMF since the country's new authorities took office in April 2007. The positive appraisal will enable the continuation of reforms in the areas of good governance, accountability and the search for new sources of revenue to correct the shortcomings of the oil sector. [PANA 19/09/07]

Sudan, China To Build $630 Million Mauritania Railway - 05/08/07
Sudan's Danfodio Holding and China's Transtech Engineering have signed an agreement to build a 460 million euro railway linking Mauritania's capital Nouakchott with southern phosphate deposits at Bofal. The deal for the 430-km [290 mile] line, which will run close to the Islamic Republic's southern frontier with Senegal, was signed on 03/08/07 with private Mauritanian investors and Transport Minister Ahmed Ould Mohameden. The Mauritanian government hopes the line will link Mauritania to an existing West African rail network covering Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. [Reuters 05/08/07]

Mauritania Expects 6.2% Growth Rate In 2007 - 06/08/07
Mauritania is expected to achieve 6.2% growth rate at the end of 2007, corresponding to a rise of 2.1% compared to last year, according to the minister of Finance and Economy, Abderahmane Ould Hama Vezaz. The inflation rate is likely to remain high around 7%. [Pana 06/08/07]

ECOWAS, Mauritania To Strengthen Economic Partnership - 18/08/07
The ECOWAS Commission has opened discussions with Mauritania on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and the ways of strengthening economic relations. A high-powered delegation led by the Commission’s President, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, recently returned from Nouakchott after a 3-day working visit. Mauritania withdrew from ECOWAS in 1989 under former president Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya. [APA 18/08/07]

Mauritania’s Abdallahi Sworn In - 19/04/07
Mauritania's first democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was sworn in on 19/04/07, in a landmark transfer of power from military to civilian rule. The 69-year-old former political prisoner and ex-government minister, took the oath in a ceremony conducted by the head of the country's constitutional court. His swearing in marks the final step in a successful transfer of power from the military junta that took power in a bloodless coup 19 months ago, to a democratically-elected president. Abdallahi also named former central bank governor Zein Ould Zeidane as prime minister. [BBC 19/04/07]

Mauritania Presidential Elections - 15/04/07
Former cabinet minister Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi has won Mauritania's historic presidential election. He gained 53% of the ballots, against 47% for opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah. The elections were seen as the fairest since the largely desert country gained independence from France in 1960.

Mauritania Re-Admitted Into The AU Fold - 11/04/07
Mauritania has regained its seat in the African Union [AU] following its return to constitutional rule, the AU Commission announced. According to a decision taken by the Peace and Security Council [PSC] of the AU at its 76th meeting on 10 April 2007, the suspension measure taken against Mauritania on 4 August 2005 has been lifted. The Council said it was satisfied with the developments that took place since the coup d'etat of 3 August 2005 and the smooth conduct of the process of democratic transition, which culminated in the presidential elections of 11 and 25 March 2007. [PANA 11/04/07]

Mauritania Becomes Best Performing Economy In Africa In 2006 - 01/04/07
Mauritania has been classified in the first position among the 10 African countries which recorded the best economic performances in 2006, according to "developments in the socioeconomic situation in Africa," a document published by the UN Economic Commission. This document highlights economic stability, appreciation of the value of the national currency, as well as investments in the new sectors of hydrocarbons, mineral exploration, tourism and fishing as factors. The nine other countries which recorded the best economic results in 2006 are Angola, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, Liberia, DRC, Congo, and Malawi. [Xinhua 01/04/07]

New Dock In Nouadhibou - 24/03/07
Mauritanian military leader, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, officiated at a ceremony to launch the construction of a maritime surveillance dock in Nouadhibou, 470-km north of Nouakchott. Fisheries and Maritime Economy Minister, Sidi Mohamed Ould Sidina, said the facility would facilitate maritime security checks off the Mauritanian coasts. The dock would also be useful in ship servicing and supply. [APA 24/03/07]

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Contacts and Links
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Chambre de Commerce, d'Agriculture et d'Industrie
BP 215
Nouakchott, Mauritania

Nouakchott Port Authority
Port Autonome de Nouakchott (PANPA) also known as Port de l'Amitie
BP 5103
Nouakchott
Tel: + 222 251453 / 251794 / 251676
Fax: 222 251794

SGS Website

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