Expansion plans for Ivory Coast's San Pedro port on course

The Ivorian government recently awarded global shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company and Emirati Bilal Group, a project to upgrade the country’s second port.

San Pedro port is set to benefit from an injection of about 1.5 billion euros, of which the first tranche of 610 million euros is expected to be received in the coming months.

The expansion works are expected to start in end September and the two companies will invest 185 million euros and 280 million euros respectively.

The Ivorian government also plans to sink in 350 million euros from public funds and additional 90 million euros acquired through funding from the West African Development Bank.

San Pedro, located in south west of the country close to the Liberian border, is a key gateway point for agricultural exports such as; cocoa, rubber and palm products, and imports such as; cotton, rice and wheat.

In 2015, the port handled 4.85 million tonnes of traffic up from 4.73 million tonnes the previous year.

By expanding the port the Ivorian government is optimistic that will become key hub for exports from the region.

AFP