AFRICA

Abidjan and Douala concessions up in the air

23 years ago

The disputed container terminal concession at Vridi, Abidjan, awarded to SETV and the Bollore group continues to cause problems. Last week 30 people were killed in Abidjan during anti-government protests that were in part related to this issue. The top management of the port authority were sacked and the president has still to select replacements. The directeur of affairs maritime and portuaires has advised that the Bollore licence has been suspended pending meetings that will commence in April.

Overall, he notes, Indian ports are beginning to lack competitiveness compared to other regional players, which places the country’s overseas trade at risk.

Meanwhile in Douala it seems likely the World Bank will put pressure on the government to review the contract recently granted where the leading player APMT/Maersk was awarded the container terminal concession.