Between 12 and 14 October 2022, Côte d'Ivoire Terminal, holder of the concession for the new container terminal at the Port of Abidjan, successfully completed its first test port call by hosting the container vessel MSC Floriana. 

The 50-hour exercise allowed for evaluation of the unloading and loading operations on the ship using the STS gantries, and of the handling of the containers at the yard with RTG cranes and Gaussin electric tractors. 

The evaluation also covered all other systems, in particular the Terminal Operating System (TOS) linked to the invoicing and customs systems. It also tested the means of communication, the synchronisation of truck movements and the interactions between the services of Côte d'Ivoire Terminal and its customers, all of which were considered satisfactory. 

“We are pleased to have been able to successfully complete the various tests of our entire operational structure, in terms of both equipment and the work of our teams. This performance means that we are entirely satisfied with the implementation of our operational system, and assures us of our teams’ ability to receive and handle every ship that calls at our quay,” noted Koen de Backker, Managing Director of Côte d’Ivoire Terminal.

“We are pleased to receive this first test port call at the new container terminal at the Port of Abidjan. The success of this operation demonstrates the abilities of our equipment and our teams when it comes to respond to our customers’ requests and process them. This is therefore an important step that will reassure all our partners and future clients before the terminal comes into service,” said Olivier De Noray, Ports and Terminals Managing Director.

These tests come a month before the launch of operations at the new container terminal at the Port of Abidjan. This second terminal holds a central place in the subregional trade; it incorporates all environmental aspects into its design and is soon to obtain the “Green Terminal” label issued by Bureau Veritas.

About Côte d'Ivoire Terminal

Following an international call for tenders, the Bolloré Ports and APM Terminals consortium was awarded the contract to build and manage the second container terminal at the Port of Abidjan. Thanks to an investment of more than 262 billion CFA francs, construction work on the future terminal will be completed at the end of 2022. With an area of 37.5 hectares, it will be equipped to handle more than 1.5 million TEU containers per year and will accommodate vessels with draughts of up to 16 metres along 1,100 metres of quays. The project will also generate 450 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. It will contribute to skills development and to training for Ivorian young people in port operations. www.bollore-transport-logistics.com