Bollore Ports, PowerChina win deep-sea port contract in Nigeria

Nov 30, 2018: The recently formed consortium by Bollore Ports and PowerChina International Group Ltd has won an international tender to build and operate the future deep-sea port at Akwa Ibom in Nigeria. Their main task will be to develop and operate the port over a period of 50 years, alongside the Nigeria Ports Authority, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Akwa Ibom State. The Ibom Deep Sea Port (IDSP) will develop the country's existing port capacity and open a new shipping gateway with direct access to Nigeria's East and North-Eastern regions. The project funding will be shared with both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Akwa Ibom State.

The works include dredging a channel over 20 km long and 18 metres deep, erecting a breakwater of 1,100 metres and building over 2,500 metres of quay and the dedicated handling equipment for all types of activity: containers, general cargo and bulk. With a draught of 16 metres, the new port will be able to receive large-capacity vessels (Post Panamax and New Panamax) and handle over 2.24 million TEU/year in the long term.

As leader of the consortium, Bollore Ports will operate all container activities for the new port. Drawing upon its expertise in port concessions and experience of the African continent, Bollore Ports will deliver competitive solutions meeting the highest standards of quality. PowerChina, an international benchmark company specialised in energy and infrastructure will conduct the works required for the port infrastructure.

"We are proud to have been chosen by the Nigerian authorities and the Akwa Ibom State to build the future IDSP port. This green field project is a game-changer that will reinforce the port system of Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy and most densely populated country. Besides, it will directly serve the East and North-Eastern regions, as well as several hinterland countries," said Philippe Labonne, CEO of Bollore Ports.