The Necotrans group and the Kribi Port Multi Operators (KPMO) consortium, consisting of nine local operators (forwarders, maintenance and maritime agents) have been awarded the partnership contract for the operation and maintenance of the multipurpose terminal at the deep-water port at Kribi in Cameroon.

Located 150km south of Douala, the new port at Kribi has a draught of 17 metres. The multipurpose terminal conceded by the government of Cameroon will initially have a quay measuring 265m (with two berths) equipped with two cranes on rails and six truck-mounted cranes.

Precise terms of the contract remain to be discussed, with estimates pointing towards a concession of 20 years, investment of €26.2 million and license fees paid to the State of Cameroon by Necotrans/KPMO.

“We are particularly proud to have joined our colleagues from Cameroon in a win-win partnership, and to have gained the trust of the authorities in the country. Kribi is the only deep-water port in Central Africa, and as such is destined to become the economic driving force of Cameroon and the sub-region, especially Chad and Central Africa”, explained Grégory Quérel, Chairman and CEO of Necotrans.

After a first phase of five years with an activity estimated at 1.4 million tons of freight per year from the second year, the second phase of 15 years foresees the provision of an adjacent quay measuring 350m and complementary facilities and equipment for an activity that will surpass three million tons per year.

“Our investment will enable us to increase the pace of handling and the storage zones so that Kribi can be as competitive as possible, complementing the port of Douala”, added Quérel.

The multipurpose terminal at Kribi will provide work for over 250 people. The main goods handled will be vehicles, wood, cotton, mineral ore and oil and gas equipment, together with the materials used for the construction of the industrial zone and the future power plant that will be right next to the Kribi port.