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MSC and San Pedro Port have signed a 35-year concession agreement for the expansion of the San Pedro Container Terminal (TCSP) in Côte d’Ivoire.

With a total initial investment of near CFA 300 billion (US$516 million), this ambitious project will allow the Port to handle 14’000 TEUs cargo vessels and benefit from new shipping technologies, facilitating transhipment operations and generating vast opportunities to foster development. The Port of San Pedro will become one of the most competitive transhipment hub of the region, the sub-regions as well as of the West African coast.

After the initial phase, where the existing infrastructure will be developed and expanded by San Pedro Port, MSC’s investment, of the expected amount of around CFA130 billion (US$224 million), will be allocated to provide the superstructure and ultra-modern equipment, including latest IT technologies.

The primary engine for the San Pedro Region, and indeed for Bas-Sassandra more generally, is the port, which serves as the country’s second-largest port and the main export facility for Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa production. The port is currently composed of a 5-ha container terminal, a 5-ha multipurpose terminal and three specialized terminals, including a palm oil tank terminal with a 20,000-tonne storage capacity, a cereals terminal with a 11,000-tonne capacity as well as a cement terminal with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes.

The concession agreement is signed just weeks after MSC celebrated its 15th anniversary in Côte d’Ivoire. Throughout this time, MSC has invested in container activities, including in San Pedro, and in inland transportation via its subsidiary MEDLOG, which has become a key player in the country. 

MSC has been investing in Africa since 1970, and today the Group is present in over 40 countries across the African Continent, employing over 8’000 people and operating 50 weekly services connecting Africa to the rest of the world. 

Mr Diego Aponte, MSC President & CEO, said:

“The signing of this agreement today will further strengthen the strong links between MSC and the government of Côte d’Ivoire. It also confirms our long-term engagement to contribute to national efforts in supporting the country’s growing position on the international scene.”

“Our structural investment and operations will allow San Pedro to become a state-of-the-art terminal, increase trade relationship with new and traditional business partners as well as enhance its competitiveness at both the national and global levels. We are also extremely proud to generate inclusive growth through job creation and vocational training, as the Terminal is expected to employ hundreds of people directly and a larger number of people indirectly.”