Above: Aerial view of the TIPSP’s new 270m quay under construction.
A new multi-purpose industrial terminal is currently under construction in the Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), with Phase I set to complete by the end of this year.
The TIPSP (Terminal Industriel Polyvalent de San Pedro) is a strategic partnership between ARISE P&L, S. Energies and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The project is an integral part of the extension of the Port Autonome de San Pedro that began in May 2019. The construction work is moving ahead at a steady pace and will be completed in 2021. “Close to 600 direct jobs have already been created during this construction phase. Once in operation, the port will employ 120 people and create many more indirect jobs in and around San Pedro.”
While this article will focus on its cement handling capabilities, the TIPSP will handle a wide variety of solid and liquid bulk cargoes (including hydrocarbons).
“Our approach to working in Africa is all about value creation and long-term impact. Investing in trade-enabling infrastructure that unlocks potential is one of the best ways to do that.”
Andrew Dawes, CEO of Arise Ports & Logistics
Cement: clinker, gypsum and limestone
The Port Autonome de San Pedro has two major cement factories in the vicinity of the new terminal. Today, the cement factories receive their raw materials in bulk vessels which can only berth at a floating pontoon. Cargo is then unloaded using ship cranes into hoppers and from there on conveyor belts either to the factory or to another hopper for truck delivery to the cement factory warehouse.
This system is suboptimal as the available draught at the pontoon is only 10 to 11m, which limits the amount of cargo the ships can carry (approximately 42,000 tonnes). The equipment used for the discharge of the cargo (ships’ cranes) and delivery of the cargo (low-capacity conveyor belt and/or truck) impose relatively longer vessel port stay. Ultimately, these limitations translate into a higher transportation cost for the cement operators.
Draught optimized
The new terminal of TIPSP will offer a dramatically increased draught of 15m. This, combined with the new quay of 270m, will allow the cement factories to receive Panamax vessels carrying 50% to 100% more cargo in a single voyage.
Equipped for speed and efficiency
The terminal will also be equipped with two powerful Liebherr 550 mobile harbour cranes. These will unload onto quay-length conveyor belts that will transport the cargoes directly to the port’s distribution tower. The two cement factories will then connect their own conveyor belts to the terminal distribution tower for direct delivery into their warehouses for greater efficiency and environmental sustainability.
All these factors combine to ensure an efficient, safe and reliable system that can triple the current productivity. TIPSP will offer a minimum discharge rate of 11,500 tonnes per day and is designed and equipped to deliver higher productivity based on the customer´s own needs and ability to receive cargo. With this new conventional terminal, customers will experience a considerably shorter turnaround time of their vessels at the terminal, no congestion/waiting at anchorage and a deeper draught while contributing to environmental sustainability.
Construction work on Phase I of the TIPSP is well under way, and is expected to complete by the end of this year.
Equipment summary:
* two Liebherr 550 mobile harbour cranes for import/export;
* two mobile offloading hoppers for import;
* two transfer towers for import;
* three excavators for import/export;
* one reversible conveyor belt; and
* 4,000tph (tonnes per hour) rail-mounted shiploader (in Phase II).
Storage yard:
* four wheel loaders;
* four excavators;
* dump trucks for on-site transport to and from the berth;
* 4,000tph rail-mounted bucketwheel reclaimer; and
* 1km of connection conveyors (Phase II).
“The launch of the new multipurpose industrial terminal represents a tremendous game changer for San Pedro. The country is already a vital commercial hub for West Africa and will be increasingly so with the inauguration of a modern and efficient terminal that acts as a new gateway for cargo moving across the country and across the borders of the wider northern and western regions.”
Vincent Flamant, Director General, Industrial Multipurpose Terminal in San Pedro
Phase II
Considering the vast potential of the region, TIPSP has already planned for a second phase of development, which will add a second quay of 250m and extra equipment including a 4,000tph reclaimer and shiploader.
International reach
While the vast majority of cementitious products that will be discharged at the TIPSP will be for the local cement factories, the terminal will also help transform the Port of San Pedro into an attractive cargo gateway for the neighbouring countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Liberia.
Beyond just cement
With 600,000 to 650,000 tonnes of cement products imported per year in San Pedro, cement products are important to the Port Autonome de San Pedro — representing currently 15 to 20% of cargoes handled. But the Port of San Pedro is also known as the preferred gateway for other commodities moving in bulk or containers.
The western part of the Côte d’Ivoire is indeed also well known for its mining and agricultural industries producing large quantities of metals and minerals (nickel, manganese, bauxite, iron ore, lithium…) and as well as cocoa (Ivory Coast is the largest producer of cocoa beans in the world), coffee, cashew nuts, rubber, timber, palm oil all contributing to the export volumes of the port of San Pedro, be it in containers or in bulk.
The New Owendo International Port, a facility operated by Arise Ports & Logistics in Gabon.
General infrastructure
The construction of TIPSP is a fantastic development for the Port of San Pedro. But it does not stop there as the Port of San Pedro is also about to embark into the expansion of its container terminal operated by MSC for which the entrance channel and turning basin will be dredged to 18m so as to receive the largest container vessels in the world and turn San Pedro into an attractive transshipment solution for shipping industry.
Expert investors and regional benefits
ARISE Ports & Logistics operates as a developer of industrial ecosystems where it designs, creates, finances and develops interconnected infrastructure, enabling superior logistics solutions for its partners. ARISE started in Gabon, where it operated terminals — both conventional and container — as well as roads and airports.
As a result of its rapid growth, ARISE has been re-organized into three verticals with distinct operational missions. ARISE Ports & Logistics capitalizes on the interconnection of its assets to deliver a superior level of service.
ARISE has chosen its investors wisely. The AFC (Africa Finance Corporation), Olam and A. P. Møller all have great operational expertise in the ports and terminals sector. Each investor has job creation at the heart of its mission, and this remains a focus throughout all activities.
In every African country ARISE works in, its investment in cutting-edge infrastructure supports the growth of local economies, creates jobs and transfers valuable skills and knowledge to the national workforce.
With its political stability, its strong economic performance, and its strategic geographic location, Côte d’Ivoire is a vital commercial hub in the region. The launch of the new multipurpose industrial terminal represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the nation as well as for international and national operators. With its modern and efficient equipment, the terminal promises competitive advantages to its customers and a tremendous impact on industrial activity in the wider region.