The project, which costs around USD 2.5 billion will enable the port to handle 2.25m TEU, which would position it as the port with the largest capacity in West Africa. The Port Autonome d’Abidjan, the country’s largest port, recorded a traffic increase of 7% in 2013, which is a provisional figure that does not include oil shipments. In 2012, it handled 21.7m tonnes, a 31% rise from the 16.6m tonnes recorded in 2011. Container traffic also expanded 16% over the same period to 633,917 TEU. With the planned expansion these figures are expected to increase.
In December 2013, the Ivorian authorities and Bolloré Africa Logistics signed a public-private partnership deal, paving the way for the construction of a second container terminal.
According to the government, investment in the container terminal will amount to around USD 825 million. The new terminal will have a 1,100m long and 18m deep dock. Work is expected to be completed within four years.