Congo, Republic of the
2.1.1 Republic of the Congo Port of Pointe Noire
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Port Overview

The Port of Pointe Noire is the only sea port of the Republic of the Congo. It is an important gateway to Brazzaville and it plays an important role of transhipment port for the port of Matadi, Luanda, Cabinda, and Soyo. Its construction started on July 11, 1934 and the official inauguration was on 1 April 1939.

The port has 2135 m of quay in the commercial zone, and 726 m of quay in the logistics oil zone. It also has specialized platforms, warehouses, specialized facilities. The container terminal is managed by the Company Bollore transport via Congo Terminal and logistics and has extension of 31 hectares for stocking space on Quai G. Facilities are complemented by the following storage spaces: a cement silo, a wheat silo, a wine cellar, hydrocarbon storage tanks and derived products and vegetable oil storage tanks.

The main operators in the Container Terminal besides Bollore who manages the terminal are Socotrans (for general deliveries and the strengthening of the depot area), Urbanisme et Commerce (UC) for concerns on the site security, the cleaning and sealing of the containers, Sat for the transport of the bulk cargoes, and CFCO for the transport of the goods via railway.

The port is currently non-congested and traffic is regular. The average queue time to access is from 0 to 24 hours.

Pointe Noire port is as of today one of the deep-water ports in West Africa with a draft up to 16m and can accommodate larger vessels up to 337 meters of length and capacity of 16000 - 18000 TEU’s. Entry and exit accesses are through a basin with an area of 84ha which opens into a 280 m wide bay. The Port is divided into three areas:

  • The first zone is reserved for customs goods whose free stay is limited to 11 days for national transit, and 30 days for international transit;
  • The second zone is a storage area with no time limit;
  • The third zone is reserved for oil and industrial activity, as well as for port extensions.

The embankment represents a total area of 126 ha, including 66 ha at the commercial Port and 60 ha in the industrial area. The commercial Port also has a dedicated area for the processing of container traffic, logs and Eucalyptus logs. There is an ongoing project financed by AFD (70 million Euros) for the construction of a cereal berth of 250 m with a draft of 12 m. This project includes the construction of a fishing port.

Port website: http://www.papn-cg.org/fr/accueil/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Location and Contact

Country

Republic of the Congo

Province or District

Kouilou

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port

Pointe Noire (0 km)

Port's Complete Name

Port Autonome De Pointe Noire

Latitude

-4.78666667

Longitude

11.83000000

Managing Company or Port Authority

Port Autonome De Pointe Noire (PAPN)

Management Contact Person

Alain Koua Ngoulhoud
+242055374970

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures

Agostinho Neto International Airport (IATA PNR, ICAO: FCPP)

Air France, SAA, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc      

Port Picture



Description and Contacts of Key Companies

2135 m of quay, depths up around 16 m. Warehouses and sheds of the port provide areas of operation than 15 ha. The platforms fit out represent a total area of 126 ha. The container terminal represents a total area of 32 ha. Several public and private companies operate within the port include:

The Congolese shipping Company SOCOTRAM, the timber handler SOCOMAB, the Integrated Logistics Services Company INTEL, the transit companies (SOCOTRANS & SOCOTRANA) and CMA CGM Port Operations (Container terminal); Congo Container Congo - DARON Ship chandler, CMS NOMECO Congo Inc (Port Authority ), Hydro Data-Congo ( Port Operator ), Manu Congo (Port Agent), Urbanisme et Commerce (U.C): for the site security the cleaning and sealing of the containers. SAT: for the transport of the bulk cargoes and CFCO: for the transport of the goods via railway.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

More than 1 million TEUs were handled in 2021. In the current configuration, Pointe Noire port authority may simultaneously welcome in commercial transactions 15 vessels at public harbour, 3 vessels of 130 m at the onshore base, 3 tankers at oil sites of Djeno, Nkossa and Yombo.

Pointe Noire Port is accessible day and night, 24/7, and has handled more than 1 million TEU handled on the 31st of December 2021. Its basin of 84 ha opens on the bay by a harbour channel of 180 m wide extended by a feeding Channel of 1500 m dragged at 16m. The night marking is ensured and the piloting and towage are compulsory and ensured 24hours a day. The piloting is compulsory for any vessel having a gross tonnage equal or higher than 100 tons. Two pilots are compulsory for vessels with length equal or superior to 160meters. l Also the towage is compulsory for any vessels having a gross tonnage equal to or higher than 2000 MT.  The vessels provisioning is ensured and stevedoring, handling, consignment and transit activities are granted to private companies.

The traffic of the port of Pointe Noire is handled on two sites: The oil handling terminals and the public harbor.

Seasonal Constraints


Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

Yes

From May to September

Major Import Campaigns

N/A

N/A

Other Comments

N/A

Handling Figures for 2021

Vessel Calls

705

Container Traffic (TEUs)

1,003,734

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2021

Bulk (MT)

N/A

Break bulk (MT)

N/A

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: www.congo-terminal.net

Contact : Sandrine Wamy +242057750001

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length (m)

Maximum Draft (m)

Comments

Conventional Berth

7

750

9


Container Berth

2

1500

16


Silo Berth

7

750



Berthing Tugs

3

200



Water Barges

1

200




The feeder berth is planned to have a 13 m draught by the end of 2022 (currently 11 m draft).

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

D+ Mole (7)

Exports - Bagged Cargo

D+ Mole (7)

Imports and Exports - RoRo

D+ Mole (7)

Other Imports

D+ Mole (7)

Port Handling Equipment

The port of Pointe Noire is privately managed and its terminal is operated by Congo Terminal, which is a subsidiary company of Bolloré Logistics.

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

No

N/A N/A

Container Gantries

Yes

6 – 60 MT max capacities

2 more will be added by the end of 2022.

Mobile Cranes

Yes

Total of 4 (3 x 100 MT at 24 m) + 1 x 125 MT

Dedicated priority to containers on feeder Vessel, other operation under quotation and to be operated by Congo Terminal.

Reachstacker

Yes

9

Capacity to be confirmed.

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

Yes

4


Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

No

N/A N/A

Transtainer

Yes

41


Forklifts

Yes

11

1 x 33 MT, 1 x 32 MT, 2 x 12 MT, 2 x 7 MT, 2 x 4 MT, 3 x 2.5 MT

Container Facilities

The container facility of the Port of Pointe Noire has been extended since 2009, now the volumes and productivity are the following:

  • Processing capacity: 1 000 000 + Teus
  • Reduction of average time alongside the quay of the biggest ships of 3 days
  • Time reduction of port passage from 23 to 14 days
  • Port handling capabilities: 115,50 movements / hour
  • Waiting time: 0 day to 1 day


Facilities

20 ft & 40 ft

Comments

Container Facilities Available

20812


Container Freight Station (CFS)

500

1 external terminal dedicated for stuffing and un-stuffing ops

Refrigerated Container Stations

875

1767 TEU’s

Other Capacity Details

RO-RO Park

700 vehicles, capacity extendable if needed

Daily Take Off Capacity

200/300


Number of Reefer Stations
(Connection Points)

882


Emergency Take-off Capacity

N/A

N/A

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift

N/A

N/A

Customs Guidance

The recommended procedure for customs clearance in general terms as follows:

Once all merchandise documents are available they should be handed to a forwarding agent who will complete the application and hand it over to the customs authorities. The declaration is a legal document and wrong information might lead to penalties. The declaration will be registered with the customs authorities and classified either for a normal procedure or an urgent process depending on the nature of the cargo. Documents required:

  • Non-Commercial invoice
  • Donor Certificate & Certificate of Origin
  • Bill of Lading
  • Packing list & Shipment advice
  • Fumigation document
  • Quality Certificate & Import licence.

Guichet Unique des Opérations Transfrontaliéres (GUOT)

The implementation of the GUOT process has taken effect in November 2014. This process has seen the introduction of the T.I number to affect the validation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) for all cargo destined to Republic of the Congo. The process requires that for a shipper to obtain the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) in French “BESC”, the consignee(s)/ importer(s) and his “transitaire” (freight forwarder) at Pointe-Noire should be registered at the GUOT (Guichet unique des operations transfrontalieres) in Congo.

In the past, the consignees/ importers and their transitaires were applying for an importation request or authorization directly from the Commerce department to allow them to get the ECTN (Besc) at the port of loading. Now, this process becomes electronic via the GUOT system. The consignee/importer or his freight forwarder once registered in GUOT system can validate all commercial operation (importation) to obtain the T.I number. The T.I number is compulsory for the validation of the BESC (ECTN).

Shippers are supposed to notify their consignees/ importers in Congo to register with the GUOT to obtain a T.I number which shall appear on the ECTN each time they want to export cargo to Congo via Pointe Noire or other ports of entry. Heavy fines shall be imposed by the Congolese authorities in event the shipper/consignee fails to comply with these new procedures.

Procedure to get T.I Number for ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) validation

In application of circular n° 002/GUOT/DG of October 14th, 2014, it is compulsory for customers to use the electronic system of the Single Window Cross-Border Operations [GUOT – Guichet Unique des Operations Transfrontalières]. 

This system generates an identifier otherwise known as a TI number [Import Certificate number] once the receiver at destination has validated his importation declaration. This identifier is sent by the receiver to his shipper to permit him to make the boarding formalities. This identifier concerned only the shipper and the receiver; the carrier is not concerned that is why there is no obligation for the carrier to include this reference in transportation documents [Bill of Lading and manifest]. The TI number is a new requirement for Congo in addition of ECTN which remains compulsory.

  1.  The supplier/Shipper abroad or at Port of loading sends a commercial invoice to the consignee/importer in Congo;
  2.  With the commercial invoice, the consignee/importer in Congo or his freight forwarder registers and opens a file in the GUOT system to obtain the T.I number.
  3.  Once the consignee/importer in Congo acquires the T.I number he sends it to the supplier/Shipper abroad or at Port of loading.
  4.  With the T.I number, the entity acting on the supplier/Shipper’s instructions applies and validates the ECTN to be indicated on the BL.

The clearing processes takes around 10 days, so documents should be preferably presented to the forwarding agent least 5 days before ships arrival to avoid delays. There are at least 30 forwarding/clearing agents (transitaires) in the port and some of the main ones are: SDV Congo, GETMA/NECOTRANS, SOCOTRANS, TMC, AIS, SAT CONGO, TRANSIMEX CONGO S.A. The forwarding agent’s fees will depend on service level and type of cargo imported and are based on the port tariffs plus agency commissions.

The Republic of Congo is member of the WCO and a signatory of the revised Kyoto Convention and the Tampere Convention, all of which aims to facilitate the procedures for importation and communications in humanitarian emergencies. Duties and taxes exemption applies in principle to all humanitarian organizations, UN Agencies and INGOs that have an MoU with the Government, and for all types of merchandise imported by these organizations.

For more information on customs in Republic of the Congo, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. 

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

Quay D has a first line of 6 warehouses 20 meters from the quay with a total storage area of 15 543 m². A second row of 6 warehouses with a storage area of 10,774 m2 is situated 80 meters from the quay. The two rows of warehouses are separated by a road for circulation within the port. Behind quay D there is a cement silo covering an area of 4,150 m². Along the Mole quay there is an area of 20,000 m² for general cargo handling, and 6 warehouses with a total storage area of 16,000 m2. There are also two timber storage areas of 39,000 m2 and a eucalyptus wood storage area of 51,000 m2. Behind the quays there is a second handling zone of 32 hectares including 27 warehouses of totally 46,783 m2 and a cool room of 422 m2. Many of the warehouses, both at the quay and in the second zone, have rail access. Mineral oil deposit for 3,000 m3. RoRo facilities are available.

Grain and Bulk Handling

The capacity of cereal silos is 15,000 MT; surface 11,672 m2. There is no capacity for bagging of grain. The milling company MINOCO is located behind Quay G and they have 18 silos of a surface of 11,672Sqm and a total grain storage capacity of 15,000 MT. MINOCO has its own capacity of bagging flour in the milling facility. There is no possibility of direct bagging from ship discharge.

Main Storage Terminal

The total surface of the warehouses and hangars in the port offer a total surface of 15 hectares. The storage space for forest products is 38,987 m2. The total parking space for vehicles is 13,767 m2.  The silos dedicated to cereals have a surface of 11,672 m2 and a capacity of 12,000 MT. Concrete silos surface of 4,150 m2 and capacity of 12,000 MT. Oil stocking facilities 50,000 m3. Liquid gas stoking capacities 585 MT. Four premises with a total surface of 536,762 m2 are dedicated to the oil logistics.


Storage Type

Number of Storage Facilities

Area (m2)

Bagged Cargo

6 warehouses minimum

15,543

Refrigerated Cargo

1 cool room minimum

422

General Cargo

6 warehouses minimum

16,000

Stevedoring

The Government and several private companies as stated in other sections of this document (4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List) are handling the stevedoring in the Port of Pointe Noire. ETA for Vessel must be confirmed 24 hours prior to arrival to allow the organisation of manpower deployment. The Port of Pointe – Noire is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year.

Hinterland Information

Items are moved out of the port mainly by trucks, and rail depending on the type of commodity. Most of the goods are moved out in containers. While Oil and oil derivates are usually moved out by train until the Loutete station and then transferred to tank trucks. The main company for rail transport is the state owned CFCO while for transportation by route the main ones are BOLLORE Logistics via Congo Terminal, S.A.T. (Societe Africaine de Transport), GETMA/NECOTRANS, SOCOTRANS, TMC, AIS, SAT CONGO, TRANSIMEX CONGO S.A etc…

Port Security

Security checks with customs officers are installed at every gate and has been reinforced these past ( years. The security level increases in the container terminal where the ISPS level is rated 2.

The firefighting services at the port are granted by the private company SERVTEC.

Security

ISPS Compliant

Yes

Current ISPS Level
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)

Container terminal: 2
Rest of the port: 1

Police Boats

Yes

Fire Engines

Yes

 

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