Chad - 2.1 Chad Port Assessment
Seaports
Chad has no seaports within its territory. There is a heavy reliance on the seaport infrastructure of neighboring countries for the shipment of goods. Specifically, Chad relies on seaports that operate in Cameroon, Sudan, and Togo.
Cameroon
Most goods that are imported into Chad come through the Cameroonian corridor. Although data on the actual value of goods imported through Cameroon are limited, some estimates suggest that 80% of Chadian imports (worth roughly 2.19 billion USD in 2021) come through Cameroon before reaching their destination in Chad. In Cameroon, there are two primary deep seaports: Douala-Bonaberi Port (“Douala Port”) and Kribi Port.
|
Douala-Bonaberi Port For detailed information on Douala Port, click the link here.
|
Douala Port
|
Distance from Chadian Border: Approximately 790 Kilometers (Douala Port to Koutéré)
|
Transit Time: Approximately 7 days for a loaded truck and 2-3 days for a private vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kribi Port For detailed information on Kribi Port, click the link here.
|
Kribi Port
|
Distance from Chadian Border: Approximately 846 Kilometers (Douala Port to Koutéré) |
Transit Time: Approximately 7 days for a loaded truck and 2-3 days for a private vehicle |
Sudan - Port of Sudan
Goods in transit to Chad sometimes pass through the Sudanese corridor via El Geneina. The Port of Sudan is approximately 2,250 Kilometers East of the Chadian border city of Adre. The 2023 armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan is currently limiting the overall functionality of the Port. For more information on the Port of Sudan click the link here.
Togo - Port of Lomé
In addition to shipments to Cameroon and Sudan, goods may also arrive to Chad via the West African corridor originating from Port of Lomé, Togo. Typically, goods arriving at Port of Lomé pass through Cotonou (Benin), Lagos and northeast Nigeria, and arrive to N’Djamena after multiple transshipments and customs stops. The distance from the port to N’Djamena is approximately 2,135 Kilometers and transit time is heavily dependent on customs processes and transshipments. Additional corridor options originating from Togo exist and are being explored as well. Although the Port of Lomé is an option, it is not very heavily utilized in comparison to the Port of Douala because of the associated transit costs and hard to estimate lead times. For more information on the Port of Lomé click the link here.
Libya
In total, there are 6 commercial seaports in Libya (4 in the west and 2 in the east). Although there is potential for shipments to reach Chad from Libyan ports, security concerns and territorial disputes have made this corridor virtually impossible. Two decades ago, a Libyan corridor was created by humanitarian organizations to ship supplies and food assistance to people in Northern Chad. The current route that exists (Benghazi, Libya to Abeche, Chad) takes approximately 5 days and is 2,035 Kilometers. Today, the Libyan corridor is not being used by humanitarian actors. However, there are private transporters who bring goods into Chad from Libya for purchase. For more information on Libya’s Seaports click the link here.
Dry ports
Chad has a single dry port that is located just 10 km south of Central N’Djamena. The Port of N’Gueli, also known as the Port of N’Djamena (TDNDJ), is run by the Chadian port authority and is open for operations daily. Port N’Gueli is of considerable importance to the Chadian economy acting as a regional market for all types of products and commodities like livestock, salt, dates, and grains. To find in-depth information on the Port of N’Gueli see 2.1.1 Chadian Port of N’Gueli.
Chad - 2.1.1 Chad Dry Port of N'Gueli
Port Overview
Chad’s only port in operation, the Port of N’Gueli is a dry port located at the border between Chad and Cameroon. N’Gueli Port serves as the primary entry point for goods into Chad as it is located less than 15 km away from Chad’s economic center and capital, N’Djamena. The port is primarily operated by Société de Manutention du Tchad (SMT), based on an agreement with the Chadian government. Despite Chad’s dependence on the port, N’Gueli Port has limited infrastructure and truck capacity. In the future, the Chadian government and SMT (a subsidiary of the MSC group after its acquisition from Bollore Africa Logistics) have plans to expand the port and increase its capacity. However, no concrete goals have been established.
|
Port Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Chad |
|
Province or District |
Chari Bagumi |
|
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
N’Djamena 13 km |
|
Port's Complete Name |
Dry Port of N’Gueli |
|
Latitude |
N 12.07047 |
|
Longitude |
E 15.057078 |
|
Managing Company or Port Authority
|
Société de Manutention du Tchad (SMT) |
|
Management Contact Person |
Ahmat Abdoulhak (Director of Operations) |
|
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Ndjamena Hassan Djamous Airport
Air France, ASKY Airlines, Cameroon Airlines, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Sudan Airlines and Tchadia Airlines (operations are down as of 2022), and Turkish Airlines. |
Port Picture
1. The Green arrow identifies the warehouse
2. The red arrow identifies the main handling station
3. The dark blue arrow identifies the operations building
4. The light blue arrows identify the main truck parking area
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
The Port of N’Gueli is operated by Société de Manutention du Tchad (SMT), a subsidiary of MSC group. At the directive of the Ministry of Finance, the Chadian government and SMT have a signed agreement which designates SMT as the primary authority overseeing the daily operations of the dry port. Chadian government bodies, including Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture, conduct routine checks within the facility. The entire port is insured by SMT.
For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.3 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List
Port Performance
The Dry Port of N’Gueli remains active year-round. On average, the port processes 20,000 shipping containers per year. At times, the port can become severely congested as there is only parking capacity for 250 trucks. Waiting times are dependent on the nature of the cargo being shipped, volume of transporters, and whether transporters have all the necessary documentation needed to complete the process. Put plainly, waiting time can range from 1-2 hours to 2-3 days. During the rainy season, N’Gueli Port can function effectively unless there is severe flooding. In 2022, floods crippled activity within the port and led to slowdowns and limited parking capacity.
Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
Handling charges at the Port of N’Gueli are based primarily on the VAT charges administered by Chadian customs. To find information about VAT charges see Section 1.3 Customs Information.
Port Handling Equipment
|
Equipment |
Available
|
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Forklifts |
Yes |
1: 45-ton capacity 1: 3-ton capacity |
In decent working condition. Forklifts are well maintained as they are used daily. |
Container Facilities
At N’Gueli Port, containers are stored in an open parking lot with little coverage from the elements.
Customs Guidance
Chad’s Customs Agency (Douane) works in collaboration with SMT to facilitate operations within the port. Douane works in collaboration with a private security company to maintain the structural integrity of the port and to direct transporters where they are supposed to go during the customs process. Customs officers are generally friendly and speak Arabic and French. English speakers are limited.
For more information on customs in Chad please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information
Terminal Information
MAIN STORAGE
Storage Facility at N’Gueli
At N’Gueli, there is one warehouse available for storage. The facility is well kept and equipped with ventilation, 2 garage doors, security cameras, cement flooring, and smoke detectors. Patrons of N’Gueli Port, however, rarely use the warehouse. As of December 2022, N’Gueli warehouse remains empty and available for rent.
|
Storage Type |
Number of Storage Facilities |
Area (m2) |
Storage Capacity (mt) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bagged Cargo |
1 |
1,500 |
1,500 |
Port Security
The Port is guarded by both private security and customs personnel. There are multiple security checkpoints throughout the port which permit unwanted entry. In 2015, security cameras and a cargo scanner were installed on the premises. In the truck parking area, security guards remain on watch and ensure that business runs smoothly.