Yesterday’s ground-breaking ceremony marked the next phase of a port improvement project that will drive economic growth for Ziguinchor, the main economic city in southern Senegal’s Casamance region.
The ceremony marked the start of construction for a new fishing port within the overall Ziguinchor port area.
According to an official announcement, this is the second phase of a major rehabilitation project, within which Royal HaskoningDHV is supporting the client, ANAM (Agence National des Affaires Maritimes), in designing and supervising the works.
Roger Degla, Project Leader at Royal HaskoningDHV , said: “There are four components to the project, and we are playing an important consultancy role at each stage. The initial phase was to dredge the river to allow larger ships to reach the port. The second stage, as marked by the ceremony, will create a dedicated fishing quay besides the Port of Ziguinchor.
“Next will come a full upgrade of the port area and its equipment, which will be followed by ongoing support to port operations through a port management landlord approach.”
A team of Royal HaskoningDHV experts is now responsible for project management and carrying out supporting technical studies and designs.
Shallow river and outdated infrastructure
The city of Ziguinchor is situated 65 kilometers from the West Africa coast along the Casamance river.
Shallow river depth and outdated infrastructure were limiting the port’s performance.
A project funded by the Government of Senegal and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is strengthening the port’s position and supporting regional economic growth.
Royal HaskoningDHV has been involved in the project since 2012 – right from project identification. The company carried out feasibility analyses, environmental and social impact assessment and supported reaching financial close.