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From: Tsegai Emmanuel (emmanuelt40@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Nov 16 2010 - 22:20:27 EST
Eritrean ports begin to climb
30 May 2010
Eritrea has a long and strategically placed coastline, but its ports have
suffered
Eritrea has launched a drive to revamp its ports of Massawa and Assab. These
ports have been left languishing after the rupture of relations with
Ethiopia cut Eritrea out of the picture and Ethiopian cargo moved to
neighbouring Djibouti.
The Ports Rehabilitation Project (PRP) is designed to substantially increase
the productivity and capacity of both Massawa and Assab ports. Already,
there seems to be signs of improvement as the combined number of ships rose
by 22% last year: 273 ships called at the port of Massawa with cargo
amounting to around 550,000 tonnes.
The project comprises civil works for Massawa, such as repairs,
rehabilitation, and extension of berths. There has also been a recent
renovation of the fuel jetty landing in Hirgigo costing USD$160,000 and a
new jetty is expected to start operations in 2011 with an outlay of over
USD$33m.
Further, cargo handling equipment is to be purchased for both Massawa and
Assab, while facilities will be dedicated to improve the operating practices
at the two ports.
The State of Eritrea received credit from the International Development
Association (IDA) and a grant from the European Union toward the cost of the
Eritrean Ports Rehabilitation Project.
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