Antwerp to invest in world’s main chocolate port
Antwerp’s Port Authority has announced a €1.9 million investment in the San Petro port in Ivory Coast, the world’s largest shipper of cocoa beans
‘Major potential’
San Pedro (pictured) moves more cocoa beans than any other port in the world. It also aims to profile itself as a “logistics hotspot” for fertiliser and cashew nuts, which requires the construction of a logistics centre. Port of Antwerp International, the port’s consultancy and investment subsidiary, has signed an agreement to fund 35% of the €5.5 million cost.
The two ports have had a mutual promotion arrangement since 2011, which saw San Pedro’s traffic increase to 4.9 million tonnes, as well as the development of a master plan and logistic zones. Antwerp will now provide technical expertise for the extension of the port, while its training division will provide two scholarships a year for San Pedro employees to come to Antwerp for advanced training.
Meanwhile Ghent-based group SEA-invest, which is already active in Abidjan, will create the logistic platform.
“This is the first concrete investment by the port of Antwerp in West Africa,” said Antwerp CEO Eddy Bruyninckx, who is part of the trade mission. “This commitment emphasises our belief in the potential of this port, with its a location and connection with the hinterland of Liberia, Guinea and Mali offering an enormous advantage for Antwerp.”
Photo courtesy port of Antwerp
