Maritime Transport: Avima Iron Chooses the Port of Kribi
Maritime Transport: Avima Iron Chooses the Port of Kribi
A Strategic Partnership for the Export of Congolese Iron Ore
On June 8, 2020, the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK) and Avima Iron Ore Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), formalizing their partnership for the reception, storage, and loading of iron ore extracted from Avima’s mining sites in the Republic of Congo, for export through Kribi’s deep-water port.
A Promising Agreement
Under this partnership, both parties commit to carrying out economic, commercial, technical, financial, and legal feasibility studies to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of iron ore to international markets.
This agreement marks a first of its kind for the Port Authority of Kribi since it began operations in March 2018, and represents a decisive milestone in the development of its mineral export operations.
A World-Class Deposit
The Avima Iron Ore project is based on a high-grade iron ore deposit, estimated at around 700 million tonnes of direct shipping ore (DSO). Recognized as a world-class mining project, it is expected to play a central role in the development of the so-called “Iron Ore Triangle” in West Africa.
To support this initiative, Avima Iron Ore also plans to build a road link between the town of Avima (Congo) and the Port of Kribi, thereby strengthening regional connectivity.
Why Kribi?
The project had initially been proposed in Gabon, with possible shipment through Port-Gentil or Owendo. However, the technical and logistical limitations of Gabonese port infrastructure prevented the project from materializing. As a result, Kribi, with its advanced technology, handling capacity, and regional ambitions, has emerged as the ideal platform.
Scaling Up PAK’s Capacity
According to projections, the development of a mineral handling facility at PAK could raise the port’s export capacity to over 100 million tonnes per year, in addition to the projects linked to Cameroon’s Mbalam iron ore deposit.
For the Director General of PAK, Patrice Melom, this agreement demonstrates the port of Kribi’s ambition to become a leading logistics and mining hub in Central and West Africa.
