Posted: February 23rd, 2024

Challenges Facing Gabon’s Ports and Harbors

Challenges Facing Gabon’s Ports and Harbors

Gabon, located on the west coast of Central Africa, relies heavily on its ports and harbors for trade and economic development. As a coastal country, Gabon’s economy is dependent on maritime transportation and logistics. However, Gabon’s ports face numerous challenges that hinder their efficiency and competitiveness. This essay analyzes the key issues confronting Gabon’s ports and provides recommendations to modernize port infrastructure and operations.

Background on Gabon’s Ports

Gabon has four major port facilities: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Mayumba, and Gamba (Elenga et al., 2016). Owendo Port, located near the capital Libreville, handles over 90% of Gabon’s international trade. Port-Gentil, situated along the Atlantic coast, primarily supports Gabon’s oil industry. Mayumba and Gamba ports, in the south, focus on timber exports. In total, Gabon’s ports handle approximately 11 million metric tons of cargo per year (Elenga et al., 2016). The ports sector contributes around 3-4% to Gabon’s GDP (African Development Bank, 2013).

Gabon’s ports were constructed during the colonial era and lack modern infrastructure and equipment. Most port facilities operate below capacity and suffer from congestion and delays. Maintenance dredging is inadequate, leading to heavy siltation. With the exceptions of Owendo and Port-Gentil, most ports lack direct land and rail connections. Gabon’s ports remain state-owned and managed, with limited private sector participation.

Inadequate Infrastructure

A fundamental challenge for Gabon’s ports is the poor state of infrastructure, including berths, storage facilities, and cargo handling equipment. Most port infrastructure was built between 1950 and 1970, with limited upgrades since (Pertro strategies, 2019). As a result, facilities are dilapidated and struggle to accommodate larger modern vessels. Ship productivity is low, with waiting times frequently exceeding 72 hours (African Development Bank, 2013). Outdated equipment like reach stackers and forklifts break down often, causing operational delays. Storage areas are insufficient, forcing imports to linger at the port. Improving port infrastructure through renovations and expansions is essential for Gabon to enhance productivity and stimulate trade.

Limited Connectivity and Intermodal Links

Gabon’s ports lack efficient connections to road and rail networks, which increases transport costs and transit times. Owendo Port has no direct railway access, forcing all cargo to be trucked to Libreville and beyond (Elenga et al., 2016). The Transgabonais Railway only links to Port-Gentil currently. The lack of rail connectivity prevents optimizing multimodal transport. Constructing dedicated rail spurs into Owendo and other ports would enable intermodal integration. Upgrading port access roads is also needed to smooth truck shipments. Developing logistics hubs near ports would consolidate freight flows. Overall, enhancing port connectivity through transport infrastructure modernization can significantly bolster Gabon’s trade competitiveness.

Inadequate Maintenance Dredging

Siltation is a major issue for Gabon’s ports, with sedimentation rates of up to 2 meters annually (Pertro strategies, 2019). Owendo Port requires constant dredging to maintain its 10-meter depth. Insufficient dredging results in lower drafts, forcing ships to lighten cargo to enter port. Light-loading increases shipping costs and congestion. Owners have reduced dredging to cut expenses, but this is a false economy. Intensified maintenance dredging is vital to allow efficient docking of modern Panamax and post-Panamax vessels. Gabon’s ports need better channel marking and surveying to target dredging efforts. Increased private sector participation could improve capital investment in essential dredging. Making dredging a priority will enable Gabon’s ports to fully utilize their depth potential.

High Port Charges and Inefficient Billing Processes

Gabon’s ports have notably high tariffs, which deter shipping lines from choosing its facilities. For example, handling fees in Libreville and Port-Gentil can reach $250 per TEU – nearly triple the rates in neighboring Cameroon (Pertro strategies, 2019). High wharfage, berthing, and steering charges also strain port users. In addition, Gabon’s port billing is opaque and involves extensive paperwork. Failure to pay charges on time leads to cargo seizures, even for verified customers. Modernizing port billing to be transparent and electronic will reduce costs and prevent revenue leakage. If Gabon can benchmark and regulate tariffs competitively, it will bolster the country’s hub appeal.

Poor Port Governance and Customs Administration

Institutional weakness poses additional hurdles for Gabon’s ports. Gabon Port Management (GPM), the state-owned port authority, suffers from bloated payrolls, overstaffing, and operational inefficiencies (African Development Bank, 2013). GPM lacks commercial orientation, investing minimally in port development. Customs clearance is extremely slow, taking 5-7 days on average and requiring numerous documents (Pertro strategies, 2019). Smuggling and corruption are ongoing issues. Pursuing governance reforms, such as establishing a Port Regulator, could improve accountability. Involving global terminal operators through public-private partnerships would instill private sector discipline. Digitalizing customs and training officers would speed up processes. Tackling corruption and red tape is imperative for Gabon’s ports to function proficiently.

Recommendations for Modernizing Gabon’s Ports

Invest in new port equipment like gantry cranes, reach stackers, and digital truck call-up systems to enhance cargo handling productivity.
Construct dedicated rail lines and deploy tracking technology to integrate ports with intermodal networks.
Prioritize maintenance dredging and utilize hydrographic surveys to target high sedimentation areas.
Lower port tariffs in line with competitive benchmarks to attract more shipping traffic.
Streamline customs clearance through electronic data interchange and single-window systems.
Pursue port concessions with international operators to improve management and infuse private capital.
Establish a Port Regulator to oversee the sector and ensure fair practices.
Provide training programs to improve skills of port workers and customs officers.
Conclusion

In summary, Gabon’s ports face infrastructural, institutional, and connectivity challenges that undermine their competitive position. Strategic investments in equipment, dredging, rail links, and governance reforms are needed to modernize Gabon’s maritime gateways. By addressing these issues, Gabon can optimize its strategic coastal location and utilize its ports to drive national economic development. With political will and sustained policy efforts, Gabon can transform its ports into world-class facilitators of regional and global trade.

References

African Development Bank. (2013). Gabon – Owendo Port Infrastructure Project Appraisal Report. https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/document/gabon-owendo-port-infrastructure-project-appraisal-report-33067

Elenga, M., Babalola, A., & Li, W. (2016). Developing Gabon Special Economic Zone and New Owendo Port to Foster Industrialization and Economic Diversification. World Bank Other Operational Studies. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/25202

Pertro strategies. (2019). Gabon Ports Report. http://pertroreports.com/gabon-ports-report/