San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire
San Pedro is Côte d'Ivoire’s main cocoa export port and the country’s second-largest economic hub.
Port Overview
San Pedro is located on the southwestern coast of Côte d'Ivoire, along the Gulf of Guinea. It is the country’s second largest port after Abidjan and serves as a strategic gateway for exports, especially cocoa, timber, and minerals, as well as a key transit point for landlocked neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso. The port handles over 49,000 TEUs annually, with ongoing expansion projects aiming to increase its container capacity to 1.5 million TEUs. Its deep-water access and modern facilities enhance its importance in regional and international trade.
Facilities & Infrastructure
San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire’s second-largest port, features multipurpose terminals for containers, general cargo, and bulk commodities. Key facilities include four berths, a cereals berth, and a container freight station with 145 reefer connections. Equipment includes four mobile cranes, six reach stackers, nine forklifts, and conveyors. The port also has bonded warehouses, cold storage, and an underground pipeline network for palm oil. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not currently in operation.
Container Terminals
San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire’s container terminal features five berths and a total berth length of approximately 1,200 meters. The terminal’s annual container capacity is around 250,000 TEU, with advanced automation including automated operating systems and modern container scanning equipment. Major operators include Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which holds a long-term concession, and Bolloré Ports. The facility is equipped with gantry cranes and supports efficient transhipment and cargo handling.
Port Services
- Container handling: Modern container terminal operations, including loading, unloading, and storage of containers.
- Cargo operations: General cargo, bulk, and breakbulk cargo handling with stevedoring and longshore services.
- Ship services: Pilotage, towage, limited ship repairs, bunkering (fuel and water supply), and husbandry services.
- Warehousing: Storage facilities for various cargo types, including bonded and transit warehousing.
- Customs: On-site customs clearance and inspection for import, export, and transit cargo.
Global Connectivity
San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire, is a major West African port with direct Atlantic access, serving as a key export gateway for cocoa, coffee, timber, and minerals. It connects to regional ports and markets in Mali, Guinea, Liberia, and Niger, supported by paved transit corridors. Major shipping lines, including MSC, link San Pedro to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, making it a strategic hub for both regional transshipment and international trade.
Port Statistics
San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire handled approximately 7 million tonnes of cargo in 2023, with container throughput estimated at around 400,000 TEU annually. The port features 6 main berths and covers an area of about 105 hectares. It ranks outside the world’s top 100 container ports but is a key regional hub. Major shipping lines include MSC, CMA CGM, and Maersk, with recent investments expanding capacity for vessels up to 14,000 TEU.
