Abidjan Port adds two tugboats to strengthen vessel services as container traffic doubles

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Two new tugboats have joined the Autonomous Port of Abidjan’s fleet, strengthening its operational capabilities, particularly in marine services. The vessels will be operated by the Société Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage (IRES), a Boluda Towage subsidiary.

For logistics operators and fresh produce exporters, improved vessel maneuvering means faster berthing times and reduced waiting times for ships carrying perishable goods.

Why Tugboats Matter for Cargo Efficiency

“Their commissioning will optimize berthing operations and vessel assistance across the port, while significantly reducing risks linked to maneuvering,” port management said. “They will also improve maritime traffic flow and strengthen the port’s competitiveness on Africa’s Atlantic coast.”

The acquisition forms part of a broader investment programme to support growth in cargo volumes amid intensifying competition among West African ports. Like Lomé, Tema, Cotonou, and Dakar, Abidjan has recently upgraded its infrastructure, including a second container terminal and a mineral terminal.

Since the second container terminal came into service, container volumes have doubled, rising from 840,926 TEUs in 2022 to 1.6 million TEUs. In the general cargo segment, Abidjan leads the region, with traffic reaching 46.6 million metric tons in 2025.

Impact on Agricultural Exports and Landlocked Neighbours

Rising traffic is also putting additional pressure on logistics as Ivory Coast seeks to expand exports of agricultural commodities and bulk minerals. Much of the cargo also originates from landlocked neighbouring countries, including Mali, a lithium exporter.

For fresh produce supply chains, Abidjan is a critical gateway for Ivorian cocoa, coffee, bananas, and palm oil, as well as for transit goods destined for Mali and Burkina Faso.

Industry Perspective

For logistics investors, Abidjan’s infrastructure upgrades, including the acquisition of tugboats, a second container terminal, and a mineral terminal, position the port as a competitive alternative to Lomé and Tema.

The doubling of container volumes to 1.6 million TEUs demonstrates the port’s capacity to handle growing trade flows. As West African ports compete for transit cargo from landlocked Sahel nations, Abidjan’s improved vessel services and berthing efficiency offer a reliability advantage for shipping lines and freight forwarders. The port’s leadership in general cargo, at 46.6 million metric tons, further solidifies its regional standing.

For food traders, these efficiencies translate into more predictable shipping schedules and reduced spoilage risk for time-sensitive agricultural exports.

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