Under the distinguished patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal (NSBT) on Thursday June 9, 2022, turned the sod, marking the commencement of its Berth Extension Project at the Sierra Leone Port in Cline Town, Freetown.
The move is part of steps being taken to meet international standards of the terminal in every operational aspect.
NSBT has invested significantly in equipment and infrastructure in Sierra Leoneโs primary multi-user bulk and break-bulk port.
Guest of Honour at the event, First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio started off by thanking NSBT for being one of the biggest supporters of the Hands Off Our Girls campaign.
She said the expansion project when completed will enhance the countryโs economic development with more bulk cargos berthing in the dock. This, she said, will also help create more jobs for locals.
According to the First Lady, the extension project, falls under the types of projects that His Excellency the President is always happy to support. She therefore saluted the management of NSBT for embarking on such enviable development.
The General Manager of NSBT, Jim Page said the project, which will greatly improve the capacity for Sierra Leoneโs imports and exports, is a key development for Sierra Leone, noting that it will attract larger vessels and reduce dwell time, which will lessen the overall cost of end-to-end supply for the country.
The GM disclosed that the project includes the design and construction of a new deep-water jetty with a new berth including the refurbishment of the existing berth to enable a larger class of vessel size (up to Panamax size) to call at Freetown.
He said Nectar Group currently have a 21 year + 7 year option concession with the Government of Sierra Leone and has been operating in the Port since Sep 2015.
He said when completed, the project will enhance ease of shipment, competitiveness, viability and profitability of the Port facilities and attract greater international traffic.
Nectar Group Director, Guy Wilkes said the new berth will provide additional capacity to handle more volumes as the trade grows and that the backfilled area will provide additional cargo handling and storage area.
The new berth, he went on, will further provide 190 m berthing space (Max LOA for vessel 225m) and 13m draft and will now allow NSBT to continue providing bulk and break bulk discharge and loading, weighbridge services; long or short term storage facilities; quayside bagging facilities; integrated digital Terminal Management System and consolidated Cargo Management.
Strategic Communications Division
Office of The First Lady
Info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
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