The Autonomous Port of Abidjan and the Union of Consignors and Shipowners of Côte d'Ivoire (UCACI) held a working session on June 17, 2026, in Abidjan, devoted to the operation of the port platform and the coordination of maritime activities. This meeting, chaired by the Director General of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, Kassoum Traoré, with the delegation led by Franck-Hervé Gbalou, is part of the permanent dialogue between the port authority and the actors in the logistics chain. The discussions focused on the operating conditions of port activities and the concerns expressed by consignees and shipowners. These operators intervene at essential levels of maritime transport, in particular the management of ship calls, administrative formalities and the coordination of goods flows. Their role contributes directly to the overall performance of the port platform. The Autonomous Port of Abidjan occupies a central position in the Ivorian economy. According to data from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget, approximately 75% of the country's foreign trade passes through its facilities. It also constitutes a transit platform for several landlocked countries in the sub-region, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which strengthens its role in regional logistics chains.

Cooperation focused on the fluidity of port operations

The discussions on June 17 highlighted the issues related to the fluidity of operations and coordination between the different stakeholders. UCACI representatives discussed several aspects related to the exercise of their activities, in particular the organization of calls, ship processing times and the simplification of operational procedures. This consultation takes place in a context of increasing port traffic. In 2025, the Autonomous Port of Abidjan recorded an overall volume of 46.6 million tonnes of goods, compared to around 40 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 16.1%. This development increases operational pressure on all players in the supply chain. The development of the port is also based on structural investments estimated at more than 1,000 billion CFA francs since 2012. This financing has enabled the modernization of infrastructure, in particular the extension of the container terminal and the improvement of ship reception capacities. The exchanges between the PAA and the UCACI are also a continuation of the meetings initiated since Director General Kassoum Traoré took office on May 4, 2026. This approach is based on a regular consultation framework with stakeholders in the Port Community, in order to identify shared solutions to operational challenges.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the dialogue around operating conditions and the improvement of port services, in an environment marked by the intensification of trade in West Africa.