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Seychelles' main harbour to get upgrade
The European Investment Bank, the European Union, and the Seychelles Ports Authority have entererd into an agreement to finance the rehabilitation and expansion of the commercial part of the Port Victoria harbour. The French development agency (AFD) also signed a memorandum pledging a loan in support of the project.
© byvalet via 123RF
The project entails the detailed design and construction of a new quay, offset from the existing quay, and demolition as necessary of the existing quay.
The port’s yard area will be extended and dredging works will be carried out, allowing larger vessels into the harbour and increasing overall port capacity. The interventions will mean an increase in the port’s safety and environmental performance in the handling of goods, and overall improvement of the efficiency of port operations.
EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle commented: “The European Union is by far the largest trading partner for the Seychelles, making it all the more important for the EU to support this project. Through it, the local port authority will be able to ensure the secure and environmentally sound handling of goods, while the port’s capacity will also be enlarged.”
The EU Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Marjaana Sall, indicated that: ''This project, as well as the €10m programme that will be signed in support of the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement, are part of EU support for Seychelles' ambitious integration agendas. Those projects will help boost investment in the Seychelles, ensure that its exports are competitive, and facilitate access to the global market, thereby contributing to sustainable growth. Those projects will also have a positive social impact and create new job opportunities."
The French Ambassador to the Seychelles, H.E. Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, added: “This upgraded facility will generate new opportunities for regional cooperation. La Réunion, Mayotte and the Département des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, all European territories neighbouring the Seychelles, expect to develop regional routes in close collaboration with the Seychelles.
"Cruise tourism is one example where this modernised infrastructure could generate mutual benefits for all the regional stakeholders, supported by the Association des Ports des Îles de l’Océan Indien (APIOI). After financing significant investments in the ports of Mauritius and La Réunion, AFD is proud to be part of this 'European Alliance' to fund a key piece of infrastructure in the Seychelles,” said Majesté-Larrouy
The Chairman of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Paul Hodoul, said: “The new Port Victoria will be the catalyst for greater efficiency, smoother flow of port activities, and more mass transportation which can contribute to a lower unit cost of transporting containers. This is expected to help bring down the cost of living in our country.”
Source: European Investment Bank (EIB) via APO
