Praslin gets modern cargo terminal |22 June 2015

Praslin has a modern cargo terminal and it was officially opened on Saturday by President James Michel in the presence of Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joël Morgan.
The terminal has cost approximately R98.5 million and is a direct investment of the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) on behalf of the government of Seychelles.

The terminal came about after many years of in-depth consultations between boat operators of Praslin and La Digue and the government, aimed at providing efficient and reliable port services and facilities at competitive rates to drive the economic growth of the country.

President Michel was the guest of honour and he unveiled the commemorative plaque.
It was Mr Michel himself who laid the foundation stone in August 2010 to start the project which has been realised by the SPA.
Also present were ministers Mitcy Larue, Michael Benstrong and Jean-Paul Adam and other dignitaries.

The terminal facilities consist of a 180m long cargo jetty which can berth five vessels alongside, plus a 40m landing ramp to serve two landing craft vessels at any one time to unload cargo through their front doors or for roll-on roll-off of cargo. The SPA foresees it becoming a popular and efficient mode of cargo transportation in the near future.

“This facility is but one of the components of a comprehensive master ports development plan which the Seychelles Ports Authority is actively engaging its resources for the Praslin and La Digue communities. The next phase of development will focus on a new passenger terminal building and jetty which will cater for the requirements of inter-island passenger movement and enhance the inner island experience for visitors,” said Minister Morgan.

He remarked that the project is already in its final stage of preparation and construction is expected to start next year.

Giving more details on the terminal, the minister said the warehousing facility consists of eight units, each with a surface area of 96m². Cargo boat operators will be able to unload their cargo directly inside the warehouse, and store them until customers make collection. Cargo boat owners and customers alike will now have the peace of mind that their cargo is safe and secure.

The cargo terminal also has an open storage yard for cargo containers as well as bulk storage for building materials in transit. This will decrease the turnaround time of cargo vessels.

“As a maritime nation it is important that Seychelles keeps up with the modernisation of its port facilities development on all our three main islands. And this project affirms SPA’s commitment of progressively investing to improve such facilities,” added Mr Morgan while requesting for the full cooperation of all users of this facility.

SPA chief executive, Colonel Andre Ciseau, said the Eve Island cargo terminal is a new chapter in the maritime and passenger transportation history between the islands of Seychelles.
“With the new rapid development in the passenger and cargo transportation, a decision was taken to separate the two activities. We have realised that new and bigger passenger boats, landing crafts, bigger cargo ships, small and big cargo containers movements are increasing between the Seychelles islands,” said Mr Ciseau.

He said a rainwater harvesting system is in place for the embellishment of the site and for cleanliness. The terminal compartments have already been allocated to Praslin boat owners and offices have been recommended through a tender procedure for companies doing business on Praslin.

Mr Ciseau said the SPA is planning other facilities nearby to allow more people to enter this business activity.
In a vote of thanks, Alvin Grandcourt, a cargo boat operator on Praslin, said the cargo port that was being used has become too small. And after consultations between government and the private sector, a new cargo terminal has opened on Praslin.

He thanked the government of Seychelles and requested his business partners to use the facilities well.
After unveiling the plaque, President Michel together with Minister Morgan, Mr Ciseau and other ministers and officials toured the facility.