President launches work on new Praslin cargo quay |07 August 2010

The project, worth US $2.1 million, is being funded by the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), with coordinated support from Praslin residents and the government.

Once the new jetty is finished, it will take cargo traffic away from the Baie Ste Anne jetty, reducing congestion there.

Mr Michel had the honour of driving in the first pile – one of 36 that will form the foundation of the new quay – in the presence of Home Affairs, Environment and Transport Minister Joel Morgan.

Also present were Investment, Natural Resources and Industry Minister Peter Sinon, the SPA’s chief executive Lieutenant Colonel Andre Ciseau and chairman Captain Guy Adam, as well as the members of the National Assembly for Baie Ste Anne and Grand Anse Praslin, Mitcy Larue and Marc Volcere.

Mr Michel said: “The modern cargo jetty will continue to usher Praslin into its modern phase of development, with better facilities which will enable increased trade and commerce to Praslin.

“The project shows foresight and is going in the right direction in modernising the Praslin economy.”

The President said the people of Praslin have given their input to the development of the Eve Island plan, and the new cargo jetty will meet their demand for growth and progress in the services the island is able to offer.

“The amount of development that Praslin is experiencing cannot be met by the current jetty, which is inadequate for the large volume of traffic coming to Praslin,” he said.

“This investment in cargo transport facilities will make sure the people of Praslin can achieve the aspirations they have for the future.”

When Mr Morgan addressed the audience, including Vijay Construction managing director Vijay Patel – whose firm is carrying out the work – students from the Maritime Training Centre and other guests, he said the project is expected to be completed in 14 months.

The jetty will be 100 metres long and consist of reinforced concrete deck slabs and beams on steel tubular piles for vessels to berth and unload cargo.

He said there will also be a 40m by 30m reinforced concrete landing ramp to serve two landing craft at any one time. They will be able to unload cargo through their front doors, including roll-on-roll-off cargo, which the SPA sees as becoming a popular and efficient method in the near future.

The facilities at the new cargo quay will also include a designated area for container storage, reception facilities for waste from neighbouring islands, and bunkering and water supply services for the yacht and cruise ship industries.

“As a maritime nation, it is vital that Seychelles keeps abreast of developments, and this project confirms the SPA’s commitment to move ahead,” said Mr Morgan.

He added that the project will be the third major investment the SPA has made since it was set up six years ago.

It has also invested in the passenger terminal on La Digue, which was opened in 2006, and the addition of two new pilot launches to Port Victoria’s fleet in 2008.

The new jetty will again show how the SPA is on track with its mission to provide efficient and reliable port services, at competitive rates, to drive the economic growth of the country, Mr Morgan said.

Lt Col Ciseau said the government has allocated valuable seafront plots for maritime industrial development.

“Soon the SPA will invest in other maritime-related projects as we progress to the next phase of our development,” he added.

He also said they are about to review the harbour dues regulations, which will allow them to collect enough funds to maintain existing infrastructure and carry on with future projects.

The Eve Island project will have five phases of development – the jetty itself, fencing, landing ramp, quay wall and cargo shed.

In the final phase, the SPA plans to convert the existing Baie Ste Anne jetty into a modern waterfront facility to include a leisure marina.

When the project is finished, the SPA plans to enlarge the basin at the La Digue jetty to allow more yachts to anchor there, Lt Col Ciseau said.

During the ceremony Mr Michel was able to inspect the plan of the cargo jetty with all the facilities that will be made available there.