In recent times, authorities at the Port of Buchanan have been beaming with excitement over the planned activities that seek to improve revenue generation at the Port of Buchanan.
These activities have root in ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Phase Two Expansion project, aimed at boosting operations and income generation and the creation of jobs for more Liberians.
AML’s Phase Two Expansion will result in further investment in the port of Buchanan, mainly through a new fixed ship loader that will have a loading capacity of 6—8,000 tonnes of iron ore per hour, and the construction of concentrator at the mine site in Yekepa which will produce iron ore pellets, enabling ArcelorMittal to increase its production capacity to 15 million tonnes per year.
As part of preparations, ArcelorMittal Liberia two weeks ago received a delegation of the technical and administrative staffs of the National Port Authority (NPA), headed by the Manager of the Port of Buchanan, Civicus Barsi-Giah, at its Phase Two operation sites in Buchanan.
The visit was meant to give the port authority an understanding of the company’s Phase Two operation and the role of the port, and to see some of the cargoes that would be shipped shortly, through the Port of Buchanan.
“Such partnership, especially when earnestly done, brings a lot of boosts and enthusiasm and helps the workers to have a great experience. The Port of Buchanan, through its commercial pier, is going to be a direct beneficiary of AML Phase Two expansion project, and we’re very, very happy to see that happening,” Port Manager, Barsi-Giah, said to a team of journalists.
With this new investment of AML, the Buchanan Port will see a major boost in income generation as ArcelorMittal Liberia’s new project advances.
In this month, September, ArcelorMittal Liberia has planned to kick-start huge shipment of logistics for the project, right through the Buchanan Port.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Head of Logistics and Material management for the project, Leslie Dodds, said the visit of the port’s delegation was cardinal for the partnership between both institutions.
“We have many vessels that we will use to bring cargoes to Liberia for the development of the Phase Two project, and carry cargoes that need to go to different parts of the world to be repaired and returned. So, the relationship with the Buchanan Port is strategically important to us,” Dodds said.
He continued, “So, we wanted them to understand what we are doing and it’s the first time they have come to visit us. We emphasized our culture of safety, and that we want to work as a team…not them and us. So, it’s a partnership.”
He said several vessels would be expected to dock at the Buchanan port to deliver materials for the project, following the first voyage in the middle of this month.
According to AML Phase Two project Logistics Manager, Amos Reeves, a vessel, named Breadbox, will ship more than 4,000 rails to Buchanan from Spain, and load for shipment to South Africa a consignment of logistics equipment for the project for repair and reshipment to Liberia.
Bolloré Logistics, the company contracted to facilitate AML’s logistics services, was also part of the tour.
The company’s shipping manager, Ernest Hallowanger, said the tour provided insight on how they would be required to handle the different cargoes.