Mauritania - National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM)

The present intervention relates to the dredging project of the mineral port channel of the National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM). It will allow vessels with capacities of up to 250,000 T to access the new loading dock. The project consists of widening and deepening the current access fairway to the Nouadhibou Ore Port. 25-km long, the port comprises several sections: (i) a turning circle enabling vessels to manoeuvre and turn after loading, depth -17.5 m; (ii) an interior fairway in a sheltered site, depth -17.5 to -18.0 m; (iii) the passage from Cap Blanc between Cap Blanc and the Banc du Lévrier (exposed to strong tidal currents), depth -18.0 to - 20 m; (iv) a "Zone 1" exterior fairway poorly protected by sand banks south of Cap Blanc, depth - 18 to -20 m; (v) a "Zone 2" exterior fairway channel that is highly exposed to offshore waves, depth - 20 to -22 m. The project will enable SNIM to improve its competitiveness by increasing its vessel reception capacity while reducing its transport costs. This will result in a significant increase in competitiveness with positive effects on the country's trade balance and its, foreign exchange reserves.