Deep Water Port of Lomé

Already since 1960 Inros Lackner has been involved in the development of Africa’s first deep water port. The port was extended step-by-step and thus adapted to contemporary needs. In 1960 the port of Lomé was literally planned on a greenfield to become Africa’s first deep water port. The choice of location some eight kilometres away from the then small town of Lomé was unusually remote. Today this a big advantage, because the port offers areas for industrial settlement in contrast to other ports in Western Africa that have been built too close to growing cities. The port has been gradually extended since 1960 and is being adapted to contemporary requirements. 

First plans and opening-up / 1960-1968

• 1,720 m long breakwater to the west of the planned port  

• 400 m long groyne to the east in the area of the opposite mole, built later 

• Pier for loose cargo, 342 m long and 71 m wide, on pile foundation

• Various open storage areas and connection to the existing road network   

> The port was put into operation in 1968. 

First extension stage / 1972 - 1980

• Quay facilities 

• Six major storage halls for the export of cotton, coffee and cacao  

• Mole 1 and navy pier 

• Silo for 70,000 t Portland cement clinker 

Second extension stage / 1980 - 2000

• Mole 2 with finger pier and 2 ship berths 

• 150,000 m2 large container storage area 

• More storage halls and administration buildings 

2006 up to today / port development

• Rehabilitation measures 

• Masterplan 2006 for the extension into a container-hub-port for Western Africa 

• New port basin with a water depth of 18 m

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