Chinese Government provides RMB 290 million interest-free loan for Phase 2 of the Autonomous Port of Nouakchott Expansion Project (Linked to Record ID#36188)

Project narrative

According to the Government of Mauritania’s Development Assistance Database (DAD), the Chinese Government and the Government of Mauritania signed an RMB 120 million interest-free loan for Phase 2 of the Autonomous Port of Nouakchott Expansion Project. The proceeds of this loan were drawn from an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) that was signed by the two governments in 2012. The total cost of the Phase 2 of the Autonomous Port of Nouakchott Expansion Project was RMB 290 million, and the Chinese Government reportedly covered the remainder of the project cost (RMB 170 million) with one or more additional interest-free loans. Phase 2 involved the dredging of Berth No. 1, Berth No. 2, and Berth No. 3 at the Autonomous Port of Nouakchott. It also involved construction of a 257 meter protective dike and counter-silting activities to address silting problems on the north side of the port. Upon completion, it was envisaged that the port’s capacity would increase from three million to six million tons per year. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which is known locally as la Société nationale chinoise des travaux de ponts et chaussées (SNCTPC), was the contractor responsible for implementation. The project was originally expected to be undertaken between October 2, 2014 and August 2016. However its actual start date was November 30, 2014 and its actual completion date was April 30, 2016. Other relevant project milestones included a formal groundbreaking ceremony on November 27, 2014 and mid-term project acceptance by the funder (China’s Ministry of Commerce) on November 2, 2015. The Chinese Government also funded Phase 1 of this project through an RMB 2 billion government concessional loan from China Eximbank (see Record ID#36188).