Contributed Articles
The Renovation of the Port of Massawa
By Khaled Mohammedberhan
May 12, 2008, 12:24pm

The port of Massawa was one of the most developed ports in East Africa. Especially at the Italian colonial period, the port had well-developed road and rail transportation systems and advanced technology. But, this did not last long, after the coming of the British colonial administration. Many cranes were sold, railways destroyed and the whole infrastructure ruined. The worst however, came during the Ethiopian colonial period. The port was only serving the Ethiopian army with no maintenance. Especially in 1990, the Ethiopian army deliberately bombarded the port.

When the port fell under control of the government of Eritrea in 1991, it was a paralyzed port that could give almost no service. Some reconstruction efforts at that time however enabled the port to give some basic services. But these reconstruction works were too small when compared to the extent of destruction the port had suffered. It was in 1997 that an extensive renovation plan was launched. The government of Eritrea allocated $ 60 million for the reconstruction of the port and multiple reconstruction works were undertaken. By this reconstruction, the ruined infrastructure was totally reconstructed, the harbors of the port were widened and reinforced with concrete pillars that enabled them to harbor heavier ships and endure the heavy trucks and cranes that work on it. Also, by this reconstruction effort, 24-hour electricity service and water supply was made available. Another successful accomplishment is the re-building of railways that go inside the port. This would give another transportation option especially for bulk commodities that are transported in and out side the country. Beyond its transportation services however, the rail way is expected to enhance the already booming tourism industry.

Another technology boost of the port is the computerization and information technology system that has been introduced at the port. No more searching containers in the big stores, through this networking system, customers can now easily identify their containers, because which container is placed in what place is registered in computers and the costumer needs to know only the number of his container.

The port is located in a peninsula, and it is connected to the main land via two causeways. One is the Sigalet causeway and the second is the Bab-Ashera causeway. The one-kilometer Sigalet cause way connects the port with Edaga, and the 600-meter Bab-Ashera causewayconnects it with Tiwalet. These causeways were built during the Italian colonial period to host trucks weighing not more than 35 tons and they were very narrow. But at this time they are reinforced by concrete pillars and can support more than 70-ton trucks. And they are twice widened than they were before.

The port of Massawa gives service to almost any kind of commodity except petroleum, cement and other minerals. These special commodities are served in separate small ports. But these small ports are very old and cannot give the necessary service. Therefore, another two ports for petroleum and other minerals are due to be constructed. Especially at this time, when Eritrea is getting prepared to launch its first gold exports, the construction of mineral port is being accelerated. And more than $ 25 million has been for the construction of petroleum port. The design work of this port is now finished.
The port of Massawa is officially part of the free trade zone. And all the activities of the trade zone are to be served by the port. According to the manager of the port engineer, Afwerki Tesfasion, the renovated infrastructure and technological advancement of the port can serve the preliminary stage of trade zone. But when the free trade zone starts fully, the port would not be enough. There fore another big port would be built to serve only the free trade zone.

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