The American P&I Club informs that the Abidjan port authorities have issued to all agents advising that any vessel calling in Abidjan with stowaways to disembark will be subject to an XOF 2 million (approx. €3,000.00) fine, per stowaway.
The fine will be imposed on the ship regardless of where the stowaways may have boarded. Furthermore, due to an increase in the number of stowaways found onboard vessels arriving from the neighboring port of Tema (Ghana), this circular also provides that, in order to be allowed to berth in Abidjan, any ship incoming from Tema will first have to remit an official “Search Certificate” to be issued by the Port of Tema authorities.
The above regulations are due to come into effect as of May 1, 2016. Attached is the translated circular for operators’ reference.
Further details may be found in the circular below.
Source:The American P&I Club
