Rizhao Port Group wins Boffa Port project
China’s Rizhao Port Group has been selected by Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) as the operator of the Boffa Port project in Guinea.
The Boffa Port, which is being developed as part of the Boffa bauxite project, has a designed capacity of handling 12m tons of bauxite each year. The port will commence operations in December this year.
Chalco entered into an agreement with the government of Guinea in June last year to develop the Boffa bauxite project in the west of the country. The company was granted mining licenses for 15 years, renewable by 15 years on expiry.
Chinese state-run shipping giant Cosco secured a long-term shipping contract with Chalco for the transportation of bauxite from Guinea to China, and has ordered a total of sixteen 210,000dwt newcastlemax bulkers at domestic yards for the project and is likely to order more.
Last year, Rizhao Port also set up a 50/50 joint venture with Cosco Shipping Logitics to integrate all logistics businesses at the port.