The shipping platform

Location: Owendo i) lies on the SW side of Pointe Owendo, 6 miles SE of the S end of Libreville. General overview: The port handles a variety of general cargoes, including containers and exports bulk magnesium. A manganese ore pier, with a dolphin berth at the head, extends 0.5 mile SSW from the shore, close NW of the main cargo terminals. It has a depth of 11.5m alongside and can handle vessels up to 40,000 dwt and 11m draft, depending upon the tide. Caution is necessary as a wreck, with a depth of 6.9m, lies about 0.3 mile WNW of the berth. The main cargo terminals include two quays. The W quay, which is situated on the SW side of Pointe Owendo and is the first encountered on the approach after the manganese ore pier, is 455m long. It provides three berths, with depths of 10m alongside. Dolphins extend 150m from the W end of this quay and form additional, fourth berth.The second quay is situated on the easternmost side of the terminal. It consists of two faces, with alongside depths of 13m and 14m, respectively, and an adjoining turning circle and basin, dredged to 12m. Traffic figures: Approx 700 vessels and 5,160,400t of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: Tropical. Max size: General Berth: Draught 9.5m. Bulk Berth: Draught 11.5m, 40,000DWT.