The Port Company of Annaba
The Port of Annaba plays a very important role in international trade thanks to its strategic location and excellent geographical position. Today, it is Algeria’s leading port for non-hydrocarbon exports and ranks fifth in container traffic
Today, the Port of Annaba is known as both an industrial and commercial port. The modernization of its superstructures, the development of its infrastructure, the use of efficient handling equipment and technologies in line with advances in maritime technology, along with modern management tools, have made the Port of Annaba one of the leading ports in Algeria
HISTORICAL: EVOLUTION OF THE COMPANY’S LEGAL STATUS
Over the last three decades, the company has experienced three different types of legal regime and organization:
- Before November 2, 1982:
Operation of the structures that make up the current activity in port units attached to the national parent structures. These include:
National Ports Office (O.N.P):
This office was tasked with centralizing and coordinating the activities of port units regarding the management, operation, and development of the public port domain, but without direct involvement in purely commercial activities such as stevedoring, handling, and towing.
The role of the O.N.P aligned more with a public service mission symbolized by the port authority than a direct commercial role extended to all service activities.
However, the handling by certain units, including the Annaba port unit, of direct service activities such as operation of the grain silo, the slipway, open storage areas, and warehouses, actually falls under the O.N.P legal regime.
National Handling Company (SO.NA.MA):
As its name indicates, it ensured, through its units present in all ports, the main function of handling.
Towing Branch of the National Navigation Company (CNAN):
It carried out towing activities under the authority of its related monopoly: maritime navigation.
- From November 2, 1982 to February 29, 1989:
There was a consolidation of port activities within a single Public Enterprise of a commercial and industrial nature enjoying financial autonomy.
This form of organization (which at the time went against the general trend of restructuring national companies with a monopoly into smaller Public Enterprises) aimed to provide Algerian ports with a strong structure capable of ensuring unified command and better coping with the general congestion that characterized port transit at the time.
- From February 29, 1989:
The company, while maintaining its application as Annaba Port Enterprise - E.P.An for short, emerged under law no. 88-01 of January 12, 1988 and subsequent laws as a Public Economic Enterprise, a joint-stock company, endowed with civil liability and financial autonomy.
PRESENTATION OF THE ANNABA PORT COMPANY
The Annaba Port Company, abbreviated E.P.AN, was transformed into an Economic Port Company, joint-stock company (EPE-SPA) since February 15, 1988. Currently, the company’s share capital has been reduced to 3,000,000,000 DZD, fully owned by the Port Services Group, abbreviated 'SERPORT'.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET OF ANNABA PORT:
The Port of Annaba covers a total area of 130 hectares, including 24,750 m² of covered storage space and 3,680 linear meters of quays, divided among 22 commercial berths.
The Port of Annaba consists of three basins and a single access channel, with an outer harbor of 45 ha, a large dock of 40 ha, and a small dock of 9 ha.
The docking structures consist of several quays described in the following table:
- Table: Characteristics of Berthing Posts:
| Names of quays | No. of berthing posts | Basins | Depths (m) | Lengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quay No.01 | 07 to 12 | Large Dock | -11,00 | 890 m |
| Cigogne mole (Stork Pier) | Tug Berth | Small Dock | -6,50 to -7,50 | 304 m |
| Quay No.02 | 03 and 04 | Small Dock | -11,00 | 348 m |
| Quay No.03 | 01 and 02 | Small Dock | -10,50 | 239 m |
| Quay No.04 | 19 to 22 | Small Dock | -09,50 to -10,50 | 585 m |
| Quay No.05 | 13 to 18 | Large Dock | -12,50 to -14,00 | 1314 m |
It should be noted that during the 2014 fiscal year, the Port of Annaba underwent a general dredging operation, restoring the access channel, basins, and berths to their nominal depths
The increase in draft, allowing the reception of larger ships, will undoubtedly be a decisive advantage for the Port of Annaba and will help increase its competitiveness in a highly competitive environment
The Port of Annaba operates in partnership with the Port of Skikda and the Intermodal Goods Transport Company (STIM), a platform located approximately 4 km from the port facilities
Besides the advantage of proximity, which greatly facilitates the transport, delivery, and evacuation of containers between the two sites by road, the site also benefits from possible rail service thanks to the existing railway line
- Geographical Location
The Port of Annaba is located at 07° 47’ 03’’ East longitude and 36° 54’ 11’ North latitude at the far east of the country. It is 600 km west of Algiers, 300 km east of Tunis, and 800 km south of the Hassi Messaoud oil area. Its hinterland covers a densely populated economic zone, both industrial and commercial, with over 9.5 million inhabitants across 17 provinces
Known as one of the safest in North Africa, the Annaba harbor offers excellent protection and suitable anchorage depths, sheltered from all northern and northwestern storms, this natural port protection allows safe operation regardless of the season