CARENA, a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL) and SOFIA, has announced the acquisition of a 12,000-tonne floating dock to boost its ship repair operations in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Scheduled for delivery in October 2025, the facility represents an investment of 12.5 billion FCFA and marks a major step in CARENA’s long-term development strategy.
The new floating dock, measuring 144 meters long and 48 meters wide, will enable the company to accommodate larger vessels and expand its service offering to shipowners along the Atlantic coast of Africa. Once operational, CARENA will manage three floating docks with lifting capacities of 2,000 tonnes, 10,000 tonnes, and 12,000 tonnes, significantly improving its ability to handle multiple vessels at the same time.
Meeting technical needs
“With this state-of-the-art equipment, CARENA is strengthening its ability to meet the technical requirements of shipowners across the African Atlantic coast,” said Jean-François Arhant, Managing Director of CARENA. “The possibility of handling several vessels simultaneously positions us as a player capable of delivering fast, reliable, and competitive solutions.”
Currently in its final stages of preparation before deployment in Abidjan, the dock is undergoing anti-corrosion treatment, crane modernization, structural branding, and rigorous inspections to meet international quality and safety standards. These upgrades are designed to ensure the dock’s full operational readiness on arrival.
Beyond reinforcing operational capacity, the investment reflects CARENA’s confidence in the future of Côte d’Ivoire’s maritime industry, supported by rising port traffic and regional trade growth. It also emphasizes the company’s commitment to developing local expertise, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening Abidjan’s position as a hub for ship repair and maintenance in West Africa.
Through this acquisition, CARENA is consolidating its role as a strategic enabler of maritime development in the sub-region, contributing to the long-term growth of both the Ivorian economy and the wider African shipping industry.