Government Moves to Address Cement Shortage as Port Access Challenges Persist

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of The Gambia has announced a series of urgent measures to address the ongoing cement shortage in the country, following operational constraints at the Port of Banjul that have slowed vessel access and offloading.

According to an official statement, the current situation stems from reduced draft depth along the port’s access channel, which has prevented larger vessels carrying raw materials, including cement, from berthing. Several ships with cement are reportedly anchored in deeper waters but unable to dock due to the draft limitations. The Ministry clarified that the issue is purely infrastructural and unrelated to government policy on cement importation.

Responding to the crisis, the Gambia Ports Authority has committed to fast-tracking dredging works to restore normal vessel access. The Authority has assured that all available operational capacity will be used to complete the dredging in the shortest time possible. This is expected to ease congestion and stabilize the inflow of essential commodities.

To prevent future disruptions, the government has also initiated a procurement process to hire a qualified company for long-term dredging and maintenance of the access channel. This is expected to ensure sufficient depth for safe berthing of large vessels year-round.

As an interim solution, particularly to safeguard major public and private construction projects, the government has introduced a temporary arrangement allowing contractors executing significant works to directly import cement through existing SIC holders in the cement industry. These companies will require clearance from the Ministry of Trade before proceeding.

The Ministry reassured the public that over 115,000 metric tonnes of cement currently at high seas will be able to access the port in the coming days as dredging progresses. Officials say all necessary steps are being taken to stabilize the national cement supply during this period.

Once normal port operations resume, the flow of cement is expected to return to regular levels, ensuring supply stability and supporting both domestic industry and economic activities across the country.