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Ghana Invests in FPSO

Following the discovery of crude oil in the western region, the Ghanaian government ordered a Floating, Storage, Processing and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to be built at an estimated cost of $875 million.

...more... | 23 Aug 2010 - 11:26:18

Uneasy Calm in Conakry

Following our news bulletin earlier this week, the Guinean government has now announced that the general election results will not be available before Friday, 2 July 2010.

...more... | 01 Jul 2010 - 16:42:38

Guinea Awaits General Election Results

Mr Fode Mario Camara of Budd Guinea, reports that the violent incidents which marked the days leading up to the general election appear to have come to an end.

...more... | 28 Jun 2010 - 18:25:21

Abidjan Port Investments on Track

At a recent press conference, the Port of Abidjan announced a qualitative leap in its ongoing modernization programme. Specialist quays, technological innovations and new logistics solutions are among the investments planned for the next three years.

...more... | 16 Feb 2010 - 17:48:11

Marseilles/Fos: Strike Called Off

Having announced strike action from 25/01/10 to 31/01/10, the Marseille/Fos dockworker's union, the CGT, has now announced that their action has been suspended pending the results of discussions with the Port's Management which are to take place this afternoon (25/01/10).

...more... | 25 Jan 2010 - 15:33:24

Work Stoppage in Conakry

Please note that following a Union announcement to which the Guinean Government appears to have tacitly agreed, all work stopped on Monday, 12 October and again today, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 to further mourn those who died in an opposition rally two weeks ago in Conakry.

...more... | 13 Oct 2009 - 12:02:33

The Port of Conakry Remains Open in the Aftermath of Riots

Despite the violent military repression against protest marchers in Guinea on 28 September 2009, and reports that around 90 civilians had been killed, Mr Fodé Mario Camara (Area Manager of Budd's Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau offices) informs us that the port of Conakry is still at work, as indeed are our local staff.

...more... | 30 Sep 2009 - 14:45:41

Dark Days in Guinea Bissau

In the small hours of yesterday morning (Monday, 2 March 2009), President Joao Bernardo Vierra of Guinea Bissau was shot and killed as he tried to flee from his home which was under attack from a group of Army officers.

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:27:20

Tempory Port Closure in Malabo

17 February 2009 Our colleages in Malabo have just alerted us to the fact that the port has been closed for the day following exchanges of gunfire between bands of outlaws, thought to be from nearby Nigeria or Cameroon, and Police/Military forces.

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:26:43

Calm returns to Guinea (Conakry)

Budd Conakry reports that the situation has considerably improved in Guinea since the memorial service for the deceased President Lansana Conté last Friday.

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:26:07

Coup d'Etat in Conakry

Following death of President Lansana Conté who had been ill for some considerable time, in the night of 21 December, the country of Guinea has been in the hands of the Army which is itself divided.

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:25:43

Port of Conakry Remains Open as Suburbs Riot

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:25:20

Port of Conakry Goes Back to Work

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:24:54

Terms of Reference for New Casablanca Port Operators Unclear

The Budd Group’s agent in Morocco would like to draw your attention to the recent statutory and operational changes promulgated by Law No 15-02 with the aim of liberalizing port activities in Casablanca.

...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:22:57

Illegal Disembarkation of Stowaways at Sea in the Cameroon

Douala's Harbour Master in charge of maritime immigration has just informed us that in an ever-increasing number of cases, ship's agents are taking it upon themselves to organise the disembarkation at sea of Cameroonian stowaways (or stowaways who embarked in the Cameroon) without following the official procedures.

...more... | 02 Jul 2009 - 16:47:43

Port of Malabo Expands

Budd Equatorial Guinea reports on the latest improvements in the port of Malabo.

...more... | 18 Feb 2009 - 12:22:21

Budd Awarded ISO Certification

We are very pleased to inform you that Budd’s Marseille HQ is now officially ISO 9001: 2000 certified.

...more... | 09 Dec 2008 - 14:50:43

Strike Closes Port in Conakry

In a context of ever-increasing fuel and food prices, the country of Guinea has been hit by a series of strikes by civil servants.

...more... | 23 Jul 2008 - 15:44:17

Lomé 2008

Budd’s Managers and Agents from France and a total of seventeen African countries (Tunisia, Senegal, Cap Verde, Guinea Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Niger, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon & Republic of Congo), were once again reunited at the Budd Group’s third internal seminar in Lomé recently.

...more... | 16 Jun 2008 - 12:26:56

Some Improvement in Situation in Douala

We understand that due to a lull in the violence on the streets of Douala, people are once again venturing out onto the streets to buy basic essentials or go to work We have also received reports that activity in the port is resuming.

...more... | 05 Jun 2008 - 15:05:13

Riots Gain Cameroon’s Capital

Despite the end of the Douala taxi strike and the government’s promise of Wednesday evening to reduce petrol prices by approximately 0.01 Euros, the troubles which initially started in Douala over the weekend have now spread to the country’s capital, Yaoundé.

...more... | 05 Jun 2008 - 15:04:39

Full Speed Ahead in African Ports

An article recently published in the “Jeune Afrique” newspaper highlights the major modernisation and improvement programmes adopted recently by African ports in a bid to increase their share in maritime trade worldwide.

...more... | 28 Mar 2008 - 10:24:49

Fears for Africa as Prices Skyrocket

In a recent article, the magazine « Jeune Afrique » (i.e. «Young Africa »), warns of the serious difficulties facing Africa as a result of the escalating prices of basic essentials such as petrol, cooking oils, rice, flour, palm oil and soap.

...more... | 18 Mar 2008 - 10:37:27

Cameroon Calcuates its Losses Following Recent Troubles

As life returns to normal in Cameroon, the country is counting the financial and human costs of the wave of violence and destruction which spread through the country from 25-29 February 2008.

...more... | 14 Mar 2008 - 15:42:40

L’Angola coordonnera la zone côtière Centre-Sud d`Afrique

...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:39:28

Budd Venezuela Welcomes Japanese Lawyer

At the request of the Japan P&I Club, the latest addition to the Budd Group, Budd Venezuela, welcomed Mr Tetsuro Nakamura to our Caracas office on 23 October 2007.

...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:39:05

Sacking of Minister Causes Disturbances in Conakry

Following national television’s criticism of a speech published on internet supposedly emanating from President Lansana Conté, the Minister of Communication and New Technology, Mr Justin Morel Junior, has been relieved of his functions and replaced by the head of the Agence Guinnéenne de Presse, Mr Issa Condé.

...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:38:26

Warning to Vessels Calling in Dakar

A clamp down by Customs has resulted in a recrudescence in fines levied against vessels calling in Dakar in the last few weeks.

...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:37:29

Douala Taxi Strike Sparks off Rioting

When Douala’s taxi drivers went on strike over diesel price rises, young trouble makers seized the opportunity to take to the streets this weekend. In the ensuing riots, cars, shops and public buildings were attacked and/or torched.

...more... | 27 Feb 2008 - 15:13:59

Abidjan’s Port Authority Gains ISO 9001 Certification

Having been duly declared to conform to the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS Code) on 1 July 2004, the Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) recently obtained ISO 2001 certification from AFAQ-AFNOR, the international standards organisation.

...more... | 18 Feb 2008 - 15:34:14

The opportunity was too good to miss

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 10:05:49

State of Siege Brings Guinea to a Standstill

No end to the general strike declared on 10 January 2007 is in sight and Mr El Conde of Budd Conakry reports that commercial activity in the country of Guinea is now at a complete standstill.

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:58:49

General Strike affects Port of Conakry

Although the Port workers are not themselves on strike, we understand that the port's activities have been perturbed by a transport stoppage which has prevented many people from reaching their places of work and made the circulation of trucks difficult.

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:58:16

Corruption Allegations Cause General Strike in Guinea

For the third time in twelve months, Guinea is once again in the throes of a general strike which has resulted in the closure of most shops and offices and brought public transport to a standstill.

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:57:39

Dire Plight of Senegal's Boat People

Experts from over 50 European and African countries have just met in Dakar (Senegal) to discuss a common plan to fight clandestine immigration by simultaneously introducing stronger penalties and encouraging young Africans to stay in their own countries.

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:56:59

News Flash from Budd Vietnam

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:56:14

Guinea Goes Back to Work

The two month general strike in Guinea finally came to an end at the end of February (2007) when the President agreed to lift the state of siege and appoint a new Prime Minister, Mr Lansana Kouyaté.

...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:55:32

Elections in Benin

Record number of candidates vie for presidency

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:02:08

Call for General Strike in Guinea

Disruptions likely in the days to come.

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:01:01

Social Strife Worsens in Guinea

Angry Union announces tougher action.

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:00:32

Lull in Abidjan Riots

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:59:30

2 stowaways dead in Belgium

Brussels - Two illegal stowaways were found dead in the water on Wednesday in the Belgian port of Antwerp, after arriving by boat from Nigeria, prosecutors said.

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:58:59

Guinea: Curfew Shortened but Strike Still On

We understand that the special powers decreed by the Guinean government have now been relaxed slightly. In particular, the curfew now applies from 18:00 to 06:00 instead of most of the day and night as previously.

...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:58:29

Equatorial Guinea Port Rules Extended

In the last month, the rules and regulations in the Ports of Malabo and Bata first posted on our website in March 2007 have been modified. As indicated below, it is now forbidden to disembark stowaways in both ports. In addition to this, once vessels have arrived in port, they must comunícate with Port Control and Agents via radio channel 16. In Bata, a photo of each crew member requiring a shore pass must be provided.

...more... | 15 Oct 2007 - 10:42:51

L'industrie chinoise fait exploser les prix du transport maritime mondial

LONDRES (AFP) — Les frets maritimes pour le transport de marchandises sèches alignent les records depuis plusieurs semaines, la flotte mondiale ne suffisant pas à absorber un trafic qui a connu une forte expansion avec l'industrialisation chinoise.

...more... | 10 Sep 2007 - 10:09:10

Major Changes Ahead for Dakar Container Terminal

Budd Senegal reports on Dakar Port Authority's plans for the future.

...more... | 18 Jun 2007 - 14:28:17

Gabon's Ports

Port infrastructure and activities described by our local representative, Mr Andre Biyong.

...more... | 28 May 2007 - 16:26:29

Port Regulations in Malabo

In view of the heavy fines inflicted on some vessels in the port of Malabo recently, Budd’s Equatorial Guinea office has provided the following summary of the official rules and regulations:

...more... | 20 Mar 2007 - 16:25:00

The World's Most Expensive Towns are... in Africa

The French press has recently published a league table of the world's most expensive towns produced by ECA International. Contrary to common belief, it shows that the cost of living is often considerably higher in the poorer countries than it is in the wealthier ones.

...more... | 19 Mar 2007 - 16:28:02

International Seminar on Tanker Safety

A report from Danyun Wang in Shanghai

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:43:08

Dubious Dealings in Dakar

A warning to shipowners calling in Dakar.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:42

Cholera a Conakry

GUINEE CONAKRY : AU MOINS 85 DECES DUS AU CHOLERA ET PLUS DE 2400 CAS DEPUIS JUIN

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:23

Prix du cacao en Cote d'Ivoire

Cacao: prix d'achat aux producteurs fixé à 400 FCFA le kilo.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:06

Cholera Epidemic in Senegal

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:47

Customs Fines in Togo & Benin

Customs fines are imposed by Law on cargos discharged that do not comply with the manifest. Fines are imposed on both shortlanded and overlanded cargos.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:32

Security in the Port Autonome de Conakry

For quite some time now, the Port Autonome de Conakry has been holding weekly meetings with representatives of all those involved in port operations with a view to strengthening and/or creating a secure environment both for cargo operations and more generally. This includes maximizing efforts to drastically reduce stowaway incidents

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:08

New Budd Office in Tahiti

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:53

BUDD S.A. Joins the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris

We are pleased to inform that BUDD S.A. has been accepted as one of the 16 company members by the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris as from June 2005.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:31

French Case Law on Maritime Pollution

French statute law being vague and general on maritime pollution (except when it comes to calculating the fines imposed on ship-owners, which have been significantly increased by recent laws, including the law of 09/03/04), judges have considerable leeway regarding the condemnation of owners. Two quite recent decisions (Brest Criminal Court, 15 June 2004, and Marseilles Criminal Court, 6 September 2004, and Marseilles Criminal Court, 6 September 2004 - DMF n°657, March 2005) reveal the judicial trend: severity.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:20

Nigeria Introduces Cabotage Law

The Government of Nigeria finally gave in to the pressure from the local shipping community and related interest groups by introducing a law to restrict the participation of foreign shipowning interests in coastal trade.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:06

Nigerian Ports for Lease

The Nigeria Ports Authority, N.P.A, is reportedly experimenting on the Landlord Model of Port Management and Control. The Pilot stage is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2004 and is said to be fashioned after the system in operation in the port of Antwerp, Belgium.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:49

Government of Nigeria Takes Steps to Curb Offshore Insurance

The Insurance Act 2003 has increased the paid up capital requirements for providers of general insurance business, including Marine & Aviation, and Oil & Gas. To provide cover for insurable interests in these industries, the insurance company will be expected to have a minimum paid up capital of approximately USD 150 million as well as being registered as a Limited Liability Company in Nigeria.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:28

Jurisdiction of the French Commercial Courts

According to Article 14 of the Civil Code, "a foreigner, even if he is not a resident in France, can be sued before the French Courts for the execution of obligations which he has contracted in France with a French citizen."

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:10

Summary of a Dispatch from Budd Togo

When the death of President Eyadéma Gnassingbe was announced on 5 February 2005, the army nominated his son, Faure Ezzozimma Gnassingbe, in his stead and the country's borders were closed from 5 February until his investiture on the morning of 7 February 2005.

...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:38:47

Protecting Agents: A Necessity in Conakry?

Budd Guinea draws the attention of shipowners and their P&I Clubs to the very particular relationships between key players in the port of Conakry which are detrimental to the interests of shipowners.

...more... | 08 Aug 2006 - 12:43:37