Senegal

Background and Rationale

Senegal has long been recognized as a challenging environment for businesses operating in its ports. The Port Autonome de Dakar is consistently ranked by Members among the most difficult globally, particularly within the West African region. A key concern for businesses is the lack of clear and accessible port procedures, making compliance difficult. Companies face penalties for infractions they were unaware of, and routine processes often involve excessive, non-standardized fines. These unpredictable costs — whether financial, time-related, or operational — add uncertainty to port calls.

To address these issues, MACN has launched a full Collective Action initiative in Senegal. Following the launch of the Senegal Working Group in April 2024, MACN has sought to identify, quantify, and tackle challenges faced at the port in Dakar; MACN conducted in-country assessments, analyzed the financial impact of non-standard fines and corruption on P&I Clubs, and surveyed Members on their current port experiences. With this foundation in place, MACN is collaborating to advance a comprehensive strategy to drive port reform.

MACN’s Strategy

Take Action – Want to help improve the port environment in Senegal? Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Submit Your Pre-Arrival and Post-Departure Feedback: Before your port call, send a Pre-Arrival Notification (PAN) to the MACN HelpDesk. After departure, you will receive a Post-Departure Survey (PDS) to your email — complete it! Your input is critical in shaping reforms.
   • Email: helpdesk@macn.dk
   • Copy to: mgowon@macn.dk
   • Include:
     • Name of vessel
     • IMO number
     • Name of arrival Port/Harbour/Terminal
     • Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
     • Last port of call
     • Next port of call
     • Name and contact details of boarding agent
2. Report Corruption Incidents: If you encounter corruption in Senegal’s ports, report it through one of the following channels:
   • MACN’s Anonymous Reporting System
   • Directly (non-anonymously) to the MACN HelpDesk by emailing helpdesk@macn.dk (remember to cc mgowon@macn.dk)
   • MACN’s Port State Control Platform (PSCP), if the issue relates to PSC enforcement

3. Be Engaged: Interested in joining the Senegal Working Group? Reach out to mgowon@macn.dk to get involved. Not ready for that level of commitment? You can still stay engaged in other ways, like responding to periodic surveys and attending in-country stakeholder dialogues.