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Gabon Flag of Gabon

Pre Arrival:  Documents
Communications:  Pre-Arrival
Facilities:  Medical
Security:  Piracy
Local Info:  Time
Shore:  Connections | Customs
Crew:  Leave | Repatriation
Misc:  General
General Information for Gabon
Geo-political:
Capital City: Libreville. 00° 23.00′ N, 009° 27.00′ E
Nationality: (noun) Gabonese (singular and plural), (adjective) Gabonese.
Population: 2,230,908 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 241.
Number of Internal Airports: 44 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira and Bandjabi.
Economy:
Currency: 1 CFA Franc BEAC (XAF) of 100 Centimes.
Exchange Rates:  (as of November 2020)
USD 1.00 = XAF 563.46
Exchange rates under licence from XE.com
Main Industries: Petroleum extraction, refining, manganese, gold, chemicals, ship repair, food, beverages, textiles, lumbering, plywood and cement.
Agricultural Products: Cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, cattle, okoume and fish.
Imports: Machinery, equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals and construction materials.
Exports: Crude oil, timber, manganese and uranium.
Commodities: Crude: Production 196,000 bbl/d. Exports 214,200 bbl/d. Reserves 2,000,000,000 bbl. Products: Production 16,580 bbl/d. Exports 4,662 bbl/d. Imports 10,680 bbl/d. LNG: Production 401,000,000 cu.m.. Reserves 28,320,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 885 km.
Climate: Tropical; always hot, humid.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore and hydropower.
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south.
Average Temperatures: 
Month High Low
January 30° C 23° C
June 28° C 23° C
September 29° C 24° C
DOCUMENTS:  Required for arrival formalities:
3 Crew Effects Declarations
3 Crew Lists
3 General Declarations
3 Last Port Clearances
3 Maritime Declaration of Health
3 Narcotics Lists
3 Nil Lists
3 Notices of Readiness
3 Ports of Call Lists
3 Ship Sanitation Control (Exemption) Certificates
3 Stores Lists (FAL 3)
3 Vaccination Lists
Port State Control:  PSC is very strict in Gabon. The following original documents should be available for sighting during vessel's inspection:
   Cargo Ship Safety Certificate
   Certificate of Fitness (as applicable)
   Classification Certificate
   Document of Compliance
   International Load Line Certificate
   International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate
   International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
   International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate
   International Ship Security Certificate
   International Tonnage Certificate
   Minimum Safe Manning Document
   Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
   Registry Certificate
   Ship Safety Construction Certificate
   Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
   Ship Safety Radio Certificate
   Ship Sanitation Control (Exemption) Certificate
The following publications, as applicable, must be on board and available for sighting:
   IAMSAR Manual Volume II
   IBC Code
   ICS Tanker Safety Guide (Gas)
   IGC Code
   IMDG Code
   IMO Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes
   IMO Code of Safe Practice for Timber Deck Cargoes
   International Code of Signals
   International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
   International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
   International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
   INF Code
   ISGOTT
   ISM Code
   ISPS Code
   LSA Code
   MARPOL
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:  Vessel should advise Agent of the following before arrival in Gabon:
  1. Master’s full name
  2. vessel voyage number
  3. ship’s particulars
  4. Last Port Clearance
  5. last port of call
  6. total quantity to be discharged/loaded
  7. Cargo Manifest
  8. copy of the Bill of Lading
  9. next port of call
  10. Crew List
  11. details of charterer
  12. details of owner
  13. updated ETA
  14. P&I contacts details in Gabon.
Last Port Clearance Formalities:  Gabonese Customs are very strict and demand that clearance from the last sailing port is signed and stamped by Customs Officer/representative at the last sailing port. It is recommended that the word "Customs", or a translation of the word in local language, is written clearly alongside the stamp to avoid any problems. Additionally, the Clearance should state Gabon, or ideally the port/terminal in Gabon, as the destination.
The original Clearance should be on board for sighting, scanned copies cannot be accepted.
It is recommended that vessel, either directly or through Agent at last sailing port, provides local Agent in Gabon with a copy of the Last Port Clearance prior to vessel's arrival in Gabon, so that it can be checked for conformity with Customs.
Please note, any fine imposed by Customs for irregularities is around CFA2,000,000 (approx. EUR3,050).
NB: Electronic Clearances from Singapore are accepted by local Customs with destination Gabon.
MEDICAL:  Medical facilities are limited, particularly in rural areas.
You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Gabon, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Also see General.
PIRACY:  There have been attacks of armed robbery on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Extreme caution should be exercised in these areas when travelling in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.
IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:  IMB PRC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 24/7 Helpline T: +60 (3) 2031 0014. F: +60 (3) 2078 5769. [email protected] www.icc-ccs.org
IMB PRC Malaysia broadcasts SITREP reports to vessels at 0000 GMT and warnings via Inmarsat C (Satellite) EGC Safety Net. However, vessels within some parts of the world, that are not considered at risk from piracy, will not receive these messages.
Also see General.
CONNECTIONS:  Road conditions are poor in most local areas, and driving can be hazardous. During the rainy season from October to mid-December and mid-February to May, many roads are passable only with a four-wheel drive vehicle. You should avoid travelling by road at night.
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.
Details available at www.ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en
Also see General.
CUSTOMS:  BIETC Formalities:  BIETC is a cargo tracking electronic system for all import/export products. Gabon Customs, Conseil Gabonais des Chargeurs (CGC), request that any cargo going to Gabon has to be tracked by CGC through the BIETC document. The BIETC must be obtained by:
  1. the receiver, on arrival, if the product is coming from a Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC 1) country
  2. the shipper or the trader, who is responsible for requesting it, if the product comes from anywhere else.
The shipping line/charterer/owner has an obligation to check that the BIETC has been issued before loading the cargo. It is highly recommended that the BIETC number is inserted in the B/L. Please ensure that all formalities relating to BIETC are completed before vessel arrives in Gabon for discharging.
In the case of offshore transshipment, charterers/owners should contact CGC or local agent for advice.
If the BIETC document is not made, charterers and owners, as well as the receiver, can expect to be heavily fined. In the case of shipments outside of CEMAC, traders should contact CGC Paris who will indicate which representative they should deal with.
Contact:  Mme Amale. T: +33 1 5659 9182. [email protected]
More information is available on the CGC website. cgcworld.com/
1 Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo.
SHORE LEAVE:  Crime is increasing, particularly in Libreville and Port Gentil, including incidents of robbery, armed attacks and rapes. You should take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. It is recommended that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public. You should avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns and walking alone at night. We advise you to be cautious on quiet or isolated beaches in and around Libreville, and to avoid them altogether at night. Use taxis from recognised sources only, such as hotels. Do not hail one from the street.
Following a number of car-jackings within Libreville, it is recommended that you keep your car windows closed and car doors locked if you are travelling at night. Do not stop to pick up strangers. To avoid the risk of serious injury do not resist car-jackers.
Also see General.
REPATRIATION:  Master must ensure that all embarking/disembarking crew have their Seaman's Book stamped and signed by the vessel's Master.
You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country. Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.
Gabon has closed land, air and sea borders with countries affected by Ebola, including Nigeria, as a prevention measure against the spread of Ebola. Flights and ships travelling from or via Ebola affected countries are banned. Make sure your onward/return travel arrangements are flexible and take account of these travel restrictions.
Also see General.
GENERAL:  Information obtained from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Consult www.gov.uk/fco/ for updates.