Cote d’Ivoire ports reopen

Cote d’Ivoire ports reopen    Container lines have been cleared to once again call ports in the Cote d'Ivoire after the European Union lifted sanctions this week against the country.
   The sanctions, in place since January, prevented lines from calling ports in Abidjan and San Pedro. They were intended to force incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo to leave office after he lost a November election, but refused to accept the result, leading to civil war in the strife-torn nation. Gbagbo was arrested last week.
   A notice from Hapag-Lloyd Monday said: 'After thorough investigation of the local situation, Hapag-Lloyd has decided to accept cargo to and from Cote d'Ivoire again with immediate effect.'
   The German line calls Adijan on its West African Express service connecting West Africa and Northern Europe. CMA CGM was reported to have begun calling at Abidjan as soon as Tuesday.
   Cote d'Ivoire is a key global producer of coca and coffee.