This is a Category B project according to IFC’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability.

 Key E&S risks and issues related to this project include: (a) adequate E&S assessment of the proposed expansion in line with legal and IFC PSs requirements; (b) company’s capacity and systems to manage E&S aspects of its operations in compliance with legal requirements and IFC PSs; (c) labor management and fair, safe and healthy working conditions for workers during both construction and operation; (d) management of waste, emissions, and wastewater ; (e) management of traffic and security related impacts on local communities; (f) community grievance mechanism.                   

E&S policies; risk assessment, and management systems: APM has developed corporate QHSE policies, a code of conduct and drug and an alcohol policy which form the basis of its environmental health safety (EHS) management system started in 2017. The system includes risk assessment and management procedures for boats loading and unloading operations, waste management as well as driving the merchandise to the warehouses. Also, a daily training is conducted with the drivers and the operational team. Training topics cover security, risk, waste management, personal protective equipment operational risk identification etc.  As part of IFC’s financing, APM will augment the existing EHS framework and will develop and implement an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) per PS requirements, consistent with Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), as reflected in the relevant and applicable parts of the WBG General Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines specific to and suitably scaled for its business activities including provisions for contractors and primary services providers. ESMS will include (but limited to) policies and procedures for risk identification, environmental monitoring, the emergency response, internal and external grievance mechanism, on gender-based violence, sexual harassment, freedom of association, child labour, supply sourcing, efficient use of resources, stakeholder engagement plan (ESAP#1).

E&S Impact Assessment: As part of the risk assessment, and as required by the Country legislation, APM will prepare an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Kribi and N’dokochi facilities as well as for the expansion facilities in Essengue (ESAP # 2). ESIA will be in line with IFC Ps and the E&S Management Plans (ESMPs) will be prepared and implemented for all facilities.

Emergency planning and response: The company has fire extinguishers at the administrative building, garage, operational sites in Essengue and sites within the Port of Douala. The site in the port of Kribi is an open-air space, with no extinguishers, firefighting system in place. Records of firefighting training and/or emergency response drill for the company was not provided. As per ESAP#1, an emergency preparedness and response framework will be developed as a part of the ESMS. In line with the framework, each facility will develop their own emergency response plan as well as provide and maintain emergency alarm system, identify assembly points and evacuation routes, install appropriate and adequate fire-fighting equipment. Going forward, all project facilities will appoint and train emergency response team to respond in case of emergency (ESAP#1).

E&S organization capacity: APM has one manager for its QHSE department. The QHSE manager oversees all the operations in Douala and in Kribi. As per the ESAP #3, APM will designate a suitably experience QHSE manager at the corporate level and will define E&S roles and responsibilities for the E&S organization for Douala and Kribi sites.

Monitoring and Review: APM has implemented an accidents and waste monitoring system. Regular inspections have been conducted for the facilities in the port domain by the ministry of Environment officer. APM will will develop a procedure on environmental, and workplace health and safety monitoring, for each facility as per applicable local standards, IFC PS and WBG relevant EHS Guidelines. Regular monitoring will be conducted at all project facilities and results will be shared with IFC through annual monitoring report.

E&S Screening for Wood Storage: As APM provides storage space for wood, it will implement screening procedures to ensure that the wood stored by clients meets legal requirements for logging and transport and include the requirements of the same in the client contracts. It will also raise awareness of clients on trading in certified products (e.g. Forest Stewardship Council), wherever possible.

Resource efficiency: A resource efficiency management framework, defining energy and water efficiency measures to be implemented in the design and operations, will be included in the ESMS and APM will identify key performance indicators (like reduction in waste, energy conservation) to monitor facilities’ E&S performance (ESAP #1).

Power supply and air emissions:  Electricity is mainly sourced from the public grid at the project facilities As per ESAP#1, emissions from the DG sets and ambient air quality will be regularly tested to ensure compliance with the applicable local standards and relevant WBG EHS guidelines.

Water supply and wastewater: Water is sourced from a public water system for domestic uses. In Douala, APM has a borewell with a capacity of 1000L for domestic purposes (e.g. in toilets and handwash). The warehouse operations do not require significant water consumption. At the garage, water is used to wash the trucks before each operation. For drinking purposes, packaged drinking water is provided. Domestic sewages are discharged to septic tanks build on-site, which is periodically transported and disposed of by authorized municipal contractors. APM will monitor their sullage quantities (ESAP#1).

Waste management: Wastes includes recyclables (packaging, paper, plastic) and some quantity of hazardous waste (used oil, used batteries from the DG sets). As per the ESAP #1, the company will develop and implement a procedure on waste management which will describe storage, handling and disposal methods of each category of waste for the project facilities.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions: GHG emissions is expected to be less than 25.000-ton carbon dioxide emission equivalent per year upon project completion and annual GHG emissions will be provided to IFC through annual monitoring report

Traffic Safety: APM arranges for the transportation of the goods from the facilities as required by the client with their own truck. As per the ESAP #1, the company will develop and implement a traffic safety management plan including a road safety training for driver to minimize risks and impacts on the communities.

Security forces: The company employs unarmed private security guards at all its facilities through external agencies. On-site training is provided to security personnel on fire safety, first-aid and their roles and responsibilities by the QHSE manager. As per the ESAP #1, the company will develop a specific security policy/code of conduct which will include behaviour with the community, workers and implement clear guidelines on use of force as well as processes on background checks of the guards. The policy will be contractually binding for the private security provider and communicated to the security guards as part of the induction, as well as refresher training. In addition, the grievance mechanism will also allow for complaints related to security forces.

 As discussed under PS1, APM will developed a stakeholder engagement plan (SEP). The SEP also includes consultation and information sharing with the local community, requires all facilities to develop a community grievance mechanism and have a centralized grievance tracker at the corporate level.  As per ESAP #1, APM will develop a community grievance mechanism which will include clear procedures of receiving, processing and responding to community complaints and providing feedback to the complainant at the facility level and their reporting to the corporate QHSE manager.    

   The ESRS-ESAP will be disclosed at the following address: 

Immeuble APM

Quai de la Marine

BP 12610 Douala

Cameroon

Any queries and/or comments about the project may be directed to:

Anne Ekedi

Chief Financial Officer

Email: anne.ekedi@apmmaritimes.cm

Fax: +237 233 43 47 83

Tel: +237 233 43 47 77