Safety and profit are crucial in ports operations. In São Tome e Príncipe, WACA is boosting the capacity of the National Meteorological Institute of São Tomé e Príncipe (INM-STP) to provide to ports up-to-date meteorological services to reduce risks.

Located in the Northeast of the São Tomé Island, Ana Chaves is the main port of the country. It is a critical asset serving as a catalyst for economic growth and development However, the infrastructure is exposed to risks coming from climate variability and change, including weather extremes.

As a result of WACA’s technical support and institutional development activities, INM-STP initiated a daily bulletin specialized on marine meteorology. The bulletin provides a synopsis of the weather conditions as well as 24-hour forecasts on tides, visibility, waves and wind to the National Port Administration Company managing the Ana Chaves Port operations.

“Ports need real-time local weather and sea state information to make accurate decisions on operations” says Joao Moura, co-TTL of WACA São Tomé e Príncipe. “The marine meteorological services provided by INM-SP will reduce uncertainties while helping the Ana Chaves Port maximize safety and profit.”

The paid service also created an additional revenue stream for INM-STP which uses the funds to operate and maintain its monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

Under WACA, INM-STP is expected to strengthen its capacities to monitor and forecast extreme weather and sea state conditions; expand its services to increase the resilience of coastal communities and support operations in other ports and offshore activities such as fisheries and oil & gas industry; and disseminate weather forecasts, alerts and warnings more broadly through various communication channels.

Photographer: Cristiano da Costa, World Bank