DP World has taken the first step to mark the construction of a $1.1-billion new deepwater port at Ndayane, Senegal, said to be the largest such investment that the company has ever made in Africa.
Last week’s stone-laying ceremony follows the signing in December of a concession agreement between the Dubai-based logistics multinational and the government of President Macky Sall.
The investment, which also ranks as the largest single private sector development in the history of the West African country, paves the way for DP World to build and operate a new port some 50 kilometres south of the existing Port of Dakar.
At the stone-laying ceremony, Sall summed up the development by saying: “The development of modern, quality port infrastructure is vital for economic development.
“With the Port of Ndayane, Senegal will have state-of-the-art port infrastructure that will reinforce our country's position as a major trade hub and gateway in West Africa.
“It will unlock significant economic opportunities for local businesses, create jobs, and increase Senegal’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
“We are pleased to extend our collaboration with DP World to this project, which has already delivered great results with the operation of the container terminal at the Port of Dakar.”
DP World group chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, emphasised that the completion of the port would aid Senegal’s development during the remainder of the century.
Phase 1 will include a container terminal with 840 metres of quay and a new 5km marine channel designed to handle two 336m vessels simultaneously.
It will also be capable of handling the largest container vessels in the world.
It will increase container handling capacity by 1.2 TEUs a year.
In phase 2, an additional container quay of 410m will be developed.
DP World’s plans also include the development of an economic/industrial zone next to the port and near the Blaise Diagne International Airport, creating an integrated multimodal transportation, logistics and industrial hub.
