Following the concession agreement signed in December 2020 between DP World and the Government of Senegal to build and operate a new port at Ndayane, the two partners have now laid a ceremony to start construction of the port.
The investment of more than US$1.1 billion is projected to develop the Port of Ndayane in two phases. The port will be located about 50 km from the existing Port of Dakar and will be DP World’s largest port investment to date in Africa and the largest single private investment in the history of Senegal.
The ceremony was attended by Macky Sall, president of the Republic of Senegal, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World, as well as a number of presidents of institutions, members of the Government of Senegal, and local communities.
Macky Sall referred to the benefits arising from the construction of the new port, saying that the development of 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,” commented Macky Sall.
The first phase of the port’s development includes a container terminal with 840 meters of quay and a 5-km-marine channel, designed to handle two vessels of 336 meters simultaneously, and capable of handling the largest container ships in the world. It will also increase container handling capacity by 1.2 million TEU a year.
Furthermore, during the second phase, an additional container quay of 410 meters 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 integrated multimodal transportation, logistics and industrial hub.”
