United Arab Emirates-headquartered logistics provider DP World has made a deal with the government of Senegal to develop a new deep-water port at Ndayane, which will include a new box terminal to handle the world’s biggest container vessels, according to Reuters.
DP World has announced that the total investment will exceed US$1.1 billion and will be the biggest terminal in Africa to date.
DP World Dakar, a joint venture between the Dubai-based global port operator and the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD), will take over the financing, designing and development of land and maritime infrastructure for the new 6 million m2 port about 50km from the existing port.
The agreement to build the port was reached after discussion between the president of Senegal, Mack Sall, and DP World chairman, Sultan bin Sulayem, reports Reuters.
The new project comes after Senegal’s joining to the World Logistics Passport, an innovation that creates opportunities for business and governments to improve existing trading routes and develop new ones. Furthermore, the agreement for the new Port of Ndayane follows the existing plans for DP World to develop and operate a 3 million m2 box terminal in the Port of Dakar.
The company also mentioned it was planning to develop a special economic zone next to the Port of Ndayane.
DP World will invest US$837 million in the first phase of the Port of Ndayane and is expected to spend US$290 million on a second phase, added Reuters, while DP World believes the new port will help to enhance Dakar’s status as “a major logistics hub and gateway to West and Northwest Africa.”
Aboubacar Sedikh Beye, director general of PAD, commented, “The development of the new port at Ndayane will provide a strong engine of growth for the next phase of the Plan Senegal Emergent.”
