DP World Begins Work on New Senegal Port

By Simon West

Dubai-based global port operator DP World has broken ground on a new US$1.1 billion deepwater port at Ndayane in the West African nation of Senegal. 

Located some 50 kilometers south of the existing Port of Dakar in Senegal’s capital, the two-phase infrastructure project constitutes DP World’s largest-ever investment in an African port, and the biggest single private investment in Senegal’s history. 

“The development of modern, quality port infrastructure is vital for economic development,” Senegalese President Macky Sall said during a stone-laying ceremony to mark the start of construction.

“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.”

DP World signed a concession agreement with the Senegalese government in December 2020 to build and operate Ndayane, scrapping earlier plans to build a second container terminal at Dakar.

The first phase of the project calls for an investment of US$837 million to build a container terminal with an 840-meter quay and 5-kilometer marine channel capable of handling 366-meter vessels. Capacity is expected to rise by 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalents, or TEUs, per year.

A second phase will see US$290 million spent to install an additional 410-meter quay and further dredge the marine channel to handle 400-meter vessels. 

DP World also plans to develop an economic and industrial zone next to Ndayane. The zone, about 20 kilometres from Blaise Diagne International Airport, would create “an integrated multimodal transportation, logistics and industrial hub”, the company said.

"As the leading enabler of global trade, we will bring all our expertise, technology and capability to this port project, the completion of which will support Senegal’s development over the next century,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, during the ceremony. 

DP World operates a network of 181 businesses in 64 countries across six continents. The company’s UAE division operates Jebel Ali Port in Dubai – the Middle East’s busiest shipping destination with a handling capacity of 19.3 million TEUs.

DP World will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Middle East 2022 on 1-2 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai.

You can find out more about the region’s project potential at the Spotlight: West Africa event scheduled for Day Two of Breakbulk Middle East. The event will be moderated by Lars Greiner, associate partner for the Middle East and Africa at Hamburg Port Consulting.