DP Word and the Senegalese government announced on Tuesday the start of construction of the new Port of Ndayane, about 50 km from the existing Port of Dakar in Senegal.
The announcement was made during a stone laying ceremony, which follows the concession agreement signed in December 2020 between the two sides to build and operate a new port.
The ceremony was attended by Senegalese President Macky Sall and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, as well as a number of Presidents of institutions, members of the Government of Senegal, and local communities.
DP World said the project reflects the growing partnerships between Dubai and African markets aimed at supporting development in the continent.
The investment of more than $1 billion in two phases to develop Port Ndayane, is DP World’s largest port investment in Africa to date, and the largest single private investment in the history of Senegal.
“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,” Sall said.
He added that the project will unlock significant economic opportunities for local businesses, create jobs, and increase Senegal’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
For his part, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said the laying of the first stone not only marks the start of construction, but also turning the vision of Sall, into reality.
“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,” he added.
Phase 1 of the development of the port will include a container terminal with 840m of quay and a new 5km marine channel designed to handle two 336m vessels simultaneously, and capable of handling the largest container vessels in the world.
It will increase container handling capacity by 1.2 million Twenty Foot Equivalent Units 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.
