DP World and the Government of Senegal have laid the first stone to mark the start of construction for the new Port of Ndayane, it has been announced.
According to a WAM report, the stone laying ceremony follows the concession agreement signed in December 2020 between DP World and the Government of Senegal to build and operate a new port at Ndayane, which is about 50km from the existing Port of Dakar.
The investment of more than US$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 infrastructure project reflects the growing partnerships between Dubai and African markets aimed at supporting development in the continent.
The ceremony was attended by Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, 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.
President Sall said: “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.”
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 (TEUs) a year. In phase 2, an additional container quay of 410m will be developed.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem added: “Today’s laying of the first stone not only marks the start of construction, but also turning the vision of President 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. We thank President Sall, his government, and the Port Authority for the trust and confidence placed in us.”
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, he added.
