Dubai’s state-owned largest port operator, DP World has started construction works of a $1.13 billion deep-water port at Ndayane, Senegal, around 50 kilometer south of the capital Dakar.
DP World Dakar, a joint venture between the logistics provider and the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD), is the biggest private investment in the West African country.
Senegal President Mr. Macky Sall laid the foundation stone for the project. “We are ready for the structural transformation of our economy with this mega project,” Mr. Sall said.
The first phase of the project will comprise 840 meters of quay and a 5-kilometer marine channel equipped to accommodate 366-meter vessels, with a second phase adding 410 meters of container quay and further dredging to handle 400-meter vessels, according to DP World.
The first phase has an investment by DP World Dakar of $837 million, which will make it the single largest private sector investment in the history of Senegal and is expected to be followed by the second phase of investment of $290 million.
Mr. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World, stated that the company would build and operate the 300-hectare container terminal, as well as finance and design the land and maritime infrastructure. “It represents a brighter future as this new port will bring greater economic growth, prosperity, and jobs,” Mr. Sulayem said.
DP World is also planning to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) next to the Port of Ndayane to further strengthen the attractiveness of Senegal to foreign investors looking at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.
The development of such an SEZ serviced by a world-class port and airport will become another strong driver for the growth of the economy and generation of jobs for the next generation of Senegalese citizens.
