DP World invests $442 million in a breakaway region in Somalia

BERBERA, Somalia - DP World is investing at least $442 million in Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia, in a bid the extend the Berbera Port, which was launched recently, and attended by a host of stakeholders from several parts of Somalia and abroad.

The company, which is also doing Bosaso Port through P&O subsidiary, but has yet to commence works, commissioned a terminal at Berbera Port on Thursday, in what could change fortunes of the Horn of the African nation.

This follows the completion of the first phase of the port's expansion as part of its development into a major regional trade hub to serve the Horn of Africa.

The new terminal was opened by Muse Bihi Abdi, President of Somaliland, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. The event also included the ground-breaking for the Berbera Economic Zone, the first phase of which is under construction.

The new terminal with a deep draft of 17m, a quay of 400m, and three ships to shore [STS] gantry cranes - can handle the largest container vessels in operation and increases the port's container capacity from 150,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units [TEUs] to 500,000 TEUs annually. The terminal also includes a container yard with eight rubber-tired gantry cranes.

DP World has committed to investing up to $442 million to develop and expand Berbera Port, and with the first phase now complete, work is already underway to further expand the port in a second phase. This includes extending the new quay from 400 to 1,000 meters, and installing a further seven STS gantry cranes, increasing the total from three to 10, enabling the port to handle up to 2 million TEUs a year, and multiple large container vessels at the same time.

Berbera port container terminal

The Berbera Economic Zone is modeled on the Jebel Ali Port, and DP World will be looking at quite a few synergies from this venture.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman, and CEO said in a statement: "Our further expansion of the port in a second phase, and its integration with the special economic zone we are developing along the Berbera Corridor, reflects our confidence in Berbera and intent to develop it into a significant, world-class center of trade. It will be a viable, efficient, and competitive option for trade in the region, especially for Ethiopian transit cargo."

Part of the Berbera port and Economic Zone plan is modeled on the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. The economic zone is linked to the port and strategically located along the Berbera to Wajaale road (Berbera Corridor).

The economic zone aims to attract investment and create jobs and will target a range of industries, including warehousing, logistics, traders, manufacturers, and other related sectors.

A look at the Dubai Creek or the tracks around the many parks in the city is enough proof of this, as residents are up and about their morning regimens. Of course, there are many who prefer to hit the gyms or do some mall walking in air-conditioned comfort, but that’s another matter.

The point is to stay active and stay fit, with due precautions, to guard not only against the extreme heat but also COVID-19.

GAROWE ONLINE