DP World opens terminal at Djibouti port

Global marine terminal operator DP World yesterday opened the Doraleh container terminal in Djibouti with a capacity to handle 1.2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) annually.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Dubai World and DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem officiated at a quayside ceremony while Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Foundation for Events Management and Organisation, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new terminal, a press statement said.

DP World and the Djibouti Government established a joint venture in 2000 after the company was awarded a 20-year concession to operate the port of Djibouti.

That successful partnership led to the joint venture investing in building the nearby Doraleh container terminal. Dubai World, the DP World's parent company, has invested in Djibouti, including in a hotel, a free zone and customs operations, through its other companies.

Bin Sulayem said: "Doraleh container terminal is testament to a vision shared by the President of Djibouti, DP World and Dubai World, and is a lasting model for large-scale public-private partnerships in Africa.

"We have invested both financial and human resources in Djibouti over the past nine years as part of our long-term commitment to our partnership here. That investment in efficient infrastructure has helped stimulate the economy and supported trade, which in turn has benefited our business. But importantly, it has created jobs, created wealth and created opportunities for young Djiboutians."

Doraleh terminal is the largest in East Africa.

Its 18-metre draft and 1,050-metre quay can accommodate the largest ships in service, including the 10-15,000 TEU "Super-Post-Panamax" vessels. Capacity at the terminal is set to grow in line with market demand to around three million TEUs over time.

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