Dredging begins at DP World’s $1.2bn Senegal terminalDredging begins at DP World’s $1.2bn Senegal terminal

DP World announced that maritime works are underway at the $1.2bn Port of Ndayane project in Senegal after dredger Willem Van Rubroeck arrived this month.

Jan de Nul’s 2020-built cutter dredger is undertaking the dredging of a 5 km shipping channel to the port, enabling access for the largest container ships.

DP World said the first phase of the project includes the dredging work plus construction of an 840 m quay. On completion, phase one’s two berths will have a capacity to 1.2m teu per annum; Phase two will add a further berth and 410 m of quay wall, bringing total capacity to 2.6m teu.

The establishment of Port of Ndayane aims to improve Senegal’s logistics and trade connections, relieving pressure on DP World Dakar, the country’s only container terminal. Positioned 50 km south of the capital, Port of Ndayane has greater scope for future expansion than Dakar, which is hemmed in by urban areas.

UK development finance agency British International Investment (BII) is working with DP World to deliver the project.

DP World began the construction of Ndayane in January 2022, building on its involvement at DP World Dakar since 2008. The Port of Dakar has seen handling capacity grow from 300,000 teu in 2008 to 800,000 teu in 2023, DP World said. Port of Ndayane was, at the time of its announcement, DP World’s largest port investment in Africa and the largest single private investment in the history of Senegal.

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Following a recent meeting with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, DP World group chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said: “We believe in Senegal’s economic potential and fully support the government’s ambitions for the nation. The Port of Ndayane will elevate Senegal and impact trade across the African continent. We are proud of our achievements with the Port of Dakar, and Ndayane marks the next level—positioning Senegal as a key trade hub for the region.

“Our plans extend beyond the port. We will develop an economic zone near the port and Blaise Diagne International Airport, which is expected to create even more employment than the port itself."