Senegal is building a $1.1 billion super port near the town of Ndayane, 50 kilometers southeast of the capital Dakar. Known as the "port of the future", the multifunctional port has advanced technology and high operational efficiency. By modernizing the current port infrastructure (as the country begins to develop maritime discovery is critical) and prioritizing new port development, Senegal has positioned itself as a center of trade in West Africa, driving investment and facilitating the COVID-19 recovery.

The development of the deep-water seaport is DP World, a logistics company based in Dubai. According to the agreement signed with the Dakar Port Authority on December 23, 2020, DP World will fund 600 hectares of land about 50 kilometers from the country’s existing port, close to Bles Diagne International Airport, and north of Ndayane. , Design and build a green field port. The Dakar "Port of the Future" project in which the company participated is the largest private sector infrastructure investment in Senegal's history.

DP World will start the first phase of construction in 2022, which will require an initial capital investment of US$837 million. This includes the construction of a 840m dock area and the excavation of a 5km long waterway that can accommodate a 360m Chinamax ship, which is the largest container ship in the world.

DP World is currently discussing a US$293 million investment in the second phase, which will install 410 million container terminals and dredging sea channels to handle 400 million tons of cargo. It is estimated that less than US$600 million of investment is left to meet the total investment required for the project.

Promote the diversified development of trade exchanges

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, said after signing the agreement: "This will be DP World's largest port investment in Africa to date, and it demonstrates our commitment to Senegal and our belief in its potential for further economic growth. "The new port will create employment opportunities, attract new foreign direct investment for the country, and bring new trade opportunities for economic diversification.

The proposed port will make Senegal a center of trade and logistics in West Africa, in line with President McKissal’s economic development plan, the Senegal Emergency Plan. The multifunctional port will become the best destination for West African port activities. It is expected to accommodate 1.5 million oil tankers each year, and will eventually have a container terminal with more than 3 kilometers of terminals and a container yard of 300 hectares. In addition, the project will reduce congestion in the Dakar port and enable the port to be re-developed into a mixed-use residential and commercial waterfront area and cruise ship terminal.

Alioune Ndoye, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, said: “The port of Ndayani is a major component of the port platform. Thanks to its comparative advantage in the sub-region, our country has regained its leading position.” This port will become a strong growth driver. Leverage, as the central link in the logistics chain, conforms to the vision put forward by the President of the Republic, His Excellency McKissal in the Senegal emergency plan, to make our country an integrated country. And a competitive logistics center.

Promotion of special economic zones

DP World also plans to establish a special economic zone near the port of Ndayane to increase Senegal's attractiveness to global investors interested in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The establishment of special economic zones is of vital importance to Senegalese citizens, which can promote economic growth and create employment opportunities.

“The economic zone will be modeled on Dubai’s DP World’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. It will attract a large amount of foreign investment and become an important lever for the development of industry and services, which will create employment opportunities,” said Mamadou Diallo, senior director of external relations. “This The new port will help significantly increase the throughput of Dakar Port, which will enable it to fully play and strengthen its role as a gateway to the ECOWAS region and as an engine of economic growth."

Keywords: port construction, trade exchanges, international engineering news

The port will play an important role in promoting Senegal's post-COVID-19 economic recovery. According to data from the International Monetary Fund, although the average economic growth rate from 2014 to 2019 was 6.38%, Senegal's growth rate in 2020 is only 1% due to the impact of the epidemic. The development of the port will not only bring new trade opportunities with international destinations, but will promote economic growth through job creation, economic diversification and multi-sectoral investment.Editor/Baohongying