The actual construction of the Ndayane deepwater port in Senegal has begun approximately 26 months since the project foundation stone was laid.
DP World Dakar and the Government of Senegal began the works in mid-April 2023. This is after the finalization of the various preconditions and the conclusion by DP World of the calls for tenders related to the project.
Overview of the Ndayane Deepwater Port Project in Senegal
The Ndayane Deepwater Port Project is being carried out on the Petite-Côte south of Dakar. The project will be carried out in phases by Dubai Ports (DP) World at a cost of over US$ 1bn.
The first phase of the project will include the construction of a 5 km shipping channel and a container terminal with an 840-meter quay. As a result, the port of Ndayane will be able to operate two 366-meter vessels simultaneously. Additionally, it will have a processing capacity of 1.2 million TEUs (standard 6-meter containers) per year.
The second phase of the project will see the construction of an additional quay of 410 meters. There are also plans to build an industrial economic zone near the port and Blaise Diagne International Airport. This area will reportedly become an integrated multimodal center for transport, logistics, and industry.
Upon completion the port will significantly decongest the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD) that currently captures 95% of the country’s trade, but also 80% of hydrocarbons and 65% of other traffic from Mali. It will also create jobs, attract new foreign direct investment to the country, and enable new trading opportunities that bring about economic diversification.
Ndayane Deepwater Port is scheduled to be operational in 2026.
Reported earlier
December 2020
Senegal: Agreement for the development of the deepwater port at Ndayane
The government of Senegal has signed an agreement with Dubai Ports (DP) World, an Emirati Multinational Logistics Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that specializes in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services, and free trade zones among others, for the development of a deepwater port at Ndayane.
The agreement was signed in Dakar, the capital city of the West African country, by Alioune Ndoye, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy in Senegal, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, after constructive, detailed, and fruitful discussions between HE Macky Sall, President of Senegal, and the DP World CEO.
As per the agreement, DP World Dakar SA, the local joint venture between DP World and the Port of Dakar (PAD), will inject US$ 837m for the execution of the first phase of the project.
Jan 2021
The foundation stone for Ndayane deepwater port in Senegal laid
The foundation stone has been laid in a ceremony graced by HE Macky Sall, the President of the Republic of Senegal, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of Dubai Ports (DP) World, to mark the start of the construction of the New Port of Ndayane.
This comes approximately 4 months after the government of the West African country signed in Dakar an agreement with the Emirati Multinational Logistics Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the development of the deep-water port whose site is located about 50 km from the existing Port of Dakar.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, HE Macky Sall, said that the development of modern, quality port infrastructure is a vital element in economic development.
“With the New Port of Ndayane, Senegal will have state-of-the-art port infrastructure that will reinforce our country’s position as a major trade hub and gateway in the West African region. It will also unlock significant economic opportunities for local businesses, create jobs, and increase the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors,” explained the president.
Feb 2023
The construction of the $1.1 billion Ndayane deepwater port in Senegal is expected to resume after being delayed for more than 12 months. The Senegalese government, in conjunction with DP World, started the project a year ago. The project stopped after the government failed to give out its contribution to start the project.
Recently, however, Macky Sall, Senegal’s president, announced that money would be provided to continue the construction of the port south of Senegal’s Dakar.
According to reports the project will restart this month. The entire project, located 30 miles from Dakar and close to the Blaise Diagne International Airport, is set to be completed in 2026.
