Berbera (SD) – DP WORLD, the operator of the Berbera port in Somaliland, wants to convert the port city of Berbera into an industrial and logistics hub in the Horn of Africa and transport cargo to Ethiopia, according to allafrica.com

This was stated in a lengthy report by All Africa Media on the progress of the Berbera Port, as DP WORLD plans to make Berbera the port for all the landlocked countries in the Horn of Africa.

DP World Chief Executive Officer Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said Berbera Port is central to boosting global trade competition, adding that infrastructure is crucial for the economic recovery of Somaliland and the Horn of Africa.

“The first phase of Berbera port’s expansion began in October 2018, when President (Musa) Abdi and I broke ground to start construction. Just two and half years on, we have a modern, world-class infrastructure asset that helps improve operational efficiency and productivity to meet growing demand. The new terminal, with a deep draft quay of 400 metres and three gantry cranes, is capable of handling the largest container vessels in operation today and increases the port’s capacity from the current 150,000 TEUs to 500,000 TEUs a year,” he said.

He also said that DP World is rapidly developing the Berbera Economic Zone, and said that the Berbera Economic Zone has been designed in the same format as the Jebel Ali Port.

“Modelled on Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), our flagship Free Zone in Dubai, BEZ will provide local and foreign investors with a conducive and competitive environment for investment and trade through readily available infrastructure including prebuilt warehousing facilities, serviced land plots, and office and business centre spaces.” Said Sultan Sulayem.

According to DP World, the goal of developing the Berbera port will not only benefit Somaliland but also be of great benefit to Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and its policymakers and business leaders continue to be well poised to maximize results from improved national productivity as it aims to reach lower-middle-income status by 2025.”said Sultan Sulayem.

The head of DP World in Berbera said that the benefits of Berbera will replace the economic downturn Somaliland is currently facing due to the decline of remittances and livestock exports.