DP World has announced the arrival of the dredger Willem Van Rubroeck in Ndayane, marking the commencement of maritime works for the $1.2 billion Port of Ndayane.
The dredger will excavate a 5 km-long shipping channel, a critical step toward constructing the state-of-the-art port designed to bolster Senegal’s trade capacity and infrastructure.
Phase 1 of the project will see the development of an 840m quay and a 5 km channel capable of accommodating the world’s largest container ships. This phase will establish an annual handling capacity of 1.2 million TEUs. The subsequent Phase 2 will add a further 410m quay, enhancing the port’s capacity and cementing Ndayane’s position as a premier logistics hub in West Africa.
The Port of Ndayane builds on DP World’s success at the Port of Dakar, which has seen its throughput grow from 300,000 TEUs in 2008 to 800,000 TEUs in 2023. However, the expansion of the Port of Dakar is constrained by its location in a densely populated urban area. Ndayane provides a strategic solution to support Senegal’s long-term trade and economic growth goals.
After meeting Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Senegal’s economic transformation.
“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,” bin Sulayem stated.
In partnership with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance agency, DP World aims to significantly boost Senegal’s economy. BII estimates the port will increase Senegal’s GDP by 3% through enhanced trade flows, adding approximately $15 billion in trade value by 2035.
The project will generate over 1,800 jobs during construction and support an estimated 2.3 million jobs across Senegal once operational. Of these, 22,000 will be directly linked to expanded trade activities.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.