Port to also serve landlocked Ethiopia which has acquired a 19% stake in the project
Construction work on the development of the multi-purpose Berbera port in the Republic of Somaliland recently commenced with a special ground-breaking ceremony to mark the occasion.
(Image courtesy – Wikipedia)
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi and DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem launched the first phase of work and thanked attending government officials and partners for their support at the start of a new era of growth for the country.
The first phase will consist of building a 400-metre quay and 250,000sqm yard extension as well as the development of a free zone to create a new regional trading hub. DP World Berbera, the joint venture company, will also serve land locked countries in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia which has a 19% stake in the project as a shareholder.
Phase two would involve an additional US$ 320mn in construction and equipment, and would expand Berbera’s containerized cargo capacity to about 450,000 TEU per year. The plan also calls for a US$ 100mn roadway to connect Berbera to the border with Ethiopia.
“This event is a landmark and will see a transformation in the capacity of this major infrastructure asset that will benefit people both here and across the Horn of Africa, providing an alternative gateway to international markets and providing jobs to the people of Somaliland,” said Bin Sulayem.
“The importance of the Port of Berbera as a Red Sea gateway for the Middle East and Africa can now be realised, unlocking our potential as a trade hub and creating jobs across the country,” asserted President Abdi.
