Construction has started on a new port in West Africa that will become a major logistics hub capable of handling the world’s largest container ships with a modern fleet of tugboats
DP World has kicked off building the US$1.2Bn Port of Ndayane in Senegal, a major maritime trading centre on the west coast of Africa.
Construction of this port will be completed in two phases, with the first to include building a terminal capable of accommodating ultra-large container ships along an 840-m quay.
This project started in December 2024 with the arrival of dredger Willem Van Rubroeck to dredge a 5-km shipping channel of sufficient depth and width to enable huge container ships to pass safely while under tug escort.
DP World said this phase will create capacity to handle 1.2M TEU annually. A second phase will add a further 410-m quay, positioning Ndayane as a leading logistics hub in west Africa.
The Dubai-headquartered port and maritime industry giant has already invested in the Port of Dakar in Senegal to raise its capacity from 300,000 TEU in 2008 to 800,000 TEU in 2023.
However, the port’s location within a densely urbanised area limits its expansion, making Ndayane a strategic solution to support Senegal’s long-term trade and economic growth ambitions.
“The Port of Ndayane will elevate Senegal and impact trade across the African continent,” said DP World Group chairman and chief executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
“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.”
DP World also intends to develop an economic zone near the port and nearby Blaise Diagne International Airport.
It is collaborating with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance agency, to deliver these projects.
BII estimates the Port of Ndayane will boost Senegal’s gross domestic product by 3% through increased trade flows, potentially adding US$15Bn in trade value by 2035.
During construction, the project will create over 1,800 jobs, and once operational, it is expected to support 2.3M jobs across Senegal, including 22,000 tied directly to expanded trade.