Dubai - Mubasher: DP World has won a 30-year concession with an automatic 10-year extension for the management and development of a multi-purpose port project at Berbera in the Republic of Somaliland, the company announced on Monday in a press release.
The Port of Berbera opens a new point of access to the Red Sea and will complement DP World’s existing port at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, the company said.
DP World will set up a joint venture with 65% control together with the government of Somaliland to manage and invest in the Port of Berbera.
The investment of up to $442 million will include a first phase of a 400 metre quay and 250,000 square metre yard extension, and gantry cranes and reach stackers to handle containers and cargo, according to the statement.
Construction of the quay extension is expected to start 12 months after the satisfaction of the terms and conditions of the agreement and will take 24 months to complete, the report added.
Total investment will be phased over time and be dependent on port volumes, and will create a regional trading hub along with the scope for a free zone. The project will focus on containers with the capability to handle other types of cargo and will be implemented with the government of Somaliland.
