The arrival of the dragging vessel Willem Van Rubroeck in Ndayane marks a key stage in the construction of the future $1.2 billion port, led by the DP World group in partnership with the State of Senegal. Located approximately 70 kilometers south of Dakar, this port aims to decongest the Autonomous Port of Dakar and strengthen the country’s commercial infrastructure.
A major project for a regional commercial hub
The maritime works include the dredging of a 5 kilometer shipping channel, essential to accommodate the largest container ships in the world. The first phase of the project provides for an 840-meter quay and an annual handling capacity of 1.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). A second phase will add a 410 meter quay, thus consolidating Ndayane as a major logistics center in West Africa.
DP World draws on its experience at the Port of Dakar, where traffic increased from 300,000 TEU in 2008 to 800,000 TEU in 2023. However, the expansion limits of the current port, landlocked in a dense urban area, make essential the creation of Ndayane to support the economic and commercial growth of Senegal.
A transformative project for trade and employment
Ahmed bin Sulayem, President and CEO of DP World, “We believe in Senegal’s economic potential and fully support the government’s ambitions. The Port of Ndayane will position the country as a key player in trade in Africa. Our plans go beyond the port, with the development of an economic zone near Blaise Diagne International Airport, creating even more jobs than the port itself,” said Mr. Bin Sulayem.
Working with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance agency, DP World estimates the project will increase Senegal’s GDP by 3% by 2035, potentially adding $15 billion in commercial value . The construction phase will generate more than 1,800 jobs, while port operations are expected to support 2.3 million, including 22,000 directly linked to increased trade.
Local mobilization for recruitment
On November 22, 2024, the company RMO, responsible for recruitment, organized a session at Yenne town hall to meet labor needs. The positions offered included specialist technicians (surveyors, welders, machine operators), supervisors (team leaders, HR supervisors) and non-technical jobs accessible without specific qualifications.
