- Title: DJIBOUTI: Port container operator DP World's new terminal in Djibouti opens
- Date: 10th February 2009
- Summary: DORALEH, DJIBOUTI (FEBRUARY 7, 2009) (REUTERS) SOLDIER ON GUARD AS TRUCK DRIVES THROUGH PORT SECURITY MEN ON GUARD AS SHIP ARRIVES AT PORT DP WORLD SIGN ON QUAYSIDE AS TRUCKS ARE LOADED WITH CARGO WORKERS ON BOARD SHIP SOUNDBITE (English) SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM, CHAIRMAN OF DUBAI WORLD, SAYING: "The port business, naturally, it all depends on import and export. So far we haven't seen a drastic slowdown. We've seen... 2008 was very good and we are monitoring the numbers in January to compare with the previous month and we will be able to give numbers." CARGO IN PORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM, CHAIRMAN OF DUBAI WORLD, SAYING: "Let me tell you, when you talk about Africa, you talk about the strategic location that Djibouti has, connecting the Mediterranean to Asia."
- Embargoed: 25th February 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Djibouti
- Country: Djibouti
- Topics: Industry,Transport
- Reuters ID: LVABX3Z14DK4AYRM2BURH7OP6GVC
- Story Text: Port container operator DP World's new terminal in Djibouti was formally opened on Saturday (February 7).
Djibouti's Doraleh terminal will be able to handle 1.2 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) annually, the largest and most modern terminal in East Africa. Its size means it can easily accommodate the largest ships in service.
Chairman of DP World's parent company, Dubai World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was among 400 people to attend the opening ceremony for the new terminal.
Bin Sulayem denied that there was any significant slowdown in the port business as a result of the global financial crisis.
"The port business, naturally, it all depends on import and export. So far we haven't seen a drastic slowdown. We've seen... 2008 was very good and we are monitoring the numbers in January to compare with the previous month and we will be able to give numbers," he said.
Bin Sulayem stressed the importance of Djibouti's location.
"When you talk about Africa, you talk about the strategic location that Djibouti has, connecting the Mediterranean to Asia," bin Sulayem told reporters at the opening ceremony.
In 2000, DP World and the Djibouti Government established a joint venture, with DP World being awarded a 20 year concession to operate the Port of Djibouti. That successful partnership led to the joint venture investing in building the nearby Doraleh container terminal.
DP World's ultimate parent Dubai World has also invested substantially in Djibouti through its other companies, including in a hotel, a free zone and customs operations.
In a model that emphasises the development of local talent, DP World has used Djibouti trainees to help ramp up operations at the company's other African terminals, such as Dakar in Senegal. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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