President of Senegal receives Sultan bin Sulayem, acclaims DP World’s efforts in Dakar

DUBAI- President of Senegal Mr. Macky Sall received H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World & Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation. They discussed means to enhance cooperation in managing and developing ports, as well as providing the foreign trade movement in Senegal and West Africa with best services through DP World – Dakar.

The President of Senegal Republic acclaimed the role of DP World in enhancing ports industry around the globe.

He expressed his country’s desire to boost cooperation with DP World to achieve optimal results in the growth of foreign trade, through the high-quality services offered by DP World Dakar Terminal.

Mr. Sall expressed his pride and contentment at the partnership with DP World, commending its leading role in developing ports infrastructure in the country. “This partnership has a substantial positive impact on supporting the Senegalese economy, owing to the safe and healthy investment environment in the country which offered DP World a unique opportunity to harness its wide expertise in the global ports industry to develop Senegal’s port logistics sector.”

The President further said, “We hope that DP World’s operations will continue to expand in Senegal. And we are willing to provide whatever is needed by the company to further enhance our mutual interests.”  

Sultan bin Sulayem stressed that “DP World is also committed to boosting cooperation with Senegal, to enhance the role of DP World Dakar in supporting the economic growth in Senegal, in keeping with our global commitment to utilize our long-standing expertise in managing 65 ports worldwide in developing the ports industry. Meeting regularly with international decision makers is aimed at boosting our partnerships for the service of global trade and offering best services at our ports.”

“DP World Dakar has become a major contributor to Senegal’s expanding economy, supporting its future long-term development. It is strategically positioned in West Africa, being a gateway to the whole region. For this reason, we strive to upgrade our services and constantly follow up with Senegal’s officials regarding work development at the terminal,” added DP World Chairman.

Dubai’s foreign trade with Senegal scored an increase of 30% for the first half of 2014 mounting up to AED 1.126 bn, compared to AED 864 bn for the same in 2013. Dakar is a key station for passengers flying from Dubai to West Africa. Emirates Airlines has five weekly scheduled flights to Dakar.

DP World- Dakar Terminal offers a year-round direct access with no tidal restrictions, window berthing and 24/7 ship and yard operations, including ships and containers handling .

The terminal is the favoured first-port of call for vessels southbound from Europe. Good road network connections offer swift transit times for cargo bound for Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gambia. With its onsite rail terminal, Dakar Port is the historic gateway to Bamako, Mali.

DP World Dakar has created more than 200 jobs for local Senegalese people. Under the company’s management, specialised training has been given to terminal employees to bring operational efficiencies in line with DP World’s global standards.

DP World has operated DP World Dakar since 2008, and has invested in building new terminal at the facility, doubling capacity in 2011 to over 600,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) and making DP World Dakar West Africa’s largest and most modern container terminal.

DP World owns 90% of Dakar Container Terminal. The port of Dakar is the region’s first port facility to implement the pre-booking system of berthing slots for inbound vessels. DP World won the contract for operation  and development of “Future” Container Terminal in the Dakar port, in addition to acquiring the exclusive right to develop the new Port du Futur container terminal.