A new deep-water port under construction in Ndayane, located 50 kilometers south of the capital city, is set to become a game-changer for Senegal’s trade and logistics sector.
Once completed, the port will be capable of accommodating two of the world’s largest container ships simultaneously, helping to ease congestion at the Port of Dakar, which is rapidly reaching its maximum capacity. The expansion is expected to significantly boost Senegal’s container handling capacity and become a critical driver for economic growth.
Currently, the Port of Dakar is fully saturated, limiting its ability to handle the growing volume of cargo. As a solution, DP World, the operator of Dakar’s container terminal, has spearheaded the development of this new port.
Jan De Nul has been entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the port’s access channel. The project involves dredging ten million cubic meters of soil and constructing an 89-hectare platform for maritime services and container storage. The access channel will span five kilometers, and the challenges associated with dredging are considerable, particularly due to the hard rock seabed and the often rough conditions of the Atlantic Ocean.
This is no easy task, as the seabed in the channel consists mainly of hard rock, and the conditions in the Atlantic Ocean can be rough. You need a powerful dredger that is also large enough to continue working in challenging wave conditions. That is why we deploy our largest and most powerful cutter suction dredger, the Willem Van Rubroeck, to get the job done.
… said Dominique Bombaert, Area Manager for Senegal at Jan De Nul
Once operational, the Ndayane port will play a pivotal role in not only enhancing the capacity of Senegal’s ports but also in positioning the country as a strategic hub for international trade in West Africa.
