Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) has launched the construction of the Djibouti ship repair yard project as part the vision to make East Africa a massive logistics hub.
The project commencement was officially kicked off by the President Ismail Omar Guelleh at Damerjog on Thursday November 26.
Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairperson of DPFZA, said that the ship yard project is another milestone that will drive forward Djibouti’s vision to become a global trade and logistics hub.
“Today’s ship repair yard supplements this model, ensuring that we are a one-stop-shop, offering integrated maritime services for ocean going vessels, and that we harness the blue economy to drive forward Djibouti’s socio-economic development,” he said.
“In line with the vision of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, we initiated in 2013 the aim to turn Djibouti into an international maritime centre. Following several milestones, we are now launching the construction of another key element of that vision,” Aboubaker added.
DPFZA recently launched the regeneration of the historical Port of Djibouti into a business centre and the construction of a liquid bulk port in Djibouti Damerjog Industrial Park, representing the final steps in the implementation of the Port-Park-City concept.
According to DPFZA ,the ship repair yard supplements this model, ensuring the concept of a one-stop-shop, offering integrated maritime services for ocean going vessels, and that harness the blue economy to drive forward Djibouti’s socio-economic development.
The ship repair yard will provide propeller, shaft, rudder, painting; small repair works overhauls (pumps, valves, navigation systems, engines, and cranes) and is equipped to service panamax vessels. The facility will be delivered in 2 years.
Damen Shipyard will be providing trainings on ship repair skills for engineers. Once completed the project will generate over 300 jobs directly and 1500 indirectly.
Djibouti, the major outlet for Ethiopian cargo, is undertaking massive projects in the logistics sector to make the country the most favorable destination on the logistics sector not only in the region but in the continent.
Recently the country had enabled to make operational three ports including the salt Port of Goubet. DPFZA recently made effective the first shipping lines with one vessel to address the regional ports on cargo that come to Djibouti from different corners of the world.
