Despite a growing number of cargo vessels being rerouted to Djibouti, the Doraleh Multipurpose Port (DMP)—the nation’s largest port facility—has announced that it has ample waiting and storage capacity to handle the incoming goods.
The facility, which processes a broad range of import and export cargo, reports a steady increase in vessels diverting from Jebel Ali Port near the Strait of Hormuz, driven by ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Officials from DMP told Capital that although the terminal is currently operating at a high level of activity, its extensive storage infrastructure is more than capable of accommodating the sudden influx of cargo—alongside its regular services for Ethiopian transit and transshipment operations.
They noted that shipments originally destined for Dubai and other parts of the Persian Gulf are now being redirected to DMP. The facility spans over 192 hectares, in addition to a dedicated yard within the Free Zone, and is well equipped to manage the surge.
“Our berths are operating at full capacity, with up to five vessels simultaneously loading or unloading cargo. As a result, we are experiencing no congestion at the anchorage,” DMP officials told Capital.
They added that only seven vessels are currently waiting to dock at one of Djibouti’s deep-sea ports.
During a site visit by a Capital reporter on April 7, a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel operated by Kai Diang Shipping Company was observed reloading modern vehicles originally shipped from China to Jebel Ali Port. The client had decided to return the cargo to the Far East, while some 440 vessels remained at DMP serving Ethiopian customers.
The port features a silo with a capacity of 85,000 tons for grain and another 185,000‑ton silo for fertilizer, in addition to a large warehouse for bagged cargo. DMP’s bulk terminal operates three quays dedicated to handling wheat, fertilizer, and other commodities.
Meanwhile, the Doraleh container terminal—SGTD (Société de Gestion du Terminal de Doraleh), which exclusively manages containerized cargo—reported that half of its current operations consist of transshipment. The facility, which adheres to high operational standards, has recently added four Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) cranes, enabling it to handle vessels of up to 23,000 TEUs—the largest class of vessel at this stage. SGTD stated that its operational pace has significantly accelerated due to the influx of diverted vessels.
The terminal handles 1.2 million TEUs per annum, with a double capacity, and reports that half of its throughput is transshipment. “We have ample capacity to handle huge volumes,” officials added.
SGTD is currently the only facility connected to the Ethio‑Djibouti Railway, allowing for the transport of containerized cargo to and from Ethiopia.
DMP officials also disclosed that they have expanded the railway cargo handling system—which extends 800 meters from the port—to meet growing demand from Ethiopia.
The chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), Aboubaker Omar Hadi, has announced that despite a surge in incoming vessels driven by the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, priority will be given to cargo destined for Ethiopia.
Regarding the opportunity to promote Djibouti as a key transshipment hub in global logistics, the chairman struck a cautious tone, declining to make bold promotional moves. “We are visible enough. We don’t want to be more visible,” he told Capital on Monday. “It’s very dangerous to be more visible.”
