In a move poised to reshape regional logistics, DP World, the Dubai-based global ports operator, has officially launched a new strategic shipping route connecting Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates with Berbera Port in Somaliland.
The service, operating every nine days, is set to streamline cargo flows between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, enhancing supply chain efficiency and fostering economic growth in East Africa.
The inaugural sailing marks a significant expansion of DP World’s integrated network, leveraging its 51% stake in Berbera Port operations—a partnership forged in 2016 with the Somaliland government.
This direct line eliminates previous transshipment dependencies, reducing transit times and costs for exporters and importers alike.This route not only strengthens DP World’s global footprint but also positions Berbera as a key maritime and logistics hub for the region.
By connecting Jebel Ali’s world-class infrastructure with Berbera’s growing capabilities, the new route unlocks opportunities for trade across Africa and beyond.
Berbera Port, which has seen transformative investments totaling up to $442 million under DP World’s master plan, now boasts a modern container terminal capable of handling up to 500,000 TEUs annually—a fivefold increase from its pre-expansion capacity. The facility features a 400-meter quay with a 17-meter draft, accommodating the largest vessels in service today, and is complemented by the adjacent Berbera Economic Zone.
Modeled after Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, this incentive-driven hub offers streamlined company formation, tax advantages, and one-stop services for investors targeting the Ethiopian market and the broader Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia, a landlocked powerhouse with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, relies heavily on Berbera for over 20% of its imports, facilitated by the upgraded Berbera Corridor—a vital trade artery linking the port to inland hubs like Hargeisa and Wajaale.
DP World’s commitment extends further, with a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport to invest up to $1 billion over the next decade in infrastructure, including roads and multimodal logistics.Industry analysts hail the launch as a timely response to geopolitical shifts and supply chain disruptions.
DP World, which operates 77 terminals across six continents and handles 70 million TEUs annually, continues to prioritize sustainability in its expansions. While specifics on the new route’s vessel emissions weren’t disclosed, the operator’s recent tenfold growth in electric internal terminal vehicles at Jebel Ali—now totaling 146 units—signals broader green initiatives, slashing diesel use and aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
As the first vessel sets sail, stakeholders anticipate ripple effects: job creation in Somaliland’s logistics sector, boosted FDI in Berbera’s economic zone, and deeper UAE-Africa ties