DP World's deep-water port project in DR Congo moves forward
DP World, a global leader in trade and logistics, has selected Mota-Engil, a renowned and experienced construction company, to lead the development of the Banana Port, a vital project that will strengthen the DRC's position as a key trade hub.
This partnership marks a major milestone in the realization of the Banana Port project, which is set to transform the country's trade landscape by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, reducing cost for businesses, and reinforcing the DRC's economic independence.
Located in Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the Banana Port represents a major investment in the DRC's infrastructure. As the DRC's single maritime gateway for containerized cargo, it will streamline trade processes, centralize all administrative and customs operations, and enhance the government's visibility and control over foreign trade operations.
The Banana Port will be developed in phases with the first phase designed to accommodate the world's largest vessels and featuring a 600-metre quay, handling capacity of 450,000 TEUs per year and storage 30 hectares of storage area. The second phase will extend the quay wall by over 2 kilometers. The port is a DP World investment with the participation of British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution and impact investor.
The construction of the port will involve numerous companies, including local enterprises and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, providing new opportunities for Congolese workers and businesses. As the country's first fully-equipped maritime gateway, it will cut transport costs, improve trade efficiency, and support local industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.
Mota-Engil, a leading engineering and construction firm with decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, brings its extensive expertise in port development, transportation infrastructure, and logistics solutions. With a strong presence across Africa, Mota-Engil has successfully delivered projects that drive economic growth and regional connectivity. The company's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and high-quality standards aligns with DP World's vision for the Banana Port.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, emphasized the strategic importance of this development: 'The Banana Port is a transformative project that will reshape the trade and logistics landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo. By partnering with Mota-Engil, we are ensuring that this world-class infrastructure is built to the highest standards, fostering economic growth and creating new opportunities for the Congolese people. DP World remains committed to delivering a world-class port that empowers the people of the DRC. This project will transform trade, create jobs, and strengthen the country's economy for generations to come.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
a day ago
- Hi Dubai
DP World Launches Global Clubhouse Initiative to Make Golf Accessible to Youth
DP World has unveiled a new global initiative aimed at making golf more accessible to underserved youth, launching its first purpose-built Clubhouse in Cape Town, South Africa. The project builds on the success of DP World's Second Life Container Initiative, which repurposed shipping containers to distribute over 350,000 golf balls worldwide. Now, through the Clubhouse program, the company is taking a step further—transforming unused containers into fully equipped golf hubs tailored to the needs of grassroots programs around the world. Each Clubhouse will offer essential golf equipment, storage, and training aids, delivered using DP World's logistics network. The aim is to create safe, engaging environments for young players to learn and grow through golf, particularly in communities with limited access to the sport. The first unit was donated in partnership with the Sally Little Golf Trust, a South African non-profit dedicated to empowering young women through golf. The Trust uses the sport to instill values like honesty, integrity, respect, and perseverance—skills seen as critical for academic and personal development. 'At DP World, we believe in creating opportunities to empower young people,' said Daniel van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer. 'This initiative reflects how our logistics expertise and global partnerships can help open doors for the next generation.' The Clubhouse roll-out will continue in tandem with key events in the golf calendar, including the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup in New York this September. As one of the world's leading logistics providers, DP World is giving new life to its containers—while shaping a more inclusive future for the game of golf. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Global Trade Finance Gap Targeted by DP World–JPMorgan Deal
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai DP World Trade Finance and JPMorgan have struck an alliance designed to improve working capital availability in emerging economies, responding to an estimated global trade finance shortfall of US $2.5 trillion. The partnership combines DP World's logistics capabilities with JPMorgan's financial services to distribute risk on trade finance deals, ensuring underserved enterprises can access vital credit. The signature transaction under this collaboration financed a leading food company's procurement of cocoa from Côte d'Ivoire, unlocking more than US $70 million in annual sourcing. By investing working capital at scale, the deal bolstered local supply chains and stimulated financial flows in a region frequently sidelined by banks due to weak credit data. ADVERTISEMENT Raj Jit Singh Wallia, Board Member at DP World Trade Finance, emphasised the structure of the model: 'By leveraging risk‑sharing mechanisms and combining them with logistics in one ecosystem, we reduce the overall credit risk profile and enhance liquidity in emerging markets'. His comments highlight DP World's strategy to fuse its global infrastructure with financing support, catalysing smoother transactions across regions including Sub‑Saharan Africa and Central Asia. James Fraser, Global Head of Trade & Working Capital at JPMorgan, noted that the bank's participation allows the pair to 'offer innovative financing solutions that provide working capital to businesses while mitigating risk through DP World's expertise'. Fraser added the partnership seeks to expand structured trade finance offerings in key emerging markets, aligning with JPMorgan's wider corporate strategy of fostering inclusive global commerce. The global trade finance deficit disproportionately impacts small‑ and mid‑sized enterprises in developing markets. Traditional lenders often abstain from financing these firms due to limited credit histories. The DP World–JPMorgan model directly addresses this, using logistics data and institutional backing to underwrite financing where conventional metrics fall short. Experts say such initiatives are gaining traction. Trade finance innovators like fintech firms Wisers and Drip Capital have already used data analytics and invoice financing to support SMEs in India, Mexico and the United States. DP World's initiative mirrors this trend but at a larger scale by leveraging its global footprint alongside JPMorgan's capital. Industry analysts observe that although supply chain disruptions—triggered by geopolitical events and climate‑related risks—persist, access to credit remains a primary bottleneck for sustained trade growth. Finance‑logistics alliances offer one solution, but scalability and consistency depend on transparent data-sharing and regulatory cooperation in host countries. Regulators in major markets are taking note. Some central banks in Africa and Central Asia have pledged to promote digitised trade documentation and credit scoring tools, easing risk assessments for financiers. While DP World and JPMorgan refrain from naming future markets, signals suggest possible pilot expansions into Southeast Asia and Latin America. A senior trade economist noted that combining logistics visibility with credit issuance 'can de-risk deals that would otherwise be considered too small or opaque for global banks'. In such models, DP World's shipment tracking and trade flow datasets underpin underwriting, while JPMorgan's funds back the exposure. Critics argue that deeper structural obstacles remain: SMEs require improvements in digital infrastructure, regulatory certainty, and legal frameworks before enduring scaled lending becomes viable. Risk pooling alone may not overcome entrenched informality in supply chains. Nevertheless, proponents suggest that DP World's ecosystem model could serve as a blueprint for other logistics companies to co‑finance trade flows. As global trade recovers from pandemic‑related disruptions and realigns with new geopolitical realities, mechanisms enabling more equitable trade inclusion are gaining importance. With its pre‑existing port and inland logistics network, DP World offers JPMorgan market penetration and risk diversification, while the bank adds financial credibility.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
DP World, Mawani inaugurate $800mln terminal to boost global trade connectivity
DP World and Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) launched the South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, supporting DP World's SAR 3 billion ($800 million) expansion and development plans. The program aims to upgrade the terminal and enhance Saudi Arabia's position as a leading global hub connecting trade routes across Asia, Africa and Europe, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM). The three-year project transformed South Container Terminal into one of the region's most advanced and sustainable container terminals. This is in addition to more than doubling the capacity from 1.80 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs. Under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement, the initiative also includes future capacity of 5 million TEUs, with additional ship-to-shore equipment to be deployed amid growing demands. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group's Chairman and CEO, said: 'This expansion builds on our 25-year legacy in Jeddah and reinforces our commitment to driving trade growth in the region. With this modernized terminal, we are enhancing efficiency, improving supply chain resilience and creating new trade opportunities for the Kingdom and beyond for decades to come.' With completion scheduled for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, the latest expansion backs Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of fostering trade connectivity and economic diversification. The terminal's modernization integrates advanced automation and digitalization to enhance operational efficiency, with smart systems reducing gate transaction times from two minutes to just 10 seconds. Automated and electrified yard cranes were deployed, along with an expanded fleet of quay cranes that will expand from 14 to 17 by the end of 2025, reaching 22 as the terminal scales up to 5 million TEUs. In the same vein, DP World is developing a facility for inspecting up to 75 reefers at one time, the biggest such port-centric facility in the Kingdom. The terminal spans a total quay length of 2,150 meters, including a deep-water quay with an 18-meter depth, capable of accommodating up to five ultra-large container vessels simultaneously. Adjacent to the terminal, DP World is investing in the 415,000 square meter Jeddah Logistics Park, offering warehousing, distribution and freight forwarding services. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
