Friday May 26, 2023
The World Bank's CPPI report highlights Djibouti and Berbera ports' strategic significance and growth potential in global trade.
An aerial view of Djibouti sea port. Image: EPA/Mazen Mahdi
Mogadishu (HOL) - The World Bank's latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) report ranks Djibouti and Berbera ports as the leading container ports in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, emphasizing their strategic importance in enhancing regional trade and connectivity. Developed by the World Bank's Transport Global Practice and S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Intelligence & Analytics division, the report spotlights the expanding influence of Sub-Saharan Africa's container shipping industry.
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Securing the top regional spot and an impressive overall global ranking of 26, Djibouti Port stands at the junction of key shipping lanes. Its modern infrastructure and strategic location have established it as a crucial global trade gateway connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Djibouti Port, known for its efficiency and seamless supply chain management, significantly contributes to regional integration and economic growth.Berbera Port in Somaliland follows closely with an overall ranking of 144. This notable progress is due to ongoing efforts to streamline operations, enhance infrastructure, and improve service quality. Berbera Port's unwavering commitment to excellence has cemented its role in the SSA's container shipping industry.
"We deserve recognition for the work we have done and the services we provide, such as unloading and loading. Our efforts have put us in our current position," said Berbera Port Manager Saeed Hassan Abdillahi to the BBC Somali Service earlier this week.
The Mogadishu Port was ranked 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a global rank of 221.
The rankings underscore Djibouti and Berbera ports' potential to serve as pivotal hubs for international trade, attracting worldwide attention and promoting regional economic development. The strategic significance of these ports transcends their national borders, positioning them as key facilitators of regional growth and connectivity.
With its strategic location, Djibouti Port is a critical refuelling and transshipment center, primarily serving as the maritime outlet for Ethiopia's imports and exports. Approximately 2,500 ships dock at Djibouti's port daily, making it indispensable for global trade and countering regional security threats such as terrorism and piracy.
DP World, in partnership with the government of Somaliland, operates Berbera Port and has made significant investments in infrastructure and logistics. Its commitment to efficiency and continuous modernization efforts have shaped it as a vital regional trade and logistics hub, attracting international recognition and facilitating cross-border goods movement.
The CPPI report's acknowledgment of Djibouti and Berbera ports as top performers signals Sub-Saharan Africa's burgeoning role in international trade. As a comprehensive assessment tool, the CPPI report significantly contributes to evaluating container ports and allows port authorities, governments, shipping lines, and other trade and logistics entities to pinpoint areas of improvement and optimize supply chain operations.
The CPPI rankings for container ports in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region are as follows:
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