DP World signs deal with Congo govt to develop Banana port

DP World and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a collaboration agreement for the development of the deep-sea port at Banana.

he agreement was signed in Kinshasa by Cherubin Okende Senga, Minister of Transport and Communication, Adele Kahinda Mayima, Minister of State for Portfolio, Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance, Aime Boji, Minister of State for Budget, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Suhail Al Banna, CEO and MD of Middle East and Africa Region.  DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi was also present on the occasion.

"The conclusion of the Collaboration Agreement follows the signing of a term sheet earlier this year between DP World and the DRC Government, which summarised the agreed amendments to the initial contract signed in 2018. This now paves the way for DP World to begin construction within 12 months of the DRC’s first deep-sea port, which will be located at Banana along the country’s 37km coastline on the Atlantic Ocean," according to an official statement from DP World

The development of the Banana Port is expected to bring significant cost and time savings for DRC’s trade as it will attract direct calls of larger vessels from Asia and Europe.

Tshisekedi said: “This port will transform the DRC into a trade hub in the region, and in particular, will benefit Kongo Central, a province which already has a port facility, with the creation of jobs, in addition to generating economic benefits and growth for our country.” 

The initial plan by DP World is to develop a 600-metre quay with an 18m draft capable of handling the largest vessels in operation. It will have a container handling capacity of about 450,000 TEUs annually, and a 30-hectare yard to store containers. 

“This agreement represents the vision of His Excellency President Tshisekedi and DP World to provide the DRC with a modern, world class port and logistics infrastructure to support the tremendous opportunities for trade in this country," said Sulayem. "The port will enhance the country’s export capabilities and give it affordable access to international markets.”