DRC – Emirati multinational logistics company DP World and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of the deep-sea port at Banana.
The 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 the 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 37-kilometer coastline on the Atlantic Ocean,” a statement from DP World indicated.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, added: “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. The port will enhance the country’s export capabilities and give it affordable access to international markets.”
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.
Commenting on the agreement, 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-meter quay with an 18m draft capable of handling the largest vessels in operation and will have a container handling capacity of about 450,000 TEUs annually, and a 30-hectare yard to store containers.
The port will feature the latest technology and equipment.
“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.”
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