A new maritime link between Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and Berbera in Somaliland aims to connect trade between the Gulf and East Africa.
Dubai (hornpost.com/) DP World has launched a new direct shipping service linking Jebel Ali Port in the UAE with Berbera Port in Somaliland, bonding trade routes between the Gulf and East Africa.
Operating every nine days, the service calls at Aden and Djibouti, offering faster, more reliable access to key regional markets. From Berbera, cargo can move onward to landlocked destinations such as Ethiopia, reducing dependence on longer and more congested routes through Djibouti.
The route offers greater predictability and fewer regional bottlenecks, positioning Berbera as a vital alternative for Gulf–Africa trade flows.
Ganesh Raj, Group Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services at DP World, said, “The Jebel Ali to Berbera service further complements DP World’s investment drive into Africa.”
“Building on the significant infrastructure we have developed across the continent; the service enhances connectivity for our customers as we continue to boost trade links between the Middle East and East Africa.”
Berbera’s regional role:
Berbera Port, jointly operated by DP World and the government of Somaliland, has undergone major expansion in recent years.
Its upgraded 1,050-metre quay includes a 400-metre berth capable of handling Triple-E vessels, while the port now features modern container and breakbulk facilities and a dedicated livestock terminal with a capacity of around four million heads per year.
DP World holds a 58.5% stake in the port’s container and general cargo terminal, providing deep-water access to major East–West shipping lanes. The adjacent Berbera Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) is designed to attract foreign investment and drive long-term industrial development.
Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO, DP World Horn of Africa, describes “The launch of this new corridor (as) a milestone in our ambition to build faster, safer, and more reliable trade routes. Our work in Berbera is already stimulating trade and industry, while supporting wider community development. “
Expanding Africa’s trade corridors:
DP World’s investments in Berbera are part of a broader $6 billion commitment to African infrastructure over the next five years. The company has already invested close to $3 billion in logistics assets across the continent, including the Kigali Logistics Platform in Rwanda and the Maputo Corridor in Mozambique.
In Berbera, vessel productivity has risen by 450% since DP World began operations in 2017. Container volumes have increased by 30% and general cargo throughput by 90%.
The port now handles more than 14 container vessels per month and has an annual capacity of 500,000 TEUs, with plans to expand to 2 million TEUs.
The company’s community initiatives also extend beyond logistics. Training programmed such as the “Solar Mamas” project, which develops solar-energy technicians, demonstrate how trade infrastructure can generate wider social benefits.
Connecting to inland markets:
Recent infrastructure upgrades have improved Berbera’s link to Ethiopia, including a 250-km road project and the 22.5-km Hargeisa Bypass. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the UK’s Department for International Development, these improvements are increasing the port’s role as a gateway to inland East Africa.
Raj added, “We are supporting the growth of resilient, sustainable corridors that unlock prosperity for our partners, customers, and the communities we serve.”
With Berbera emerging as a competitive alternative to traditional trade routes, the new Jebel Ali–Berbera service positions DP World at the center of Africa’s evolving logistics landscape, strengthening connectivity between the Middle East and one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.
Hornpost staff Reporter
Hargeisa, Somaliland
