New project: deep-water port in Senegal
Dakar at maximum capacity
The Port of Dakar is nearing its maximum capacity, and the surrounding area is fully saturated. To address this challenge, DP World—a global leader in logistics and trade and the current operator of Dakar’s container terminal—is developing a new port in Ndayane, located 50 km south of the capital. This project will significantly enhance Senegal’s container handling capacity.
Jan De Nul is responsible for the five-kilometre access channel, which will involve dredging ten million cubic metres of soil.
Dominique Bombaert, Area Manager for Senegal at Jan De Nul:
This is no easy task, as the seabed in the channel consists mainly of hard rock and the conditions in the Atlantic Ocean can be rough. You need a powerful dredger that is also large enough to continue working in challenging wave conditions. That is why we deploy our largest and most powerful cutter suction dredger, the Willem Van Rubroeck, to get the job done.
"The seabed in the Atlantic Ocean consists mainly of hard rock and the conditions can be rough. We are deploying our largest and most powerful cutter suction dredger to get the job done."
89 hectares of reclaimed land
The dredged material will be used to reclaim an area of 89 hectares from the sea, which will serve as a terminal for container storage and maritime services. Jan De Nul has already started dredging the access channel. In total, the works are expected to take two and a half years to complete.
Once completed, the port of Ndayane will be able to simultaneously accommodate two of the world's largest container ships, making it one of the largest port in West Africa. For Senegal, this means economic growth and jobs.
Modernising ports worldwide
The planning and execution of the works are being carried out with care, minimizing any negative environmental impact. An extensive environmental impact study has been conducted, including research into sensitive areas such as seagrass fields. In addition, the maritime contractor monitors water quality during the execution of the project and takes the presence of marine mammals and turtles into account.
Jan De Nul, a company with Belgian roots, is also working on a new container quay for the port of Valencia, and a new deep-water port in Georgia is in the pipeline. The company is leaving its mark on the modernisation of ports worldwide.
Dominique Bombaert:
Jan De Nul positions itself as World Builders, experts in water, land, and energy. With the higher purpose of preserving or improving the quality of life for future generations. Accessible ports that are resilient to the effects of climate change are key to our global economy. With this project, we are making a valuable contribution to global trade.
