DRC’s First Deep-Sea Port
In December 2021, DP World and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed the final agreement to develop Banana Port. The conclusion of the Collaboration Agreement follows the signing of a term sheet earlier in 2021, between DP World and the DRC Government, which summarized 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.
DP World will develop an initial 600-meter 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 (20-foot equivalent units) per year, and a 30-hectare yard to store containers. The port will feature the latest technology and equipment.
The development of the Banana Port will bring significant cost and time savings for the country’s trade, as it will attract more direct calls from larger vessels from Asia and Europe.
It will also directly benefit the Kongo Central province in terms of economic development, as the port will attract foreign direct investment to the surrounding area, and stimulate local trade and the economy.
