Dredger Willem Van Rubroeck undertaking a major infrastructure project in Senegal

The arrival of Jan De Nul’s cutter suction dredger Willem Van Rubroeck in Ndayane this month marks the start of maritime works for the $1.2 billion Port of Ndayane Project that will transform Senegal into a major center for global trade.

The Willem Van Rubroeck will dredge a 5 km-long shipping channel — an essential step in building this state-of-the-art, high-capacity port designed to elevate Senegal’s trade infrastructure.

According to DP World, Phase 1 of the project includes an 840m quay and a 5 km channel capable of accommodating the world’s largest container ships. The construction in this phase will create a capacity to handle 1.2 million TEUs annually.

Phase 2 will add a further 410m quay, positioning Ndayane as a leading logistics hub in West Africa.

The Port of Ndayane builds on DP World’s success at the Port of Dakar, which has grown from handling 300,000 TEUs in 2008 to 800,000 TEUs in 2023.

However, the Dakar port’s location within a densely urbanized area limits expansion, making Ndayane a strategic solution to support Senegal’s long-term trade and economic growth ambitions.