A newly launched shipping route connecting Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port with Berbera Port in Somaliland is set to elevate Berbera’s status as a vital maritime gateway and logistics hub in East Africa, while extending DP World’s global trade reach.
Running every nine days, the new route strengthens trade ties between the Gulf and East Africa by offering a faster, more reliable maritime connection to Somaliland. With scheduled calls at Aden and Djibouti, the service boosts regional port connectivity and opens greater access to markets across the Horn of Africa.
From Berbera, goods can move inland to destinations like Ethiopia, offering an alternative to traditional routes dependent on Djibouti Port and lengthy overland transport. The service improves predictability in transit times and reduces the impact of regional transport bottlenecks.
Berbera Port now features a 1,050-metre quay, including a 400-metre section capable of accommodating Triple E-class vessels. The port is equipped with advanced facilities for bulk and breakbulk cargo handling and can process up to four million head of livestock annually. It also hosts the region’s most modern container terminal and the Berbera Special Economic Zone (BSEZ).
DP World’s new Jebel Ali–Berbera shipping link, operating every nine days, is a strategic addition to its global logistics network and reinforces Berbera’s emerging role as a regional trade hub.
Ganesh Raj, Group Chief Operating Officer of 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. We are supporting the growth of resilient, sustainable corridors that unlock prosperity for our partners, customers and the communities we serve.”
In the Horn of Africa, DP World holds a 58.5% stake in Berbera’s container and general cargo terminal, which offers deep-water access to key East-West trade routes. The adjacent Berbera Economic Zone was developed to accelerate industrial growth in the region. Already, Berbera has facilitated the export of more than 4.1 million head of livestock annually, contributing to a trade valued at over US$1 billion.
