Djibouti has inaugurated the Djibouti Ship Repair Yard, a new repair facility developed in partnership with Damen Shipyards and supported by a floating dock.
The project was financed with $120 million from Invest International of the Netherlands and marks a major step in Djibouti’s maritime and industrial development. According to the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, the yard is the largest ship repair facility in the Red Sea and East Africa.
Its floating dock measures 217 m in length and 43 m in width, with a lifting capacity of 20,100 tonnes. The yard was built to serve a broad range of vessels and to carry out both preventive maintenance and repair work, drawing on international and local expertise.
President Guelleh said the project had remained a national priority because Djibouti sits at the entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.
Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, said the facility would help strengthen Djibouti’s role as a maritime hub under the country’s Vision 2035 framework.
Hassan Houmed Ibrahim, Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment, said the yard would improve port competitiveness, support the blue economy and reinforce Djibouti’s regional position.
