DP World’s deep-water port project in Congo moves forward

DP World has selected Mota-Engil, a renowned and experienced construction company, to lead the development of the Banana Port, a vital project that will strengthen the DRC’s position as a key trade hub.

This partnership marks a major milestone in realising the Banana Port project, which is set to transform the country’s trade landscape by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, reducing business costs, and reinforcing the DRC’s economic independence. The Banana Port will be developed in phases with the first phase designed to accommodate the world’s largest vessels and featuring a 600-metre quay, handling capacity of 450,000 TEUs per year and storage 30 hectares of storage area. The second phase will extend the quay wall by over 2 kilometres.

The construction of the port will involve numerous companies, including local enterprises and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, providing new opportunities for Congolese workers and businesses.

As the country’s first fully-equipped maritime gateway, it will cut transport costs, improve trade efficiency, and support local industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said that DP World is committed to ensuring the construction of world-class infrastructure to the highest standards, boosting economic growth and creating new opportunities for the Congolese people.

Meanwhile on Wednesday DP World has launched a cutting-edge electric freight solution at Jebel Ali Port in partnership with Einride, marking a major step towards decarbonising terminal operations.

Now running around-the-clock, the first wave of the electric fleet is set to move over 204,000 twenty-foot containers annually, supporting DP World’s efforts to accelerate the transition to greener logistics.

The project is part of a groundbreaking partnership between DP World and Einride signed in May 2024 to electrify inter-terminal container flows at Jebel Ali Port, the largest seaport in the Middle East. It aligns with DP World’s broader sustainability agenda which includes electrifying its fleet of internal terminal vehicles (ITVs) and implementing innovative partnerships to reduce emissions.

The initiative will reduce 14,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually, compared to diesel operations, supporting DP World’s science-based targets (SBTi) and ambition to make global trade smarter and greener.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, said, “Decarbonising logistics is a core priority for DP World. We are actively electrifying our operations, integrating AI-powered solutions and working closely with our partners like Einride to support our net zero goals. As the 10th busiest port globally, Jebel Ali is setting the benchmark for the electrification of transport in high-volume trade hubs.”

Robert Falck, CEO and Founder at Einride, said, “This marks the first of many milestones as we set out to have the largest deployment of electric, autonomous freight mobility in the Middle East. The UAE is uniquely positioned to lead this sustainable transition given its forward-thinking approach to innovation, and we are proud to drive this in partnership with DP World.”

The electric fleet is being deployed as part of a multi-phased rollout, which integrates Einride’s full platform, including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and the AI-driven Einride Saga operating system.

A second wave will follow later this year, and the full fleet in 2026 - capable of moving 2 million twenty-foot containers annually. This tiered deployment uses Einride’s data-driven analysis to optimise cost and operational efficiency while laying the groundwork for future autonomous deployment.

DP World has completed a major $400 million expansion project at the Port of Callao in Peru in 2024, boosting container handling capacity at the South Terminal by 80 per cent and solidifying Callao’s position as the key gateway for global trade on the west coast of South America.

The Bicentennial Pier expansion project extends the pier from 650 meters to 1,050 meters, making Callao one of the few ports in South America capable of accommodating three vessels (or two mega-vessels) simultaneously.

The project increases handling capacity from 1.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year to 2.7 million TEUs, while the container yard space has also been expanded to a total of 40 hectares.

The project is a key part of DP World’s ambitions for Latin America, announced last month. Given its proximity to the capital, Lima and complementing the growth of nearby Jorge Chávez Airport, the development elevates the Port of Callao from an efficient port to a premier logistics hub for the entire region.