Djibouti Inaugurates €107 Million Shipyard to Boost Maritime Industry

Djibouti, April 4, 2026 - The President of the Republic, Ismail Omar Guelleh, on Thursday presided over the inauguration of the Djibouti Ship Repair Yard (DSRY), a major maritime infrastructure project aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a regional shipping hub.

Developed through a partnership with Damen Shipyards Group and financed by Invest International, the project represents an investment of approximately €107.5 million.

The facility, described as the largest of its kind in the Red Sea and East Africa, includes a floating dock measuring 217 meters in length and 43 meters in width, with a lifting capacity of up to 20,100 tons. It is designed to serve vessels transiting the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Guelleh подчеркнул the strategic importance of the new infrastructure, highlighting Djibouti’s geographic position at the entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He noted that the country has a responsibility to provide maintenance and repair services to passing vessels, positioning the project as part of a broader national strategy for maritime and industrial development.

Beyond infrastructure, the project is expected to generate around 350 direct jobs and up to 1,400 indirect jobs, while also contributing to skills development in technical fields.

Minister of Infrastructure Hassan Houmed described the shipyard as a “strategic national lever” to enhance port competitiveness and support the growth of the blue economy. Similarly, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, head of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, подчеркнул its role in reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading maritime hub under its Vision 2035 framework.

For his part, Arnout Damen, Chairman of Damen Shipyards, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring the long-term success and operational excellence of the facility.

The inauguration of the DSRY marks a significant milestone in Djibouti’s efforts to expand its maritime capabilities and strengthen its role in regional and global trade.