DP World selects Mota-Engil for banana port development in DRC
The port is set to boost the Democratic Republic of Congo’s trade capacity, creating jobs and improving logistics efficiency.
DRC – DP World has appointed construction company Mota-Engil to oversee the development of the Banana Port in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This project is expected to strengthen the country’s trade infrastructure and position it as a key player in regional trade.
Located in the Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the Banana Port will be the DRC’s only deep-water maritime gateway for containerized cargo.
The facility aims to streamline customs and administrative processes, improve trade efficiency, and enhance government oversight of foreign trade.
The project will be developed in phases. The first phase includes a 600-meter quay designed to accommodate large vessels, a handling capacity of 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year, and a 30-hectare storage area.
The second phase will extend the quay wall by more than two kilometers, increasing the port’s capacity. DP World is funding the project with support from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution.
The construction process will involve multiple companies, including local firms, and is projected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. By improving logistics, the port is expected to lower transport costs and benefit industries such as agriculture and manufacturing.
Mota-Engil, which has worked on large-scale infrastructure projects across Africa, will lead the construction. The company has prior experience in port development, transportation, and logistics.
DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem emphasized the economic potential of the project, stating, “This port will significantly enhance trade logistics and contribute to economic development in the DRC.”
DP World reports record revenue growth
In related news, DP World announced a record revenue of US$20 billion for the year ending December 31, 2024. This marks a 10 percent increase from the previous year, driven by strong performance in ports and terminals and the integration of newly acquired assets.
Despite the revenue growth, the company reported a slight decline in profit, which fell by two percent from US$1.51 billion in 2023 to US$1.48 billion in 2024.
However, revenue per TEU rose by 13.9 percent, supported by high activity in the Middle East and the Americas. The company surpassed 100 million TEUs in capacity, achieved through strategic infrastructure investments.
“We are proud to report record revenue of $20 billion and record EBITDA of $5.5 billion for 2024, a remarkable achievement given the complex geopolitical landscape,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
“These results demonstrate the benefits of our strategic focus on high-margin cargo, end-to-end integrated supply chain solutions and disciplined cost optimization.”
DP World’s capital expenditures reached US$2.2 billion in 2024, slightly higher than the US$2.1 billion spent in 2023.
The company plans to invest approximately US$2.5 billion in 2025, with key projects in Jebel Ali (UAE), Tuna Tekra (India), London Gateway (UK), Ndayane (Senegal), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
