On April 4, officials in Djibouti celebrated the inauguration of the Djibouti Ship Repair Yard (DSRY), a significant advancement for the nation’s maritime economy. This facility is now the largest ship repair yard in the Red Sea and East Africa, poised to deliver essential repair and maintenance services. President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh emphasized the project’s importance, citing Djibouti’s strategic position at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime corridor.
The DSRY project has been in development for a decade, with the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority first outlining plans in December 2016, initially targeting a September 2020 opening. The yard was developed in collaboration with Damen Shipyard and received a €107.5 million investment from Invest International, based in the Netherlands.
Spanning 80 hectares and featuring over 800 meters of berth, the yard recently welcomed a floating dock capable of lifting 20,100 tonnes. Work has commenced, with the first major vessel, the Djibouti-flagged containership Africa Sun, scheduled for dry-docking on October 15, 2025. The ship will undergo extensive repairs, including hull inspections and maintenance of its systems.
While no specific timeline for achieving full operational capacity has been provided, officials are optimistic about marketing the yard’s capabilities to attract international business.
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