HARGEISA, Somaliland (HornPost) — Somaliland has welcomed the launch of a new direct shipping service linking Berbera Port with Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, a move officials say will reduce cargo delays, lower logistical costs and strengthen Berbera’s role in regional trade.
Ali Diriye Ahmed, managing director of the Somaliland Ports Authority, said the new service reflects the continued development of Berbera Port and growing interest from international shipping companies.
“Berbera Port has been progressing steadily, achieving new milestones day by day,” Ahmed told the media. He said the direct connection with Jebel Ali would introduce a shipping service that had not previously operated on the route.
Direct Route Aims to Reduce Delays and Costs
The service was established through cooperation between the Somaliland Ports Authority and DP World, the Dubai-based port operator that manages both Jebel Ali and Berbera ports.
Ahmed said the authorities reviewed existing cargo routes and identified the need to reduce the number of transshipments required to move goods from Dubai to Berbera.
Previously, some shipments passed through intermediate ports, including Jeddah and Djibouti, before reaching Berbera. Those additional stops could increase transit times and shipping costs.
The new direct connection is intended to simplify the process by allowing cargo to move between Jebel Ali and Berbera with fewer intermediate transfers.
According to Ahmed, the service could reduce shipping time by as much as 60%, although the actual savings may vary depending on the shipment, schedule and operating conditions.
Berbera Seeks to Strengthen Regional Trade
The new service is expected to improve Berbera’s competitiveness by making the port more attractive to importers, exporters and shipping companies seeking more efficient routes to the Horn of Africa.
It could also support trade with Ethiopia, a landlocked country that relies on neighboring ports to handle much of its international cargo.
Improved maritime connections, combined with road infrastructure linking Berbera to Ethiopia, could help strengthen the port’s role as an alternative regional gateway.
However, the extent of those benefits will depend on shipping frequency, transport costs, customs procedures, inland logistics and demand from regional traders.
DP World Expands Maritime Connectivity
DP World announced the new service as part of its broader efforts to improve connections between international shipping hubs and emerging trade markets.
The company said the direct maritime link would strengthen Berbera’s position as a gateway to East Africa and improve connectivity along trade routes serving the Gulf of Aden and the wider Red Sea region.
The service is described as operating on a nine-day cycle. Its practical impact will depend on the consistency of sailings and the extent to which businesses shift cargo to the route.
For Somaliland, the launch represents another development in Berbera Port’s expansion and its efforts to attract more regional and international trade.
The key test will be whether the new connection delivers sustained reductions in transit times and costs while attracting enough cargo to support long-term growth.
HornPost Staff Reporter
Email: info@hornpost.com
Website: https://hornpost.com
