In brief
- DP World reported on 13 January 2021 that eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes had arrived at Berbera and three ship-to-shore cranes were scheduled for March delivery.
- The 400-metre quay and 25-hectare yard extension were reported complete in August 2020, and the terminal was reported on schedule for commissioning by the end of March 2021.
- A scheduled delivery and a forecast commissioning date are not records of completed installation, and only the operator's later notices can confirm what was installed.
Contents
DP World reported on 13 January 2021 that eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes had arrived at the Port of Berbera, and that three Super Post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes were scheduled for delivery in March. The operator published the update as a milestone announcement covering the port's expansion works.
What the source records
The announcement states that the eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes arrived as part of the current expansion project, following completion of a 400-metre quay and a 25-hectare yard extension in August 2020, according to DP World. DP World stated it had committed to investing up to US$442 million in the expansion, that capacity would rise by 500,000 TEUs per year once completed, and that the terminal was on schedule for commissioning by the end of March 2021.
What it means on site
The eight RTGs were reported as delivered, while the three ship-to-shore cranes were still at the scheduled stage. For a contractor or cargo owner planning around Berbera, the two carry different weight: an arriving crane can be inspected, and a forecast commissioning date cannot. Equipment arrival, rail or quay installation, testing and handover are separate steps, and a schedule can shift on vessel availability or weather on the approach. Treat the January 2021 items as the procurement and delivery picture at that date, not as installed capacity.
What the source does not establish
The source does not confirm that the three ship-to-shore cranes were delivered in March, installed, commissioned or accepted, and it does not report the present condition of the quay, yard or terminal. It gives forecast commissioning, not a completion record, and it does not list the crane supplier, vessel, lifting capacity or commissioning test results. Only DP World's later notices, port handover records or terminal operating documents would confirm what was actually installed and when the terminal entered service.
What to do next
Ask DP World Berbera's commercial office, or the port authority office in Berbera, for the crane handover record and the terminal commissioning notice, and check the bill of lading terms for the berth and equipment your cargo will use.
Sources
Local reporting: this article is written for building work in Berbera and Somaliland. Ground conditions, prices and rules differ between places; confirm the details for your own site.