President launches Berbera Port extension amid oil facility inspection

On 19 November 2018, on the second day of an official tour of eastern regions, President Muse Bihi inspected several public institutions in Berbera, including the National Oil Terminal, oil laboratory, Marine Academy and the port, according to a report by Somaliland Sun based on a statement from presidential spokesperson Mahmud Warsame Jama.

At the National Oil Terminal, where the country's oil imports are stored, the president was given a tour by management. The facility had been under management by a private company consortium and was recently returned to government management by President Muse Bihi, the report said. No date for that transfer was given, nor was the consortium named.

At the port, the president sailed on a new government-procured tugboat for about 2 kilometres within Gulf of Aden waters. According to the presidential spokesperson, the tugboat has eased towing of ships to the harbour and servicing of those waiting to dock, and carries firefighting equipment.

The visit included the official launch of construction works for the Berbera port extension, Somaliland Sun reported. The extension is being undertaken by Shafa Al Nahda company under contract from DP World, which holds a 30-year concession to manage the port worth $420m. The report does not specify whether that figure represents concession fees, investment value or total project cost.

During the launch event, DP World project operations manager Allan Sanchez and an individual identified only as "Mohamed" said that in the first phase a 430 metre berth is expected to be constructed, accommodating two vessels at any given time. The overall expansion project is reported to bring a total of 800 metre wide berth that can dock five ships at a time. The existing port facility accommodates five major vessels on a 650 metre long berth.

President Bihi said the port project is expected to be finalised by 2020. The port currently has capacity to handle 150,000 container port traffic (TEU) and is expected to expand to handling one million TEU of 20 and 40-foot mixed units, according to the report. These figures are capacities, not actual throughput.

Port management was reminded of the port's importance to the national economy and urged to ensure recruitment and tenders were undertaken fairly and legally, devoid of nepotism or corruption, Somaliland Sun reported, without specifying who made the remarks.

The president also visited the national marine college, where he inspected facilities, met students and received a briefing from management. The delegation included ministers Isse Ahmed Yusuf (Defence), Ahmed Mumin Seed (Agriculture), Sh Khalil Abdilahi (Religious Affairs) and Dr Hasan Ismail Yusuf (Health), as well as Kulmiye party third chairperson Husein Adan Adde, politicians Farhan Adan Haybe and Ambassador Awil Ali Duale.

The report said plans were made for similar functions in Burao, the Toghdeer regional capital, but does not state whether that visit occurred.

Somaliland Sun's report covers the launch event of 19 November 2018. It does not provide evidence of subsequent construction progress, completion, or schedule adherence. No updates on the port extension's status were included.