DP World has signed a 20-year concession with an automatic 20-year extension with the Republic of Mali to build and operate a 1000 ha logistics hub outside of Bamako, the capital of Mali. The multimodal logistics platform, Mali Logistics Hub (MLH), will have inland container depots (ICD) and Container Freight Stations (CFS) that will facilitate the import and export of goods.
The MLH will be located on the main road corridor from Dakar, Senegal to Bamako and close to the Dakar – Bamako rail line. The Hub will be capable of handling 300,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and 4m tonnes of bulk and general cargo. With an estimated initial investment of $50m, the first phase of the project will include an inland container depot and container freight station facility. By streamlining the import and export of goods, it will look to support the growth of the Malian economy. Construction is expected to start in 2019 and is to take approximately 18 months to complete.
DP World will provide the Republic of Mali with three locomotive trains to boost cargo & passenger traffic along the Bamako-Dakar rail system. DP World have further stated that the MLH will reduce processing times for products entering the Malian market as part of efforts to reduce obstacles to trade and economic development. DP World will implement its online paperless facilitation platform to try and accelerate the movement of goods as part of the agreement.
DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “DP World’s investment will significantly cut processing times for goods and thus facilitate trade.”
Republic of Mali Minister of Equipment and Transport Moulaye Ahmed Boubacar said: “We are excited to partner with DP World on this project. The MLH will dramatically improve the cost and time of trade for Mali. The project will provide us with a first-class logistics facility comparable to global standards and will be the largest in terms of capacity.”
Source: DP World
