Bosaso(Mogadishu24)-Puntland State’s Minister for Ports and Maritime Transports, Ahmed Yassin Salah, visited the Bosaso Port on Tuesday to oversee the ongoing expansion and upgrade work taking place at the facility.

The Minister stated that the construction work is proceeding as planned, and will be concluded by December 2023. He indicated that 80% of the construction process has already been completed.

“This expansion and upgrade of Bosaso Port, which began in January, is making successful progress and is currently 80% complete. As we planned, the construction is scheduled for completion and official opening in December of this year, a timeline we find valid,” Minister Ahmed Yaasiin stated.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of this project in contributing to the economic growth of Puntland State and the broader Federal Government of Somalia.

“The project is key to Puntland’s economic growth, which will benefit not just the people of the state, but also Somalia and the Horn of Africa,” he added.

Minister Yassin said that ‘it will enhance Puntland’s integration into the global trade ecosystem, as a bigger, more efficient port with the ability to receive container vessels, and will facilitate increased trade.’

The project, which started on January 2023 after an agreement between the Puntland State Administration and the DP World, the financing institution, will include the development of a 150-metre quay, and repairs of the current 215-metre quay.

It will also involve the establishment of a new 3000 square meter container storage area and a 4000 square meter container unloading zone.

Once completed, the port will have the capacity to manage container ships and draw increased direct visits from feeder vessels originating from Dubai and other maritime business hubs.