French Auditors visit Djibouti Ship Repair and Port Infrastructures

Chairman received a delegation of French auditors from the Institut des Hautes Études de la Défense Nationale (IHEDN), led by Vice Admiral (VAE) Jean Hausermann.

The program began with a visit of the Djibouti Ship Repair Yard (DSRY). The Djibouti Ship Repair Yard ‘s size is 217 meters in length and 36 meters beam. It has a lifting capacity of 20,000 tons, making it the largest ship repair facility in the Red Sea and East Africa.

The visit was followed by a technical presentation outlining the yard’s capabilities, alongside an overview of Red Sea Bunkering services, which provide commercial and naval fueling support for vessels transiting the Red Sea.  Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) offers  integrated service model, covering port operations, logistics, bunkering, and ship repair.

In his address, Chairman highlighted the deep-rooted historical relationship between France and the Port of Djibouti, tracing its origins to the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the construction of the first railway in the African continent, the Djibouti-Addis Railway built in 1897-1917.

Chairman further emphasized Djibouti’s strategic role as a support base for the French Navy, with a dedicated berth for French naval operations in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Port of Djibouti provides logistical support, bunkering, provisioning, and safe harbor for French naval vessels during port calls.

Over the years, Djibouti has hosted major French naval assets, including the aircraft carriers Clemenceau, Foch, and Charles de Gaulle, as well as Suffren-class (Barracuda-type) submarines, reflecting the strength and continuity of maritime cooperation between Djibouti and France for freedom of trade and navigation.