Strengthening Djibouti's Role in Aid and Trade Operation
Today, the Chairman of DPFZA received at Red Sea World, an international delegation from USAID, led by Mr. Paul Vicinanzo, Chief of the Transport Division. The discussions centered on three main areas of collaboration:
Humanitarian Cargo and Re-exportation: USAID’s humanitarian shipments arrive in Djibouti by sea, either in bulk or containerized vessels. A portion of these goods is re-exported by sea to Sudan and Somalia, while another segment is transported by land to Ethiopia. The first topic of discussion focused on optimizing port operations to reduce potential delays. The delegation showed interest in utilizing the Port of Tadjourah and constructing vertical silos facilities in the ports and free zones areas.
Free Zones: USAID operates pre-positioning warehouses in two African countries: Durban (South Africa) and Djibouti. Through BMMI, USAID manages additional warehouses in Djibouti, aiming to pre-position 300,000 metric tons of humanitarian cargo for the entire Horn of Africa. BMMI occupies 20,000 m² of warehouse space in the Djibouti Free Zone, with a total of 16,500 m² dedicated to USAID’s pre-po Warehouse, along with 1,000 m² at Jaban’as. Plans are also in place to add another 2,500 m² by the end of February for BMMI use. The Djibouti Free Zones are strategically positioned as a key player in meeting the humanitarian needs across the Horn of Africa.
Logistics Corridors and Technological Innovation: The Chairman also discussed innovations in logistics corridors to better serve clients like USAID and others.
@PortCorridor uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This technology was highlighted as a means to improve fleet tracking for goods entering and leaving the region. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) was proposed and available to enable real-time satellite tracking of road conditions, helping to monitor and manage infrastructure damage.
The @DPCS_Djibouti system, which provides a unified interface for the entire port community, was also discussed as a solution for streamlining documentation processes and provide end-to-end visibility on all cargo logistics operations. Lastly, for high-value goods requiring transport to Yemen, the Chairman introduced the concept of sea-air cargo, a service that connects 28 cities across 24 countries, providing efficient transportation options.