DP World Welcomes First Vessel from New Service between UAE and Somalia

DP World welcomed the container vessel CMA CGM Kailas on its first call at Jebel Ali Port, marking a new service between the UAE and Somalia, supporting trade links and the growth of the Somali economy.

Noura Express, as the service is known, is the second container shipping service connecting Dubai to Mogadishu in less than a year, signaling the return of confidence in re-establishing trade links between Somalia and the rest of the world through the regional gateway, Jebel Ali Port. Container trade to Mogadishu was suspended some years ago due to the political situation in Somalia and the risk of piracy.

CMA CGM Kailas sailed from Jebel Ali Port and is expected in Mogadishu within six days, deploying 1,854 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) capacity with 21-day frequency connecting two other ports in the region.

As co-convener, with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the annual public-private international counter-piracy conference in Dubai since 2011, DP World has consistently highlighted the importance of trade with Somalia as part of the long term solution to combating maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden and wider Indian Ocean region.

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said:

“We welcome CMA CGM’s new service to Somalia’s principal commercial port in Mogadishu. It is another significant step in the confidence building measures that DP World has been advocating to create a climate of stability in Somalia and restore its historical trading ties. DP World, UAE Region is proud to play an enabling role through our flagship Jebel Ali Port as the region’s premier gateway.”

Farid Salem, CMA CGM Group Executive Officer, said:

“DP World is a longtime partner and we thank the team there for the high quality it offers. Launching a direct service between the Middle East and Somalia is part of our commitment to our customers. Noura Express service will provide importers and exporters with safe and speedy cargo movement in this emerging trade route.”

At the third counter-piracy conference hosted in Dubai in September 2013 more than 750 government and industry leaders pledged continued support for sustainable capacity building that would lead to meaningful, long term solutions to eradicate maritime piracy and rebuild Somalia’s economy, taking into account the political and socio-economic circumstances that encourage piracy

Last year, the shipping line Simatech began its first service between Dubai and Mogadishu.

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CMA CGM ,February 3, 2014