The port authorities of Antwerp and Dakar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Senegal to collaborate more in years to come.
Dakar has plans to build an 18-metre-deep port 50 kilometres from the present facility, including a 600-hectare economic and logistics zone. It will be able to handle the latest generation of giant container carriers.
With an annual freight volume of 17 million tonnes, Port Autonome de Dakar is one of the largest ports on the coast of West Africa but the lack of sufficiently trained personnel was presenting one of many challenges.
Port of Antwerp Authority Chief Executive Officer Kristof Waterschoot said Antwerp's "know-how and expertise" will be shared via its consultancy subsidiary PAI to help Dakar realise its ambitions.
The MoU includes commitments in marketing, developing trade relations, organising joint commercial events and exchanging information on subjects such as customs and excise, security and sustainability.
The agreement has been signed for a period of five years.