UN/LOCODE: DJPOD📍 Djibouti
Port of Djibouti (UN/LOCODE DJPOD)
❖ Coordinates: 11.5721°N, 43.1456°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Djibouti
❖ UN/LOCODE: DJPOD
## About the Port
The Port of Djibouti (UN/LOCODE **DJPOD**) sits at the strategic mouth of the Red Sea, positioned at **11.5720765 ° N, 43.1456475 ° E** and operating on **Africa/Djibouti** time. As the principal maritime gateway for the Horn of Africa, Djibouti’s deep‑water facilities serve both containerized and bulk traffic, handling more than **10 million TEUs** annually (2023 figures). Its natural harbour offers year‑round accessibility, with a tide‑free depth of **15 m** at the outer berth and a protected inner basin that accommodates vessel drafts up to **12 m**. Managed by the state‑owned **Port Authority of Djibouti (APD)**, the port benefits from a **single‑window customs system**, electronic data interchange (EDI) services, and continuous pilot‑assisted navigation, making it one of the most efficient nodes in the East African maritime network.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** DJPOD
- **IATA:** JIB (adjacent international airport)
- **Geographical Coordinates:** 11.5720765 N, 43.1456475 E
- **Time Zone:** Africa/Djibouti (UTC + 3)
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## History
### Early Colonial Era (1880‑1960)
Established in **1888** under French colonial rule, the Port of Djibouti originally functioned as a coaling station for steamships transiting the Suez Canal. Its first quay, built with French engineering standards, facilitated modest cargo volumes focused on regional livestock and agricultural produce.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1977‑2000)
Following Djibouti’s independence in **1977**, the government prioritized port modernization to attract trans‑shipment traffic. The 1990s saw the construction of the **Port de Dorale** container terminal, introducing roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) capabilities and enabling the handling of **30‑inch container ships**.
### 21st‑Century Strategic Positioning (2000‑Present)
The turn of the millennium marked a decisive shift toward positioning Djibouti as a **logistics hub for landlocked Ethiopia**. The 2006 inauguration of the **Doraleh Multipurpose Terminal**, a joint venture with DP World, introduced a **20‑meter deepwater berth** and state‑of‑the‑art gantry cranes. In 2015, the **Ethiopia‑Djibouti Railway** (standard‑gauge, 1,060 km) became operational, directly linking the port to Addis Ababa’s industrial zones and dramatically increasing cargo throughput. Continued investments have focused on digitalization, environmental compliance, and the development of free‑zone logistics parks.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Doraleh Multipurpose Terminal (DMT):** 2,500 m quay, 3 super‑post‑pandian (SPP) gantry cranes (125 t capacity), 12 m rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, and 8 ha of container yards.
- **Djibouti International Free Zone (DIFZ):** 4 ha of warehousing, integrated customs‑clearance, and 24‑hour security for value‑added services.
### Bulk and General Cargo
- **General Cargo Wharf:** 1,800 m of quay, equipped with mobile cranes (30‑t capacity) for handling steel, timber, and project cargo.
- **Oil Terminal:** 7 m draft, 250 k m³ storage tanks, and two marine loading arms capable of servicing VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers).
### Ro‑Ro & Cruise Facilities
- **Ro‑Ro Berth:** 1,200 m length, supporting car carriers and roll‑on/off vessels up to **45,000 gt**.
- **Cruise Terminal:** Opened 2018, with a 2‑gate immigration hall and 1,500 m² passenger handling area, targeting the burgeoning Red Sea cruise market.
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage & Tug Services:** 24‑hour pilotage, two twin‑propeller tugs (2,500 t bollard pull) for berthing assistance.
- **Customs & Clearance:** Automated risk‑based inspection system with **ISO 9001** certification, reducing average clearance time to **2.3 hours**.
- **Logistics Parks:** The **Djibouti Logistics City (DLC)** offers 600 ha of bonded warehouses, cold‑storage facilities, and an inland container depot (ICD) linked to the railway network.
For detailed technical specifications, consult the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2023** (https://unctad.org/publications).
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Trade Engine
Djibouti handles **over 95 %** of Ethiopia’s maritime imports and exports, translating into an estimated **US$ 12 billion** in annual trade value. The port’s efficiency directly influences Ethiopia’s GDP growth, with the **Ethiopia‑Djibouti Corridor** accounting for **20 %** of Ethiopia’s total external trade volume.
### Employment & Revenue Generation
The port complex employs **approximately 8,500** direct workers and sustains an additional **15,000** indirect jobs across logistics, customs, and ancillary services. In fiscal year 2023, port‑related activities generated **DJF 1.3 billion** in government revenue, comprising docking fees, container handling charges, and free‑zone lease income.
### Strategic Military Presence
Djibouti hosts **four foreign military bases** (U.S., French, Chinese, and Japanese), leveraging the port’s deep‑water capabilities for strategic logistics. While these installations contribute to national security, they also provide ancillary services—fuel bunkering, ship repair, and emergency anchorage—enhancing the port’s overall capacity.
### Investment Outlook
The **Djibouti–Ethiopia Development Partnership** (2024) earmarks **US$ 1.2 billion** for port expansion, focusing on a **fourth container berth** and a **logistics free‑zone upgrade**. Forecasts by the World Bank project a **CAGR of 5.6 %** in cargo volumes through 2030, positioning Djibouti as the **premier trans‑shipment hub** for the Red Sea‑Indian Ocean corridor.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Typical Vessel Type | Approx. Transit Time |
|----------------------|--------------------|----------------------|
| **Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) → Djibouti** | Inland container train / feeder vessel | 12 h (rail) |
| **Asia (China, India) → Djibouti** | Ultra‑Large Container Vessel (ULCV) | 21‑23 days |
| **Europe (Netherlands, Germany) → Djibouti** | Pan‑amax container ships | 15‑18 days |
| **Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE) → Djibouti** | Ro‑Ro and general cargo vessels | 7‑10 days |
| **East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) → Djibouti** | Smaller feeders, bulk carriers | 5‑9 days |
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Containers:** Electronics, machinery, textiles, and automotive parts dominate imports; coffee, tea, and perishable agricultural products are key exports.
- **Dry Bulk:** Cement, construction steel, and fertilizers supplied to Ethiopia’s expanding infrastructure sector.
- **Liquid Bulk:** Crude oil and refined products transshipped through the oil terminal to regional markets, including Sudan and South Sudan.
- **Project Cargo:** Heavy lift equipment for port expansions, power plant installations, and mining projects in the Horn of Africa.
### Emerging Cargo Segments
The **Renewable Energy Supply Chain** is an emerging focus, with solar panel shipments and wind turbine components routed through Djibouti to Ethiopia’s growing green‑energy projects. Additionally, the **livestock feed** industry is expanding, leveraging refrigerated containers to deliver soy‑based feedstock from the United States and Brazil.
---
*The Port of Djibouti continues to consolidate its role as a linchpin of East African maritime logistics, merging robust infrastructure with strategic geographic positioning to drive regional economic integration.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
DJPOD
Country
Djibouti
Province / Region
Djibouti
Latitude
11.572076
Longitude
43.145648
Timezone
Africa/Djibouti
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Djibouti?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Djibouti is DJPOD.
Where is Port of Djibouti located?
The Port of Djibouti is located in Djibouti, Djibouti. Its coordinates are 11.5721°N, 43.1456°E.
What time zone is Port of Djibouti in?
Port of Djibouti operates in the Africa/Djibouti time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.34 m
Wave Direction94°
Swell Height0.2 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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