UN/LOCODE: SNDKR📍 Senegal
Port of Dakar (UN/LOCODE SNDKR)
❖ Coordinates: 14.7645°N, -17.3660°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Dakar
❖ UN/LOCODE: SNDKR
## About the Port
The **Port of Dakar** (UN/LOCODE: **SNDKR**) is Senegal’s principal gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and one of the most strategically positioned deep‑water harbours on the West African coast. Situated at **14.7645° N, 17.3660° W** in the capital’s autonomous district, the port operates on **Africa/Dakar** time (UTC + 0) and serves as a hub for both containerised and bulk traffic. Managed by the **Autorité Portuaire Autonome de Dakar (APAD)**, the facility blends modern handling equipment with a legacy of colonial‑era infrastructure, enabling it to accommodate vessels up to **200,000 dwt** under favorable tide conditions.
Key attributes that define the port’s profile include:
* **Deep draft:** 13 m at the quay, with periodic dredging to maintain navigability.
* **Multi‑modal connectivity:** Direct links to the national railway (the Dakar–Bamako line) and the **N1 highway**, facilitating inland distribution.
* **Customs efficiency:** Integrated single‑window electronic clearance, aligning with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) standards.
These capabilities underpin Dakar’s role as a trans‑shipment point for regional trade and as a logistical base for offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
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## History
### Colonial Foundations (1857‑1960)
The origins of the Port of Dakar trace back to 1857 when French colonial authorities selected the natural harbor as the terminus for the **Senegal‑Cameroun railway**. The first breakwater, constructed in 1867, transformed a modest fishing inlet into a defensible naval station, allowing French warships to project power across the Atlantic. By the early 20th century, the port handled cotton, groundnuts, and timber, feeding the French metropole’s industrial demands.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1960‑1990)
Following Senegal’s independence in 1960, the government prioritized maritime infrastructure to drive economic diversification. The 1972 **Port Development Master Plan** introduced a new container terminal, a roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) berth, and expanded grain silos. The 1980s saw the inauguration of the **Dakar Ferry Terminal**, boosting passenger traffic between the mainland and the Cape Verde archipelago.
### Modernisation Era (1991‑Present)
In the 1990s, APAD embarked on a series of public‑private partnerships (PPPs) that introduced gantry cranes, automated cargo‑handling systems, and a dedicated **Cold‑Chain Terminal** for perishable goods. A major dredging programme (1998‑2004) deepened the approach channel to 13 m, allowing ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) to berth. Recent investments (2020‑2024) focus on digitalisation, environmental sustainability, and the integration of **green port initiatives** such as shore‑side electricity for vessels.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
* **Terminal A (APAD):** 2,400 m of quay, equipped with 4 Super‑Post‑Picket gantry cranes (SPPC) each capable of 65 t lift capacity.
* **Terminal B (Private Operator):** 1,800 m of berth, featuring 3 Panamax cranes and an on‑site **Container Freight Station (CFS)** for customs inspection and value‑added services.
Both terminals support **MEU (Maximum Export Unit)** handling, with automated stacking cranes (ASCs) enabling a yard capacity of over **800,000 TEU** annually.
### Bulk & General Cargo
* **Dry Bulk Berths:** Two dedicated sheds (10 ha) equipped with Ship‑Unloader Systems (SUS) for cereals, phosphates, and mineral ores.
* **Liquid Bulk Facilities:** A fully compliant **ISO‑tank farm** with a capacity of 150 kL, serving the import of refined petroleum products and the export of agro‑industrial oils.
### Ro‑Ro & Passenger Services
A 600 m Ro‑Ro slip accommodates vehicle carriers and ferries, linking Dakar to **Bissau, Guinea-Bissau** and the **Canary Islands**. The adjacent passenger terminal processes an average of **1.2 million travelers** per year.
### Support Services
* **Ship Repair Yard:** Offers dry‑dock and wet‑dock capabilities for vessels up to 80,000 dwt.
* **Logistics Parks:** Two free‑zone zones provide warehousing, customs‑bonded storage, and value‑added processing.
* **ICT Infrastructure:** Real‑time vessel traffic service (VTS) and port community system (PCS) enable electronic data interchange (EDI) with global shipping lines.
For a detailed technical overview, refer to the **World Port Index entry for Dakar** (https://www.maritimehq.com/port-information/senegal/dakar).
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## Economic Importance
### National Revenue Generator
The Port of Dakar contributes roughly **15 %** of Senegal’s total customs revenue and supports over **45,000 direct jobs**, ranging from stevedores to maritime engineers. The port’s activity stimulates ancillary sectors such as transport, warehousing, and agro‑processing, amplifying its multiplier effect across the West African economy.
### Regional Trade Hub
Strategically located on the Gulf of Guinea, Dakar functions as a **trans‑shipment gateway for landlocked countries** like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Approximately **30 %** of its container throughput is destined for or originates from these nations, leveraging the **Trans‑West African Coastal Highway (T-WACH)** and the Dakar–Bamako railway corridor.
### Offshore Energy Support
The port’s proximity to the **Boké‑Mouth oil field** and emerging offshore wind projects has positioned it as a service base for **modal support vessels**, supply ships, and crew changes. APAD’s **offshore logistics hub**, inaugurated in 2022, offers shore‑side power (cold ironing) and marine vessel waste management, aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) environmental guidelines.
### Investment Magnet
Recent PPP initiatives have attracted **US$ 450 million** in foreign direct investment (FDI), earmarked for terminal expansion, hinterland connectivity, and digital transformation. The Senegalese government’s **“Plan Dakar 2035”** envisions a container handling capacity of **3 million TEU** per year, reinforcing the port’s competitiveness against rival West African ports such as Abidjan and Lagos.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Primary Shipping Route | Main Vessel Types |
|--------------------|------------------------|-------------------|
| Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp) | Direct Atlantic crossing via the Gibraltar Strait | Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCV) & Feeder ships |
| North America (New York, Houston) | Trans‑Atlantic via the Azores | Panamax & Post‑Panamax container carriers |
| West Africa (Abidjan, Lagos) | Coastal service (Intra‑West African) | Feeder‑size containerships & Ro‑Ro vessels |
| Inland West Africa (Bamako, Niamey) | Multimodal rail‑road corridor | Inland barges & container trucks |
### Cargo Profile
* **Containerised Goods (≈ 55 % of total throughput):** Electronics, textiles, automotive parts, and packaged food products dominate imports, while exports consist primarily of **phosphate rock, cocoa, and processed fishery products**.
* **Dry Bulk (≈ 25 %):** Grain (maize, wheat), cement, and construction aggregates—critical for Senegal’s expanding infrastructure projects.
* **Liquid Bulk (≈ 10 %):** Refined petroleum products, cooking oil, and chemicals, reflecting the port’s role as a fuel distribution hub for the region.
* **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (≈ 5 %):** Vehicles, heavy machinery, and livestock, supporting both intra‑regional trade and tourism.
* **Project Cargo & Heavy Lift (≈ 5 %):** Prefabricated bridge sections, turbine components, and mining equipment, often coordinated through specialized logistics providers.
The cargo mix is closely tied to Senegal’s **Export Promotion Strategy (PEP)**, which emphasizes value‑added processing of agricultural commodities and the development of a **blue economy** through fishery and marine tourism sectors.
### Emerging Trends
* **Cold‑Chain Growth:** Expansion of the refrigerated container terminal aligns with rising demand for perishable exports such as **fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables**.
* **Digital Trade Facilitation:** Adoption of blockchain‑enabled bills of lading and AI‑driven predictive analytics is reducing turnaround time by an estimated **12 %**.
* **Sustainability Initiatives:** The port aims to achieve **ISO 14001 certification** by 2026, with pilot projects on **green ballast water treatment** and **shore‑side electricity** slated for completion in 2025.
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*Prepared for a professional maritime encyclopedia, this deep‑dive provides a comprehensive snapshot of the Port of Dakar, integrating historical context, operational details, and forward‑looking economic insights.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SNDKR
Country
Senegal
Province / Region
Dakar
Latitude
14.764504
Longitude
-17.366029
Timezone
Africa/Dakar
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Dakar?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Dakar is SNDKR.
Where is Port of Dakar located?
The Port of Dakar is located in Senegal, Dakar. Its coordinates are 14.7645°N, -17.3660°E.
What time zone is Port of Dakar in?
Port of Dakar operates in the Africa/Dakar time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.96 m
Wave Direction336°
Swell Height0.78 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
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