Djibouti’s port network is seeing a marked increase in vessel traffic as ongoing disruption in the wider Gulf region pushes shipping lines to redirect cargo away from congested hubs like Jebel Ali. DPFZA chairman Aboubaker Omar Hadi confirmed the country’s six deep-sea ports have the capacity to absorb this shift without major congestion, noting that while inland transport may see some pressure, it can be managed through ship-to-ship transshipment operations. (Capital Newspaper)
To protect shippers during this period, DPFZA issued a notice in March instructing shipping agents not to impose additional surcharges on cargo loaded prior to the onset of the Gulf crisis, aiming to ensure fairness and prevent retroactive charges. (Capital Newspaper)
The port authority’s confidence is backed by strong underlying fundamentals. Djibouti’s trade market has shown a growth rate of 11.71%, with Ethiopia remaining the dominant trade partner commanding a 56.51% share of total trade, followed by China at 14.44% and the UAE also holding a significant position. (Deepbeez)
Regional cooperation is deepening as well. Djibouti recently signed cooperation agreements with Egypt covering maritime transport, logistics zones, and green energy, including a deal to develop a 23-megawatt solar power plant with battery storage to supply the Doraleh Container Terminal. (Dailynews Egypt)
For businesses trading through the Horn of Africa corridor, Djibouti’s expanding capacity and consistent port-fairness policy offer a measure of stability at a moment when many neighboring hubs are under strain.
Sources: Capital Ethiopia (April 2026); Daily News Egypt (2026); DeepBeez Trade Data