Have you ever wondered how Dakhla Port, nestled along the vast Atlantic coastline, became the economic and transportation hub of Western Sahara? Since Spain established the first permanent settlement here in 1884, Dakhla Port has not only benefited from its strategic location but has also realized growing economic potential.
Port Overview
Dakhla Port, with its five-letter code EHVIC/EHDAK , is located in the city of Dakhla, Western Sahara, serving as one of the region's key urban centers and barge ports. The port enjoys a crucial geostrategic position on a narrow peninsula in the mid-western coast, facing the Atlantic Ocean with picturesque surroundings that suggest significant development potential.
The history of Dakhla dates back to the Spanish colonial era when it was originally named "Villa Cisneros." Records show the city had a population of 13,000 in 1982. The recent discovery of abundant spring water resources has attracted surrounding nomadic herders to settle, leading to rapid population growth.
Port Functions and Facilities
The newly constructed Dakhla Port features four berths, including one external and three internal berths arranged in a U-shaped configuration. Connected to the city by a one-nautical-mile-long channel, these berths primarily accommodate deep-sea fishing vessels. The port handles diverse cargo, including petroleum products, phosphates, fresh fish, and processed goods like frozen fish.
Approximately 2.5 nautical miles from the new port lies the old harbor, which supports naval vessels, small fishing boats, and coastal tankers. This facility contains five berths arranged similarly in a U-shape to optimize operations for fishing vessels and oil tankers.
Despite facing significant siltation challenges common to Western Sahara's ports, regular dredging maintains navigable waterways. With an annual cargo handling capacity of about 250,000 tons, Dakhla Port serves as a vital link between West Africa, Europe, and South America.
Traffic Data and Port Performance
Located in a tropical load line zone, the port has specific vessel requirements: maximum length of 100 meters, beam of 12 meters, and draft up to 5.0 meters. With ongoing infrastructure improvements and facility upgrades, Dakhla Port's container throughput and service capabilities are expected to grow, strengthening its role in maritime trade and regional economic development.
Through these comprehensive facilities and advantageous conditions, Dakhla has transformed from a simple fishing harbor into a modern port that provides robust support for maritime trade and economic activities.
