Launch of a call for tenders to study the extension of Djen Djen port: a commercial hub in full mutation

Accordingly, a national and international call for tenders has just been launched for a study on the extension of the port of Djen Djen, located in the wilaya of Jijel, the country's largest commercial port. This call for tenders, initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Basic Infrastructures via the Agence Nationale des Réalisations d'Infrastructures Portuaires (ANRIP), (National Port Construction Agency) is a strategic move in line with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's policy of positioning Algeria as a key player in Mediterranean and world trade.

The call for tenders, launched earlier this week, sets high technical requirements for national and international design firms wishing to participate in the expansion project. Bidders must have solid experience, particularly in the implementation of major port projects, including port terminals with a minimum depth of 14 meters and reinforced concrete protection structures with a minimum depth of 16 meters. These criteria reflect the Algerian authorities' desire to entrust this contract to recognized experts to guarantee a result that is up to the challenge.

The expansion of the port of Djen Djen is not just a simple expansion of infrastructure but symbolizes Algeria's commitment to strengthening its foreign trade and becoming a major player in international trade. By increasing its port capacity, the country is equipping itself with the necessary tools to boost its non-hydrocarbon exports, particularly in the agri-food, industrial and steel sectors.

An ambitious expansion for a port with exceptional capacities

The port of Djen Djen already boasts unique capabilities at the national level, with an 18-metre deep quay capable of accommodating the largest ships to dock in Algeria. The current tender is for an extension study to increase this depth to 20 metres and extend the quay to 3000 metres. Once this work is completed, the port will be able to accommodate larger vessels, optimizing the flow of goods and consolidating its role as a hub for international trade.

At the same time, the expansion of the container terminal, which is scheduled for delivery before the end of 2025, is a crucial step in the development of the infrastructure. This terminal will be able to handle more than 2 million containers per year, positioning Djen Djen as one of the most efficient logistics platforms in the Western Mediterranean.

In 2023, although the infrastructure for the container terminal was not yet operational, the port of Djen Djen had already handled 53,000 containers and 9 million tons of general cargo. Once the work is completed, this capacity will increase significantly, allowing Algeria to boost its non-hydrocarbon exports, a key pillar of its long-term economic strategy.

The development of the Port of Djen Djen is part of a global vision to transform the country into a regional export platform, taking advantage of its privileged geographical location. Located just 50 nautical miles from the main shipping route between Asia and Europe, the port provides an ideal link for international trade. In addition, the port's expansion will be accompanied by the imminent opening of sections of the east-west motorway linking Djen Djen to El Eulma (Sétif), facilitating the transport of goods by land over a distance of 110 kilometres.

In addition to its proximity to the world's main shipping routes, the Port of Djen Djen benefits from a leading multimodal infrastructure. It is connected to a rail network with a loading and transhipment station with an annual capacity of 12 million tonnes. This rail link is an important asset for transporting goods to the Bellara steel complex in El Milia, 45 kilometres from the port, and to the Ramdane Djamel railway station in Skikda, 150 kilometres away.

Thanks to these connections, the port of Djen Djen is a key lever for reducing logistics costs and increasing the competitiveness of Algerian products on international markets. This major port in the wilaya of Jijel thus represents the future of Algerian foreign trade, where modern and efficient infrastructure will allow Algeria to establish itself on the international scene while contributing to the country's economic growth.