The port of Djibouti is located near the southern entrance to the Red Sea, at the intersection of major international shipping routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. In February 2017, Djibouti saw the arrival of the first trains of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad. This infrastructure was built as part of the One Belt, One Road initiative, a project intended to deepen ties between China and its trading partners in the developing world. At the end of this new rail line, the Chinese initiative includes the construction of a new Port of Djibouti, positioning it as a “global hub and international maritime center.” The project is to include six major components: 1) a conference center and hotel complex; 2) residential and retail waterfront amenities; 3) a marina and ferry terminal; 4) a new financial center with a cruise terminal; 5) an urban park and sports zones; and 6) a beach complex. The project’s backers say that each component will be gradually implemented in order to transform the Port of Djibouti in a truly global destination.
