By: Dawan Africa

Djibouti, 10 March 2026 - Djibouti has launched a high-level coordination effort to safeguard the efficiency of its trade corridor with Ethiopia, as regional maritime instability redirects more cargo through the Red Sea, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) said.

Infrastructure Minister Hassan Houmed Ibrahim and Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh convened top logistics and transport officials on Monday to streamline the road and rail networks that serve as the primary lifeline for landlocked Ethiopia.

The move comes as Djibouti’s infrastructure is increasingly tested by global shipping disruptions. According to the DPFZA, the Doraleh Multipurpose Port recently managed the emergency diversion of the MV Patara, a vessel carrying 2,000 vehicles. While over 1,500 of those units were originally destined for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, they are being processed in Djibouti due to volatility in the Persian Gulf.

“The discussions focused on improving the efficiency and fluidity of the Djibouti–Ethiopia Corridor, both by road and rail,” the DPFZA stated, noting that the goal is to strengthen the entire supply chain in response to the "current maritime security crisis."

The meeting included DPFZA Chairman Aboubaker Omar Hadi and leaders from the national freight and road transport associations. Officials aimed to ensure that the sudden "surge of cargo flows" does not create bottlenecks for Ethiopian imports and exports, which account for the vast majority of the port’s throughput.

Djibouti has invested heavily in its Chinese-built railway and port complexes to solidify its position as the gateway to East Africa. The DPFZA said the recent handling of diverted Gulf-bound cargo "once again confirmed its position as a key strategic logistics and maritime hub."