Berbera Port becomes a focal point of UAE influence and Red Sea rivalries

Since a 2016 investment by DP World, Berbera’s aging infrastructure has been overhauled, boosting container capacity to 500,000 TEUs and bulk handling to two million tonnes, and providing employment for a sizable workforce. The UAE has paired commercial upgrades with a military presence, adding surface-to-air missile sites, radar and a naval facility near the commercial docks. The port’s growth aligns with Ethiopia’s 50-year lease for access to the sea, while regional actors such as the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel view Berbera as a strategic asset in their rivalries.

DP World officials note that shifting logistics patterns, caused by conflict in the Gulf, are redirecting cargo flows toward the Red Sea. Nonetheless, the intertwining of trade and defence raises concerns about the port’s future role in broader geopolitical contests.