Djibouti
As the principal gateway to world markets for Ethiopia's economy, Djibouti is a key logistical node for the Ethio-Djibout Cool Logistics Network. The Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority is a member of the National Cool Logistics Steering Committee, and a dedicated cross-docking facility is an integral pillar of the planned Cool Logistics Network. Additionally, Flying Swans are supporting south-south trade flows by enabling railway transport of fresh vegetables between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Crossdock Djibouti
Ethiopia currently imnports much more goods than it exports. As a result, a large amount of empty shipping containers have to be transported from central Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti. For Ethiopia's future reefer flows, the inverse is true. As Ethiopia's horticultural exports grow, the export of reefer containers will rapidly outgrow the import of reefer containers. A cross-docking facility in the Doraleh Container terminal is a solution to both problems. In this facility, unrefrigerated import cargo can be loaded from normal shipping containers into disconnected reefer containers. This ensures an optimal usage of the railway line for full import and export containers. Crossdock Djibouti is a key part of the National Cool Logistics Network that is being developed by Flying Swans under the Ethio-Netherlands Multi-Annual Partnership on Cool Logistics
south-south trade
Djibouti as a strategic export market for Ethiopian produce
Research done by Flying Swans shows that there remains a huge potential growth in fresh produce export from Ethiopia to Djibouti. Despite its geographical proximity to Ethioipia, Djibouti still imports a large part of its fruit and vegetables from abroad, notably from Europe. This results in high market prices and low availability of nutritious produce among the Djiboutian population.
Flying Swans has partnered with IDH sustainable trade, the Ethio-Djibouti Railway company and the Meki-Batu Cooperative Union to enable the export of Ethiopian vegetables to Djibouti via special refrigerated railway wagons owned by EDR.