Societe De Gestion Du Terminal A Conteneur De Doraleh

What Societe De Gestion Du Terminal A Conteneur De Doraleh does

Société de Gestion du Terminal à Conteneurs de Doraleh (SGTD) operates the Doraleh container terminal at the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti, positioned at the entrance to the Red Sea on the world's second-busiest shipping lane. Founded in 2009 as a public limited company under Djiboutian law, SGTD is wholly owned by the Autorite des Ports et des Zones Franches de Djibouti (APZFD/DPFZA) and serves as a state-controlled strategic infrastructure asset. The terminal provides container handling services — including vessel discharge/loading, transshipment, storage, delivery, reefer operations (1,008 plugs), and train loading/unloading — to global shipping lines and freight forwarders, while functioning as the primary maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia via rail connectivity established in November 2019. Key shipping line customers include MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, PIL, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen, all calling SGTD as part of regular Red Sea and Indian Ocean services.

SGTD's technical infrastructure comprises 4 STS ULCV (Malaccamax-class) cranes capable of handling vessels up to 23,000 TEU, 8 Superpost Panamax twin-lift cranes, 42 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, 2 Rail Mounted Gantries, 16 reach stackers, 135 internal transfer vehicles, and 9 empty container handlers across a 1,050m quay with 18-20m draft. The terminal operates an integrated digital ecosystem anchored by the Djibouti Port Community System (DPCS), with proprietary platforms including the Vessel Booking System (VBS) launched online in October 2025, the E-Payment Platform integrating with local banks (BCI-MR, CAC Bank, Exim Bank), the E-Sourcing procurement portal, and an e-Draft Module for customer onboarding launched in 2026. The facility is certified under ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 45001 (safety), and ISO 28000 (security) management systems.

Revenue is generated primarily through published tariff-based container handling fees (transaction/take-rate model) for loading/unloading, storage, transshipment, and specialized cargo services. In 2024, SGTD processed a record 1.2 million EVP — the highest throughput since terminal opening, including a monthly record of 110,000 EVP in March 2024 and surpassing 1 million TEU in just ten months. Current operational capacity stands at approximately 1.6M TEU (expandable to 2M TEU with 10 new RTG cranes arriving February-March 2025), with a publicly stated roadmap to reach 3.5M TEU by 2030 and a Phase I development plan for 2028-2032 that includes a 1,000m quay extension, a 50-hectare park, and 10 additional Malaccamax cranes. Headcount is estimated at approximately 1,200 employees.

Name

Societe De Gestion Du Terminal A Conteneur De Doraleh

Legal name

SOCIETE DE GESTION DU TERMINAL A CONTENEURS DE DORALEH (SGTD)

Website

https://sgtd-terminal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SGTD operates the Doraleh container terminal in Djibouti, providing container handling, transshipment, and storage services to global shipping lines while serving as the primary maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia via rail connectivity established in 2019.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Container Terminal Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

akta.pro primary industry

Container Terminal Operating Services & Management (Terminal Operator / Concessionaire) (TLAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF), Reefer Container Terminals & Cold Plug Services (Reefer Yards) (TLAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Container terminal operations
• Port logistics services
• Container handling services
• Maritime transshipment
• Port digital services

Headquarters

HQ city

Doraleh

HQ country

Djibouti

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Container Terminal Services: Core revenue from container handling services including loading/unloading, transshipment, storage, and delivery operations. Services provided to shipping lines, freight forwarders, and import/export companies. Revenue is based on terminal tariffs published in tariff books and varies by container type, dwell time, and service category.
2. E-Payment and Digital Services: Electronic payment processing through the Djibouti Port Community System (DPCS) platform for terminal charges, with payment processing through local banks (BCI-MR, CAC Bank, Exim Bank)
3. Procurement Services (E-Sourcing): Digital procurement platform for supplier engagement and tender management, part of transparency and digitalization policy

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SGTD operates the Doraleh container terminal in Djibouti, providing vessel berthing, container discharge and loading, transshipment, storage, and train loading/unloading services for global shipping lines and East African markets. The terminal supplements physical operations with digital platforms for electronic payment (E-Payment), supplier procurement (E-Sourcing), and vessel booking/scheduling (VBS), serving as the primary maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia and a regional transshipment hub.

Product overview

SGTD operates as a container terminal operator offering a unified service platform centered on container handling operations (discharge/loading, transshipment, delivery). The terminal provides supplementary digital services including the E-Payment Platform for electronic billing, SGTD E-Sourcing for procurement management, and the Vessel Booking System (VBS) with e-Draft Module for customer onboarding. These services work together as part of the terminal's digital ecosystem, with the DPCS (Djibouti Port Community System) serving as the underlying platform for billing and payment integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Container Terminal Operations Core container handling services including vessel berthing, discharge and loading of containers, transshipment, delivery of import cargo, receiving full export containers, receiving empty containers, and train loading/unloading services. Provided directly to global shipping lines, freight forwarders, and import/export cargo owners at Doraleh port.
• E-Payment Platform Electronic billing and payment platform integrated with the Djibouti Port Community System (DPCS), enabling shipping lines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners to submit billing requests and pay all terminal fees through accounts at BCI-MR, CAC Bank, and Exim Bank.
• SGTD E-Sourcing Procurement platform providing suppliers with a secure portal to respond online to terminal purchase requests and tenders, aligned with SGTD's transparency and digitalization policy.
• Vessel Booking System (VBS) Online system for vessel booking, scheduling, and registration, enabling shipping lines to plan and confirm vessel calls at the terminal through a digital platform.
• e-Draft Module Customer onboarding module within the Vessel Booking System (VBS) used for digital onboarding of new shipping line customers and vessel registration processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.2 million EVP throughput in 2024 - highest in terminal history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• DPFZA (Ports and Free Zones Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGTD operates under the authority of DPFZA, which oversees all port operations in Djibouti. DPFZA President Aboubaker Omar Hadi regularly participates in terminal events and development initiatives. The authority provides regulatory oversight and strategic direction for terminal operations and expansion.
• DPCS (Djibouti Port Community System)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with DPCS platform for e-payment processing and digital documentation services. DPCS serves as the community system connecting terminal with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs, and other port stakeholders for seamless electronic data exchange.
• Djibouti Railway / Ethiopian RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail connectivity established November 2019 connecting SGTD terminal to Ethiopia. Train station at terminal has 800m x 3 rail lines capacity for 5-6 trains daily, significantly reducing transit time between Djibouti and Ethiopia.
• Ethiopian Transport OperatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with Ethiopian trucking community including annual safety training programs, driver induction sessions, and safety campaigns. Essential for gateway cargo operations serving landlocked Ethiopia.
• Shipping Lines (PIL, MSC, Maersk, COSCO, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey shipping line customers operating regular vessel services through SGTD terminal. These lines include PIL, MSC, Maersk, COSCO, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen representing major global container shipping capacity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• PIL (Pacific International Lines): Customer-side peer — a global container shipping line that calls SGTD as part of its network. Relevant for terminal-shipper bilateral negotiation context and overall throughput-demand calibrations.
• Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA): Parent and regulator of SGTD; the state entity that concessionaires the Doraleh terminal and oversees parallel adjacent facilities (Doraleh Multipurpose Port, petroleum port, China-built ports). Relevant strategic stakeholder rather than a direct competitor, but shapes competitive dynamics in Djibouti.

Broad incumbents

• APM Terminals: One of the world's largest container terminal operators (Maersk-owned), active across Africa including Mombasa and West Africa hubs. Directly comparable business model — terminal concessionaire serving global shipping lines with similar ULCV-capable infrastructure.
• DP World: Global terminal operator with a regional presence (notably Berbera in Somaliland and Jebel Ali as the dominant Red Sea/Indian Ocean hub). Directly comparable as a container terminal concessionaire competing for the same East African and Red Sea transshipment/Gulf-Aden shipping pool.
• Hutchison Ports: Global container terminal operator with multiple African concessions; operates under the same concessionaire/operator model with deep shipping line relationships and ULCV-capable yard equipment.
• AD Ports Group: Abu Dhabi-listed diversified port operator expanding across the Red Sea/East African region, including Noatum acquisition and stakes in regional terminals. Competes for the same transshipment and feeder flows out of the Gulf/Red Sea corridor.

Direct peers

• Port of Salalah: Major Omani transshipment hub on the Indian Ocean approach to the Red Sea, operated as a joint venture by APM Terminals and other global operators. Directly comparable as a deep-water ULCV-capable transshipment terminal serving Asia–Europe trade on the same lane.
• Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT): Direct competitor located at Port Sudan on the western Red Sea coast, operating a ULCV-capable container terminal. The closest functional peer in geography — competes for North-East African container flows on the same Red Sea shipping lane.

Emerging players

• Berbera Port (DP World): DP World-operated facility in Somaliland being expanded as a competing Red Sea/Gulf of Aden terminal with explicit positioning to capture Ethiopian hinterland cargo. Emerging direct competitor to SGTD's Ethiopian gateway business.

Regional players

• Kenya Ports Authority (Port of Mombasa): State-owned operator of East Africa's largest container terminal serving Kenya and the broader Great Lakes region. Comparable as a regional gateway terminal, though focused on a different (more southern) hinterland and less reliant on transshipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sgtdjiboutiport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC__edk85yRCpx4ngagYoC-Q/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/sgtdjiboutiport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sgtd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Societe De Gestion Du Terminal A Conteneur De Doraleh