Addis Ababa, March 5, 2022 (Walta) – Ethiopian Airlines, Air Djibouti, the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) and the Société de Gestion du Terminal à Conteneurs de Doraleh (SGTD) signed the Sea-Air Logistics Model Agreement on Thursday, March 3.

The agreement took place in the presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Ethiopian Embassy, ​​Ambassador Mohammed Hassen, and the Chairman of the Djibouti Port Authority and Free Zone, Mr. Aboubaker Omar Hadi.

The partnership will enhance regional connectivity using an innovative multi-modal transport system developed by Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authorities, Air Djibouti and Ethiopian Airlines.

The Sea-Air freight initiative is twice as fast as sea-only shipping and half as expensive as air-only shipping. This will significantly improve trade ties between the two countries as well as between the continents of Africa and Asia.

Ethiopian Airlines plays a key role in stimulating trade, commerce and investment, which are the engines of the continent’s economic development.

The sea-air freight arrangement, combined with Djibouti’s competitive geostrategic advantage, will undoubtedly play a vital role in transporting goods and maximizing profits.

In addition, combining DPFZA’s knowledge of port operations with that of the two airlines in a sea-air cargo program will help harmonize policies and accelerate economic integration.