Ferry between Dakar and Ziguinchor: a maritime connection suspended since June 2023
Since June 2023, the maritime connection between Dakar and Ziguinchor, provided by a ferry, has been suspended. This decision was taken due to the riots that broke out in the Senegalese capital. In order to guarantee the safety of passengers, it was decided to temporarily suspend maritime journeys.
However, almost four months later, no resumption date has yet been announced. This situation poses several problems, particularly for economic players in the Ziguinchor region, who use this connection to transport their products to the capital. Indeed, without the ferry, they are forced to take the road, which considerably increases their transport costs. In addition, there is no rail link linking Ziguinchor to Dakar.
This suspension of the maritime link therefore has a significant economic impact. Farmers and traders in Ziguinchor find themselves deprived of a direct and inexpensive means of transport to the rest of Senegal. This leads to a reduction in sales and a loss of purchasing power for these economic actors.
According to François Joseph Cabral, professor of economics at Cheikh Anta Diop University, the ferry provides a vital link between the Ziguinchor region and the rest of the country. It represents a real economic umbilical cord for farmers in Casamance. The suspension of this maritime link therefore has visible and immediate consequences on the local economy.
It is therefore crucial that the Senegalese authorities quickly find a solution for the resumption of the maritime link between Dakar and Ziguinchor. This will support economic activity in the Ziguinchor region and facilitate trade with the rest of the country. Economic players in Casamance are impatiently awaiting the reopening of this vital maritime line for their activity.