London Court of International Arbitration rules Djibouti unlawfully seized Doraleh Container Terminal

The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has issued its final ruling in the case between DP World and Djibouti’s government-owned Port de Djibouti SA (PDSA), finding that the 2018 seizure of Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) was unlawful. 

Although the Tribunal declined to award damages against PDSA on the basis that the harm was caused by the Government of Djibouti, not PDSA, DP World’s claims worth around US$1bn against the government and its partner China Merchants Port Holding remain active. 

DP World’s existing arbitration awards of approximately US$685m against the Government of Djibouti also remain valid and enforceable.