Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF SOMALI PORTS AND MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE

PROJECT NAME: SOMALIA-HORN OF AFRICA INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION PROJECT (SHIIP) – P173119

DATE OF ISSUE: December 2025

1)     Background and Context

The Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport (MPMT) of the Federal Republic of Somalia is the lead government body mandated to formulate national policies, laws, and regulations for the ports and marine transport sector. The sector is vital for Somalia's economic recovery, facilitating trade, generating revenue, creating jobs, and supporting regional integration.

The MPMT is currently implementing the World Bank-funded Somalia Horn of Africa Infrastructure Integration Project (SHIIP). A critical component of SHIIP is to lay the foundation for the development of a modern, efficient, and competitive port sector. However, strategic investment and policy decisions are currently hindered by a lack of comprehensive, up-to-date technical data on the condition, capacity, and operational performance of Somalia's key commercial ports.

This Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines the requirements for a Consulting Firm to conduct a detailed Ports and Maritime Infrastructure Assessment. The objective is to provide a factual, technical baseline that will inform subsequent master planning, institutional reform, and investment prioritization, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and aligned with Somalia's developmental needs.

2)    Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objective of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive technical and operational assessment of Somalia's main commercial ports to determine their current capacity, identify critical infrastructure gaps, and evaluate their operational performance against international benchmarks. The specific objectives are to:

1. Conduct Baseline Assessments: Perform detailed technical, operational, and commercial evaluations of the ports of Mogadishu, Kismayo, Bosaso, Berbera, and Garacad.
2. Evaluate Infrastructure Condition: Undertake engineering surveys and studies to assess the physical condition of berths, quay walls, yards, equipment, and dredging requirements.
3. Analyze Operational Performance: Assess cargo handling capacities, vessel turnaround times, berth occupancy rates, and operational efficiency.
4. Identify Gaps and Prioritize Needs: Identify critical infrastructure and operational bottlenecks and prioritize interventions for short, medium, and long-term investment planning.
5. Inform Future Planning: Provide the essential technical data required for the subsequent development of a National Ports Master Plan, investment frameworks, and potential Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.

3)     Scope of Services

The Consulting Firm shall execute the following tasks, which constitute the core of the infrastructure assessment:

Task 1: Inception and Work Plan Preparation

• Review all relevant existing documents, studies, and data.
• Develop a detailed methodology, work plan, and data collection tools for the assessment.
• Submit an Inception Report for approval by MPMT.

Task 2: Desktop Review and Data Collation

• Collate and analyze all available historical traffic data, cargo volumes (by type), vessel calls, and revenue records.
• Review existing port layouts, historical engineering reports, and previous master plans.

Task 3: Field-Based Technical and Condition Surveys

This is a core component of the assignment. The Consultant shall physically assess each of the five ports (Mogadishu, Kismayo, Bosaso, Berbera, Garacad). Activities shall include:

• Visual and Structural Integrity Assessments: Detailed inspection of quay walls, breakwaters, pavements, warehouses, and buildings.
• Bathymetric and Hydrographic Surveys: To map current depths at berths and in approach channels, identifying siltation rates and dredging requirements.
• Equipment Audit: Inventory and assessment of the condition and operational capacity of all cargo handling equipment (e.g., cranes, forklifts, tugs, pilot boats) and ICT systems.
• Utility Systems Review: Assessment of water, electricity, drainage, and lighting systems within the port perimeter.

Task 4: Operational and Capacity Assessment

• Berth Capacity Analysis: Calculate current berth occupancy rates and throughput capacity under existing operational modes.
• Cargo Handling Analysis: Measure current productivity metrics (e.g., moves per hour, dwell time) for key cargo types (containers, bulk, general cargo).
• Hinterland Connectivity Review: Assess road and rail linkages to the ports, identifying key bottlenecks affecting cargo flow.
• Safety and Security Infrastructure Audit: Assess the condition and adequacy of navigational aids, firefighting systems, fencing, and ISPS Code-compliant security infrastructure.

Task 5: Demand Analysis and Gap Assessment

• Traffic Forecasting: Develop realistic 25-year traffic forecasts for each port based on economic trends, regional trade patterns, and hinterland development projections.
• Capacity Gap Analysis: Contrast future demand projections with current and potential capacity (after operational improvements) to quantify the need for additional berths, equipment, and land.

Task 6: Environmental and Social Scoping

• Initial Environmental Examination: Conduct a high-level review to identify key environmental and social constraints and opportunities at each port site (e.g., pollution, community impact, coastal erosion).
• Safeguards Screening: Identify the type of environmental and social assessments (e.g., ESIA, RAP) that will be required for future expansion projects, in line with World Bank safeguards policies and Somali law.

Task 7: Reporting and Validation

• Prepare a comprehensive Draft Final Assessment Report integrating all findings, data, and prioritized recommendations.
• Present the draft findings in a stakeholder validation workshop to MPMT, FMS representatives, and port operators.
• Incorporate feedback and submit a Final Comprehensive Assessment Report.

4)    Key Deliverables

1. Inception Report: Detailed methodology, work plan, and schedule.
2. Data Collection and Baseline Report: Compendium of all collected data.
3. Draft Final Comprehensive Assessment Report: Including:
• Executive Summary
• Detailed findings for each port (condition, capacity, operations).
• Traffic forecasts and capacity gap analysis.
• Prioritized list of infrastructure and operational interventions with indicative cost estimates.
• Environmental and social scoping summary.
4. Validation Workshop: Presentation of findings and collection of feedback.
5. Final Comprehensive Assessment Report: Incorporating all comments and feedback from stakeholders and MPMT.
6. All raw data from surveys and studies in editable electronic format.

5)     Consultant’s Team Composition and Qualifications

The Consulting Firm shall propose a multidisciplinary team with demonstrated expertise in port infrastructure assessment, operational analysis, and strategic planning. The team must possess extensive experience working in complex and fragile environments, preferably within the Horn of Africa or similar contexts.

The key experts required for this assignment are as follows

Experiences and Qualifications

1.       Team Leader / Ports Economist

Advanced degree in Economics, Transport Economics, Maritime Logistics, or related field.

10+ years leading feasibility studies for port/transport infrastructure projects; experience in at least 3 comparable port development projects in last 10 years.

Provide overall leadership, technical direction, and quality assurance. Oversee integration of technical assessments, economic analysis, and strategic recommendations.

2.      Senior Port Engineer / Infrastructure Specialist

Advanced degree in Civil, Marine, or Port Engineering.

8+ years in port infrastructure design, condition assessment, and marine construction; at least 2 similar port assessments.

Lead technical inspections and condition surveys (quays, breakwaters, dredging, equipment audits).

3.      Port Operations and Performance Specialist

Degree in Logistics, Port Management, Operations Research, or related field.

8+ years in port operations, terminal efficiency analysis, and performance benchmarking; 2+ port operational assessments.

Analyze operational metrics (berth occupancy, cargo throughput, equipment utilization). Identify bottlenecks and recommend efficiency improvements.

4.      Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or related field.

8+ years in environmental and social impact assessment for port/large infrastructure projects; knowledge of World Bank ESF or equivalent.

Conduct screening and impact assessments. Ensure safeguard compliance. Prepare ESIA, RAP, and other instruments as required.

5.      Maritime Safety & Security Specialist

Advanced degree in Maritime Security, Naval Studies, or related field.

8+ years in maritime and port security operations; proven ISPS Code implementation and piracy risk management.

Develop and oversee ISPS Code compliance, port/ship security plans, counter-piracy measures, and security capacity building in fragile environments.

6.      Maritime Infrastructure Engineer

Advanced degree in Civil, Structural, or Maritime Engineering.

8+ years in design, construction, and rehabilitation of ports/harbors; experience with FIDIC standards and World Bank safeguards.

Lead assessment of port infrastructure, provide engineering solutions for rehabilitation/expansion, and ensure climate-resilient design.

Skills Required

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