Damen Shipyard Fails to Deliver December 2025 Banjul Ferry Promise

Dr Ismaila Ceesay at last press conference of 2025 © Askanwi Media

By Edward Francis Dalliah Jr.

The Banjul–Barra crossing remains The Gambia’s busiest and most critical ferry route, serving thousands of commuters, traders, and vehicles daily.  However, repeated failed promises regarding maintenance and the purchase of new ferries continue to pose a challenge for the country.

Back in 2024, the ferry situation was so dire that advocates were arrested for protesting against the poor handling of the ferries, which resulted in passengers being left with no option but to use smaller boats, which pose significant safety risks. Askanwi has been tracking the government’s promises to address the ferry, with the latest failed promise being the Damen Shipyard Ferry, which should have been in Banjul by December 2025.

Against this backdrop, the government announced plans to procure two new green ferries to stabilise and expand ferry services. In 2023, the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) issued a bidding notice inviting contractors to “design, build and supply one new green ferry within 16 months.” The notice stated that financing was secured under the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the Banjul Port Fourth Expansion Project, with funds earmarked specifically for the ferry’s construction.

Progress appeared to be on track when, in a press release dated 10th February 2025, the GPA announced to “the general public and its esteemed customers of the achievement of the Keel Laying of the African Development Bank-financed New Hybrid Green Ferry on 4th February 2025. This shipbuilding contract is on a design, build and supply agreement, dated 19th April 2024.” From that point, official assurances consistently pointed to December 2025 as the delivery deadline.

Trip to get update on the ferry in May 2025 © Antouman Salieu Ngum

The ferry, constructed overseas and financed under a $20 million AfDB grant, was repeatedly promoted by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MoTWI). During a visit to the Damen Shipyard in the Netherlands in May 2025, Transport Minister Hon. Ebrima Sillah expressed strong confidence that the project was progressing ahead of schedule.

Promise: In an interview posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, he stated the overall work is more than 57% and “[the builders] are above the timeline that we have set for them. We are all set, by the grace of God, to have this ferry delivered well before the target line. Definitely by December 2025, this new ferry will arrive in The Gambia.” Additionally, one of the workers at Damen Shipyard noted that they “are more than halfway through the whole building”, promising that “by December 2025, the new ferry will be delivered.”

More assurances when this image started circulating © VOD

Similar optimism was echoed by Gambia Ferry Services (GFS). In a publication by The Point newspaper, GFS Public Relations Officer Babucarr Suso said the ferry was expected “hopefully by December or early January 2026.”

At the final government press conference of 2025, held on 29th December 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo, Askanwi directly questioned the government on the status of the ferry delivery. Responding, Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay acknowledged uncertainty around the timeline, stating, “When it comes to ferries, you don’t just go to the counter and plug ferries and make them run. They are designed and built, and these timelines are subject to change, which is beyond our control.” He added that a GPA technical team was expected to travel to the Netherlands in December or January for final inspection, assuring that “very soon the ferry will be delivered.”

Now in January 2026, the government has missed the deadline set for the ferry’s delivery, adding to a growing pattern of unfulfilled timelines in the ferry sector. The Kanilai ferry, for instance, only returned to service after exceeding the government’s promised rehabilitation timeframe, following more than a year out of operation. Likewise, assurances that 24-hour ferry operations would commence by May 2025 were never realised, prolonging congestion and uncertainty for users of the crossing.

More reassurances in October 2025 © MoTWI

Similarly, the Kunta Kinteh ferry also suffered the same fate. After breaking down in February 2024, the government promised repairs would take six weeks, but the ferry only returned to service after nine weeks and two days, further eroding public confidence in official timelines.

The delayed ferry is a key component of the AfDB-funded Banjul Port Fourth Expansion Project, which also includes the widening of Bond Road, development of a national integrated transport master plan, institutional capacity-building for MoTWI, and initiatives on climate resilience and gender mainstreaming.

As delays persist, this raises questions if the second ferry’s delivery will also be impacted and if there will be any accountability for the delay in delivery. If the government completed all its contractual obligations and spent more money to follow up on the progress of the works, there needs to be accountability in one shape or form.

In the meantime, crossing continues to experience long queues, extended waiting hours, disruptions to commerce, and mounting economic losses.

Verdict: Promise Failed