Somaliland dreams port will boost independence Container ships are rare in the main transport hub of the self-declared republic of Somaliland in northern Somalia -- but a contract just signed with Dubai's giant global port company DP World will see the port developed. For Somaliland, unrecognised as a country despite 25 years of de facto independence, the planned port development symbolises hopes of being taken more seriously as a nation. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.