DP World threatened legal action against Djibouti after the government of the Horn of Africa nation ended a contract this year with the Dubai-owned firm for running a port facility, the company's spokesman said on Thursday.
Djibouti ended the contract in February with DP World to run its Doraleh Container Terminal.
The Dubai-based company said it issued its statement after "reports of the opening of the first phase of the Chinese built International Free Trade Zone, in violation of DP World's exclusive management rights."
"DP World reserves the right to take all available legal actions, including claims for damages against any third parties that interfere or otherwise violate its contractual rights," it said.
(Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh Editing by Edmund Blair)