DP World to increase global container handling capacity to 70 million units a year
DP World, one of three largest port operators, is to boost container handling capacity at its terminals worldwide to 70 million units a year within a few years, from about 46.5 million at present, Gulf News reports referring to the company’s official.
This will include a five million TEU (20-foot equivalent container units) addition at the port of Jebel Ali by the end of 2007.
For the last four years DP World has recorded an annual growth of 20 per cent in the UAE and this year it would add one million TEUs to its 7.6 million throughput of 2005.
Under a $1.5-billion expansion plan, Jebel Ali will have a new terminal with a quay length of 2.5 km. "Once the new terminal is ready, we will be able to handle 13 million TEUs in this area," DP World senior vice-president and managing director Mohammad Al Muallem said. By July 2007, a 1.2-km quay will be completed and add three million TEU capacity to the port's capacity. The rest will be ready by the end of 2007.
DP World is involved in nine new projects worldwide and these are expected to add a total of 24 million TEU capacity when fully completed. By 2010, the company will have 13 million TEU extra capacity at the new developments.
"We are still looking for new areas where we can have terminals," Al Muall-em said.
