Jebel Ali Port to expand cargo capacity by 10%
Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, the biggest port in the United Arab Emirates, expects its cargo handling capacity to increase by 10 per cent to 12 per cent in 2007, as it seeks to meet demand stemming from the growth in world trade.
Jebel Ali, part of DP World, the world's third-largest container port operator, handled 8.9 million 20-foot standard containers in 2006, from 7.7 million in 2005, DP World deputy commercial director Abdulla Bin Damithan said this week.
'We are finishing our first phase of Terminal 1 and the second phase is due in July 2007 when terminal No 2 will be launched,' he said. 'We are hoping for the same growth of 10 to 12 per cent in container volume in 2007' as in 2006.
Expansion of the Jebel Ali Port began two years ago, and when complete in 2008 will add 2,500 metres to the wharf with a draft, or depth, of 17 metres.
'If we look at the total global container port capacity in 2006, it peaked at 455.9 million 20-foot equivalent units,' Mr Abdulla said. 'In 2009, this global container demand is forecast to touch 490.28 million, which means we need to expand significantly to cope with the demand.'
More than 5,500 companies are registered to operate from Jebel Ali's tax-free zone, used for re-exporting goods to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Mr Abdulla, who overseas growth in the UAE and the Gulf, said DP World had no immediate plans to invest or make any acquisitions.
Jebel Ali, part of DP World, the world's third-largest container port operator, handled 8.9 million 20-foot standard containers in 2006, from 7.7 million in 2005, DP World deputy commercial director Abdulla Bin Damithan said this week.
'We are finishing our first phase of Terminal 1 and the second phase is due in July 2007 when terminal No 2 will be launched,' he said. 'We are hoping for the same growth of 10 to 12 per cent in container volume in 2007' as in 2006.
Expansion of the Jebel Ali Port began two years ago, and when complete in 2008 will add 2,500 metres to the wharf with a draft, or depth, of 17 metres.
'If we look at the total global container port capacity in 2006, it peaked at 455.9 million 20-foot equivalent units,' Mr Abdulla said. 'In 2009, this global container demand is forecast to touch 490.28 million, which means we need to expand significantly to cope with the demand.'
More than 5,500 companies are registered to operate from Jebel Ali's tax-free zone, used for re-exporting goods to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Mr Abdulla, who overseas growth in the UAE and the Gulf, said DP World had no immediate plans to invest or make any acquisitions.