Leading port operator DP World said it plans to construct a 400 metre quay extension at its flagship Jebel Ali Port aimed at boosting the capacity at its facility by one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units) to 15 million TEUs.

The expansion, expected to be concluded by the end of 2012, will extend the quay at Jebel Ali Container Terminal 2 to 3,000 metres, said a top DP World official while speaking at the 'TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East 2011 Conference' in Dubai.

Hosted by DP World, the three-day TOC conference and exhibition event is being held under the theme of “Delivering the Next Generation of Ports, Shipping & Logistics”.

Dozens of international and regional delegates, including industry leaders, experts and government officials, are gathered in Dubai to examine the realities and challenges of the containerised logistics business in the Middle East.

In his keynote address to the conference, Mohammed Al Muallem, senior VP and managing director, DP World, UAE Region, said this will permit Jebel Ali to handle up to six vessels of 15000 TEU simultaneously, hence improving efficiencies and reducing turnaround times.

On the expansion plans, Al Muallem said, 'We have seen very strong container volume growth in the region, with DP World, UAE Region handling a record 6.1 million TEUs in the first six months.'

'This further expansion of Jebel Ali demonstrates our commitment to deliver the best-in-class infrastructure for our customers and continues to ensure Jebel Ali is integral to delivering trade growth within the region,' said Al Muallem.

The UAE Region also delivered its best ever quarterly performance with a second quarter throughput of 3.1 million TEUs, he added.

The last major expansion at Jebel Ali was an additional 5 million TEU which opened in phases from 2008.

'T2 is currently equipped with 29 Super Post Panamax gantry cranes and 60 Rail Mounted Gantries (RMG), and with a draught of 17 metres is capable of handling the world’s largest container liners,' he noted.

Al Muallem pointed out that the way forward for the region’s ports and shipping sector would be through proactively delivering operational efficiencies that bring measurable benefits to the supply chain community.

'Customers are increasingly looking at port operators and shipping lines as strategic innovation partners, and it is the responsibility of the industry to rise up to this expectation,' he noted.

'Increased collaboration among all parties in the supply chain can help create greater understanding of the industry’s changing needs and build partnerships based on strategic innovation and improved efficiencies for all,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service