DP World, one of the largest marine terminal operators, said it handled 25.6 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio of 28 terminals in 2009.

The figure was down eight per cent when compared to the previous year.

Excluding the contribution from new terminals which joined the portfolio during 2009, volumes declined by 10 per cent (having been down 13 per cent in the first half), said Mohammed Sharaf, chief executive of DP World.

'Across all 50 of our operational terminals in 2009 we handled 43.4 m TEU down 6 per cent over the same period in 2008,' he added.

According to Sharaf, 2009 was the most challenging year for the container port industry, with the first reported global decline in volumes since containerisation began.

'The industry as a whole reported a decline of almost 12 per cent  in container volumes and DP World’s outperformance reflects our focus on more resilient emerging markets which have not been as impacted by the slowdown in global trade,' he pointed out.

He said despite the challenging climte, DP World successfully opened two new terminals - Doraleh Container Terminal in Djibouti at the beginning of the year, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in the final quarter of the year.

'In addition, we were awarded concessions for two new terminals in Algeria,' Sharaf added.

DP World UAE region handled volumes of just over 11 million TEUs, registering a growth in the second half of 2009 when compared to the first half.

“2009 has been a very challenging year for container port operators and we are pleased that we have delivered somewhat better results than the industry due to our focus on emerging markets which have remained more resilient to the global downturn,' Sharaf remarked.

'As anticipated, all our regions handled more containers in the second half of 2009 than in the first half and the early signs of stability seen in the third quarter have continued into the final quarter of the year. Customer confidence, whilst improving, remains fragile with limited visibility for the medium term,' he added.

Sharaf said the eight per cent fall in volumes will lead to a decline in full year profit before tax  against the same period last year; 'however management’s focus on cost cutting and maintaining revenues has mitigated the downside and we expect to report 2009 results in line with expectations.'

He pointed out that DP World was confident about the long term outlook for the container terminal industry and its strong competitive position within it.

'Whilst we have seen a better performance in the second half of 2009, predicting global trade trends in 2010 remains challenging, and whilst we expect to see container volumes improve, we will continue to remain focused on growing revenues and managing costs to drive Ebitda forwards.”-TradeArabia News Service