Marine terminal operator DP World said for the second time in a week it has welcomed and simultaneously handled two mega container vessels at its flagship Jebel Ali Port.

The ships, MSC Beatrice and MSC Lauren, sailed in within 10 hours of each other, barely a week after the MSC Daniella and the MSC Bettina.

All the four vessels are owned by Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and, at 366 meters long each, they are counted among the largest container liners in the world.

With their nominal capacities ranging between 12,500 and 14,000 TEU, they belong to the new generation of mega container vessels.

The Jebel Ali Port management rolled out a meticulous plan to discharge and load with its highly-trained workforce and state-of-the-art terminal technology, including Super Post Panamax (SPP) cranes with twin and tandem capabilities to ensure premium turnaround times.

The successful handling of the ships reinforces DP World's relentless efforts and capability to continuously meet customers’ demands, said a company statement.

While MSC’s mega ships are frequent guests at Jebel Ali, it is only occasionally that they are berthed at the same time.

Mohammed Al Muallem, senior VP and managing director of DP World’s UAE Region, said: 'The visits to Dubai by four of the world’s largest container ships within a short span of time underscore the confidence of the shipping industry in our service capabilities and, more importantly, the return of confidence to the local and regional economy.'

'We commend the excellent work done by Jebel Ali Port’s operation managers and workforce in efficiently handling the challenges posed by the simultaneous port calls made by the MSC family,' he noted.

Rashid Abdulla Al Qahtani, COO, DP World, UAE Region, said Jebel Ali has a track record of handling the biggest vessels and a proven experience to ensure smooth operations.

'The flexibility to receive and handle any vessel at any time, combined with our award winning operational standards, are the qualities that have marked out Jebel Ali as an efficient international supply chain hub,' he explained.

'Our ongoing investments in our people, equipment and infrastructure will enable DP World, UAE Region to take on more and even bigger vessels in the future,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service