Dubai-based DP World, a leader in international marine terminal operations, handled 56.1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio in 2012, a 2.4 per cent increase over the prior year.

Adjusting for the divestment of four joint venture terminals during the year, like-for-like gross container volume growth was 3.7 per cent ahead of last year, a statement said.

This annual increase in gross container volumes was driven by a good performance from the Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle East regions where the focus on delivering improved efficiencies and productivity attracted more containers into our ports, it added.

The UAE region continued to operate at very high levels of capacity utilization, increasing the number of containers handed to 13.3 million TEU for the year.

DP World’s portfolio of consolidated terminals handled 27.1 million TEU during 2012.  Had the five terminals in Australia not been deconsolidated from 12 March 2011, the consolidated terminals would have delivered 0.9 per cent growth ahead of the prior year.  Like for like growth across the consolidated portfolio was 0.7 per cent.

“During the year, the deteriorating macroeconomic environment and high levels of capacity utilization, led us to change our short term strategy to focus more on high quality revenue generating business, and giving our customers the quality of service they are accustomed to with DP World,” said DP World’s chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Group chief executive Mohammed Sharaf said: “After a strong start to the year we had a challenging second half.  Our tight focus on cost management and higher quality revenue mean we still expect to achieve EBITDA in line with expectations for 2012.  Lower net financing charges will benefit reported profit before tax.

“2013 is an exciting year for us with planned new capacity on track to open in Santos (Brazil), Jebel Ali (UAE) and London Gateway (UK).  Whilst there remains much uncertainty in the macro economy we believe we are well positioned to make further progress in 2013.” – TradeArabia News Service