DP World UAE Region, a leading marine operator, handled a record 10 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers for the nine months to September, said a top official.

With its additional capacity of 1 million TEU in June this year and the new 4 million TEU capacity Terminal 3 due to open in 2014, Jebel Ali Port is well placed to cater for future growth, added DP World’s UAE Region senior vice president and managing director, Mohammed Al Muallem.

Dynamic changes in the shipping industry and the diversification of developing GCC economies underpin the growing efficiency of the region’s supply chain, he said, addressing the recent Seatrade Shipping and Investment Forum 2013 in Abu Dhabi.

Al Muallem said that the supply chain is playing a vital role in boosting the GCC’s trade volumes coupled with infrastructure projects, growing populations and increasing consumerism.

He highlighted the need to factor rapid changes in the shipping industry, so that ports can continue to be an integral part of the supply chain.

“Bigger ships and slow steaming strategies require ports with deeper drafts, longer quays, bigger cranes, larger container yards and shorter stays for vessels. And this is why we are expanding our facilities in Dubai,” Al Muallem explained.

“Furthermore, and in order to retain our position at Jebel Ali Port as the gateway of choice for the GCC, Middle East, India and Africa regions, we have created our smart port concept, one that offers traders mobile applications and round the clock electronic transaction facilities giving them real-time information, 365 days a year through their smartphones and from any location.”

The Seatrade Shipping and Investment Forum 2013 was attended by more than 200 senior executives ranging from international financiers and insurers, to ship owners and port operators, across the international maritime industry. – TradeArabia News Service