Key Highlights :
DP World, one of the world’s leading global port operators, is expecting to add approximately 3 million teu of new container handling capacity by the end of the year. This will add much needed infrastructure and capacity to boost global supply chain resilience, the company said in a statement.
Key expansions will be completed this year in Caucedo (Dominican Republic), Yarimca (Turkey), Sokhna (Egypt), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and other key markets. The expansions will take its total gross capacity to 93.6 million teu, aimed at meeting growing demand in key trade markets.
According to the UK’s supply chain advisors, Drewry, global container throughput is expected to grow to 932 million teu by 2025, up from 858 million teu in 2021. This means that DP World’s capacity expansion is necessary to meet this growing demand.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said, “We are committed to investing in our infrastructure to meet the growing demand for trade. These capacity additions will further strengthen our position as a leading global supply chain solutions provider connecting economies, businesses, and consumers around the world.”
The company has also set a medium-term target to reach 100 million teus a year, subject to demand. Tiemen Meester, COO Ports & Terminals, DP World, said, “We have to take a longer-term view of global economics, looking at how demand will change and how we can meet it in the most efficient way.”
In addition to the physical expansion, the projects also focus on digitalisation - implementing new technology and modern Terminal Operating Systems, which will further increase capacity by automating and streamlining operations within each port, thereby enabling greater flow of trade and more efficient processes for customers.
In February, DP World won a major concession to develop, operate and maintain the Tuna-Tekra mega-container terminal at Deendayal port on the western coast of India. Once complete, the terminal will include a 1,100-metre berth and handle annually 2.19 million teu, helping unlock future container traffic growth in India, catering to exports and imports from Northern, Western and Central India, reducing logistics cost and enhancing efficiencies across supply chains.
With its expansion plans, DP World is set to become one of the top five global port operators, helping to ensure global supply chain resilience and meet the growing demand for trade.