The UK Minister of State for Transport, Simon Burns, visited Jebel Ali Port and the free zone and was welcomed by H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World.
During a meeting with senior DP World executives and a tour of the port, Mr Burns was briefed on the operational efficiencies that have made Jebel Ali one of the top ten container ports globally.
The Minister inspected the expansion of Jebel Ali Terminal 2 adding 1 million TEU capacity this year and the construction of the new container Terminal 3 that will add another 4 million TEU in 2014. The two projects will increase the total capacity of Jebel Ali Port to 19 million TEU by the end of 2014 and will enable it to handle ten of the next generation 18,000 TEU mega vessels at the same time when the expansions are complete, making it the only port in the Middle East and wider region able to do so.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World , said: “We are delighted to show the UK Transport Minister the details of our flagship facility. The seamless logistics of the port and the free zone stretching 150 sq miles are a magnet for business, creating a premier world class global trading centre connecting companies directly and efficiently to the world’s markets.
“The success of this model encouraged us to replicate it at our London Gateway project, the UK’s largest privately funded infrastructure project offering a deep water port alongside a logistics park that will be the largest in Europe.
“In the week that London Gateway welcomed its first logistics park tenant, Marks & Spencer, this is a timely reminder of the strong trading links between our two countries. Our vision is that London Gateway will contribute to the growth of the UK in the same way that Jebel Ali has to Dubai, stimulating trade and the economy and generating jobs.”
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Press Release, June 12, 2013