DP World, UAE Region, the region's premier marine terminal operator, took a major step towards the development of a massive new container terminal at Jebel Ali in Dubai, with the signing of an agreement for the construction of the infrastructure to expand capacity at the flagship port by 4 million TEU 'twenty-foot equivalent unit'.

Terminal 3 will be one of the finest modern marine terminals in the world with a quay length of 1,860 metres, a draft of 17 metres, and a 70 hectare storage yard.

When operations commence at the new terminal in 2014 total capacity at Jebel Ali will reach 19 million TEU.

TOA-SoletancheBachy JV, specialists in infrastructure development, have been awarded the contract to design, construct, commission and equip the required terminal infrastructure, including the deepening of the channel depth to accommodate super post-panamax next generation container ships with a capacity of 18,000 TEU.

The signing ceremony at DP World Head Office in Jebel Ali was attended by DP World Chairman His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Vice Chairman HE Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Mohammed Sharaf, Group Chief Executive Officer, and Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, among others.

Also present were Kiyoshi Miyawaki, General Manager of TOA Corporation - Dubai Office, and Alexandre Abinader, Middle East Manager of Soletanche Bachy.

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said, "The planned capacity expansion at our flagship Jebel Ali Port is guided by demands from our customers and the return of confidence in regional markets. With its superior performance and customer service focus DP World will continue to contribute to the UAE's economic growth and enhance Dubai's role as the gateway hub of the region. Our investment today will ensure Jebel Ali continues be an important catalyst for economic development."

Adnan Al Abbar, Senior Vice President, Planning and Development, DP World, said, "As the largest and busiest container port in the region, Jebel Ali is the preferred port of call for major global ship operators, who continue to order ultra large container ships 'ULCS' in line with emerging global trends. In addition, the port has unparalleled connectivity and delivers our customers the most efficient container handling service. We are confident that Terminal 3 will further boost Jebel Ali's regional leading position when it opens for business."

Kiyoshi Miyawaki, General Manager of TOA Corporation - Dubai Office, said, "TOA Corporation is honoured to be associated with DP World's plans to expand capacity at Jebel Ali Port. TOA Corporation and our Joint Venture partners Soletanche Bachy will deploy their abundant and accumulated experience in marine terminal infrastructure construction to bring value engineering and ensure Jebel Ali's Terminal 3 will be among the finest in the world capable of handling next generation container liners. We look forward to the task ahead."

Alexandre Abinader, Middle East Manager of Soletanche Bachy, said, "Soletanche Bachy is committed to work closely with its Joint Venture partner TOA Corporation and the DP World team. We will commit to this project all our capacity, know-how and track record of carrying out major projects within tight timescales. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work and forge a long-term partnership with leading global marine operator DP World . This is an impressive project that brings together some of the best companies in the industry, and we are proud to be a part of it."

Jebel Ali's Terminal 3 will be equipped with as many as 19 Ship To Shore 'STS' quay cranes and 50 Rail Mounted Gantry 'RMG' cranes.

In the first six months of 2012 DP World, UAE Region, of which Jebel Ali is the leading facility, handled 6.6 million TEU, 7.3% ahead of the same period last year.

Source: DP World