- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 05:44 07:01 12:34 15:38 18:02 19:18
The largest container ship in the world seen on her maiden visit to DP World Jebel Ali Terminal in Dubai. (FILE)
Middle East shipping industry has been witnessing robust growth with projected investments of $15 billion (Dh55 billion) which will boost volumes by 130 million TEUS during 2009-11, said Dirk Van Den Bosch, Chief Commercial Officer, DP World.
Speaking at the World Ports and Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi, Van Den Bosch pointed to estimated growth of $15 billion in shipping lines, handling increased volumes up to 600 million TEUs by 2011, from lows of 470 million TEUs in 2009.
He also highlighted the estimated average annual throughput growth of eight per cent per year between 2009 and 2015 for the region’s ports as further evidence of strong sustainable growth.
Tony Douglas, CEO, ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company), joined Van Den Bosch and Peter Ford, CEO, Port of Salalah, Oman in discussing the future challenges and opportunities for the Middle East ports and trade sector.
The consensus was that customer service, connectivity, future growth and environment, were issues that would need to be addressed as the industry moves forward. However, in particular, the trend towards larger ships, some reaching individual capacities of 18,000 TEUs, and the challenges this creates for ports throughout the region was key.
“Such large vessels require deep-water ports and the Middle East is among the few regions able to support such ships,” said Tony Douglas, CEO, ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company).
Ford emphasised on the significant infrastructure costs for ports in catering to larger ships, including crane sizes, increased dredging depths and IT costs.
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