Dubai Ports Authority has played a pivotal role in supporting the sea-air trade in the region by providing a high standard of services and facilities.

The ports have gone through several phases of expansion and modernisation in recent years and are in the process of going through another ambitious development that should put them in an advantageous position to serve the needs of trade between East and West.

The Dubai ports have both Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport as bases for the air segment of the cargo transhipments. These two airports have grown impressively in the past decade, particularly Dubai, and this augurs well for the sea segment of the transhipment routes.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, announced at a dedicated meeting for Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) customers that an extensive development plan is set to expand Jebel Ali port.

The development is in response to the phenomenal growth in business that DPA has witnessed over the last two years. In 2002 DPA handled 4,194,264 teu compared to 3,501,820 teu in 2001, representing a 20 per cent growth despite negative predictions by the industry. Also in 2002 DPA handled 51,831,694 tonnes, compared to 46,709,881 tonnes, which represents an approximate increase of eleven per cent.

The development of the Master Plan involves four phases with a total investment of Dh 4.2 billion. At the completion of all phases Jebel Ali port will have 82 berths equipped with 125 quayside cranes and supporting yard equipment.

Phase I: from 2002 to 2005, total capacity 5.7 million teu, total cost Dh868 million.

* Dredging began in March 2002 with the dredging of the channel at Jebel Ali terminal to 17m in addition to the widening of the channel from 235m to 325m.

* The development of five additional berths equipped with 14 super post Panamax quayside cranes.

* The construction of deepwater quay walls for mega-vessels calling at Jebel Ali.

Phase II: from 2005 to 2007, total capacity of 7.7 million teu, total cost of Dh640 million.

* Phase II involves developing 50 per cent of the mega-berths of 450 m.

* The development of additional berths.

* The construction of a new automated gatehouse.

* Ten additional quayside cranes (six of which will be Mega-Max cranes for mega-vessels) and supporting yard equipment.

* Phase II also includes the planning for the construction of new terminals.

Phase III: from 2007 to 2010, total capacity 9.7 million teu, total cost Dh718 million.

* Includes the continuing development of additional four berths,

* An additional 11 quayside cranes with supporting yard equipment.

* Phase III also includes the commencement of the construction of new Phase IV terminals.

Phase IV: from 2010 to 2020, total capacity 21.8 million teu, total cost Dh2.4 billion and will include 18 deepwater berths equipped with 70 Super Post Panamax and Mega Max cranes.

* Phase IV consists of the development of three major terminals:

* Terminal 2: capacity 2.7 million teu, cost Dh1 billion.

* Terminal 3: capacity 4.7 million teu, costs Dh700 million.

* Terminal 4: 4.7 million teu, cost Dh700 million.