Dubai’s efforts to match the expected big growth in trade and commerce with infrastructure facilities took a big step forward with the announcement that the first stage of Dubai Ports Authority’s (DPA) expansion project at Jebel Ali Port had commenced.

The stage one expansion, costing Dh5 billion ($1.4 billion), will increase storage handling capacity at the port by 5 million teu and add 2.5 km of quay length. Moreover, the total container terminal area at Jebel Ali Port will be extended by approximately 173 hectares.
The announcement was made during the contract signing ceremony between DPA and Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company Limited for the first stage of the expansion. The value of the contract was estimated at Dh250 million.
“The outstan-ding growth in volumes in container and general cargo at Dubai Ports over the last three years prompted us to accelerate our expansion projects, particularly at Jebel Ali Port, to achieve our goals of delivering the highest levels of customer service and efficiency,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
“Market demands and customer needs have been constantly changing, requiring us to make timely investments in infrastructure facilities that will help us in efficiently handling large volumes of business. This mega expansion project consists of 14 stages and is expected to be completed by 2030.”
Hyundai Engineering and Construction will carry out the first stage, which includes the construction of 2.5 km of quaywall and casting of the concrete block. The stage will be divided into two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2007, while the second  will be completed by the first quarter of 2008.
The completion of the first stage of the expansion will result in a 20 per cent increase in the handling of transshipments and a 16 per cent increase in imports and exports,” said Adnan Ali Alabar, director for ports, planning and information systems department, DPA.
For the first stage of the expansion, DPA has awarded design contracts to the leading full-service engineering firm, Han Padron Associates, for the quaywall and dredging and reclamation work. The upland facilities design contract for infrastructure and buildings has been awarded to UK-based consultancy firm Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick. The American firm, Parsons International Limited, has been appointed as project manager for the first stage of the expansion.
“With immense experience in global markets such as Kuwait, Singapore and Yemen, Hyundai is certain to complete the first stage of the project within the contractual period,” said Tan Kul Kwon, Hyundai Engineering’s senior regional vice president.
“Due to signifi-cant time restraints Hyundai has already commenced logistics operations. We are looking forward to working hand in hand with DPA for the successful completion of the project by the first quarter of 2007.”
Bin Sulayem said the expansion project reinforced DPA’s commitment to adopt the latest available technology in port and terminal planning and the most sophisticated port engineering know-how to foster the development of a state-of-the-art port facility.
DPA reported it handled 3.63 million teu in the first half of 2005, a 22 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.