Global marine terminal operator DP World has announced it handled 13 million teu across its portfolio of 50 operating terminals in the third quarter of the year, an increase of 14 per cent against the same period last year and a 15 per cent increase for the first nine months of the year to 36.7 million against the comparable period last year.

“Volumes for our consolidated terminals grew 8 per cent in the third quarter to 7.3 million teu and 7 per cent for the first nine months of the year to 20.5 million teu. Like for like volume growth for our consolidated terminals for the third quarter was 9 per cent and for the first nine months of the year 10 per cent,” the company said in a statement.

The UAE continued to deliver improved volume growth in the third quarter, reporting an increase of 4 per cent to 3.0 million teu and taking the number of containers handled in the first nine months of the year to 8.6 million teu or 3 per cent ahead of the prior period. Non-container volumes in the UAE have also shown some improvement in the third quarter but year to date remain at lower levels than the same period last year.

‘Resilient’ portfolio
“DP World continues to handle container volumes ahead of the levels reported in 2008 reflecting how resilient our portfolio was to the global declines in 2009,” the statement said.

“Volume growth in the third quarter has been driven by strong growth in the Asia Pacific, Americas and Australia region as well as a continuation of returning volumes across Europe and a stabilisation of volume growth in the UAE. Our new developments in Vallarpadam, India; and Karachi, Pakistan; remain on schedule to open later this year.”

Chief executive officer Mohammed Sharaf commented: “DP World’s container volumes are back in line with 2008 peak levels and many of our regions are delivering double-digit growth over the third quarter last year.

“The performance in the UAE is particularly pleasing. Handling 3 million teu in the third quarter puts the region back in line with its busiest quarter ever at the end of 2008.

“The strong third quarter results in our container operations will lead to a better second half than the first half of the year; however, a slightly lower contribution from non-container operations is anticipated. Despite that, we remain on track to meet full-year results in line with our expectations.”