Jebel Ali Port Terminal 2-3 expansion on track to open in 2013-2014

DUBAI's Jebel Ali Port expansion is on schedule following the laying of Terminal 2 quay wall extension foundation for completion second quarter 2013.

The extended quay wall at Container Terminal 2 will allow for increased container throughput of one million TEU at a length of 400 metres to 3,000 metres to enable simultaneous handling of six 15,000 TEU.

Parallel work on Terminal 3 at the harbour adjacent is on track for its opening in 2014 to create four million TEU capacity and overall port capacity increase to 19 million TEU.

During the foundation laying ceremony DP World chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the development supports the region's commercial hub and its ability to handle next generation mega containerships.

The expansion work will meet demand after a year of monthly volumes of one million TEU and a terminal set to handle 10 next generation 18,000 TEU, said DP World vice-president and managing director Mohammed Al Muallem.

"The expansion of Terminal 2 and the development of Terminal 3 will allow us to offer customers not just greater efficiencies but also economies of scale to match changing trade patterns," he added, in a DP World statement.