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Jebel Ali expands as Terminal 3 gets 1.5 million TEU increase in capacity

GLOBAL port operator DP World is increasing container handling productivity at its flagship Dubai Jebel Ali Port, by adding 1.5 million TEU capacity to Container Terminal 3 (T3), reports Amman's Al Bawaba.

The expansion is in response to emerging market demand and increases the port's capacity from 18 million TEU to 19.5 million TEU, said DP World. T3 now has a capacity of four million TEU and will be the world's biggest semi-automated terminal.

The first batch of 37 new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 47 automated rail mounted gantry (ARMG) cranes are already operational. The 720,000-square metre facility was inaugurated in 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Said DP World chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem: "Increasing the handling capacity at Terminal 3 is in response to the high levels of utilisation at the port. Today, Jebel Ali has the capability to accommodate 10 mega ships simultaneously and we are on schedule to increase this number significantly."

He said volumes are rising in the UAE region and "we expect improvements to capacity and productivity send out a clear message to our customers".

The upgrade includes raising the heights of seven existing quay cranes by retrofitting them to meet the requirements of the new mega container vessels.

ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenua Heavy Industries Company) are also commissioning the final six cranes of Jebel Ali's Container Terminal 3 (T3) - single hoist tandem types capable of lifting up to 100 tonnes.

Meanwhile, in line with market demand, Container Terminal 4 (T4) will take delivery of 13 STS cranes, which are dual hoist tandem models able to lift a combined weight of 120 tonnes and 35 ARMG cranes that are the double cantilever/double truck lane types able to handle twin-lift containers to a combined weight of 70 tonnes.