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UAE seaports set to meet world container port traffic demand

According to shipping industry sources, world container port traffic is projected to take a quantum leap by over 80 per cent between now and the year 2010, that caps the growth rate of a near 70 per cent between 1995 and 2001.

This is expected to push up the demand for mega vessels with shipping giants already evincing interest in vessels of capacity of 10,000 TEUs.

The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) has already set the ball rolling with its Master Plan that includes works on the development of three mega berths that will see in place a new quay.

"The new deep-water berths will accommodate mega vessels with a draft of up to 16 metres, augment the quay length by 1,300 metres and increase the yard storage area," according to the Cargo and Trade publication of the Ports, Customs and Freezone Corporation.

The development in three phases, is expected to be competed by early 2005. DPA has completed berth 11 and its extended container yard area which are now operational. The Authority has also commenced the development of berths 22 and 23, adding an additional 60 metres of quay length. Work has also begun on the development of a reefer structure that will provide an additional storage capacity of 600 slots.

Dredging and widening of the channel and harbour will deepen it to 17 metres and extend the width from 235 metres to 325 metres.

The DPA is enthused by the recognition it received for the 'Best Seaport in the Middle East' at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awardsfor the ninth consecutive year, and the Dubai Quality Award 2002 in the services sector.

Mina Zayed port in the capital is is also engaged in plans to extend its container handling capacity that will witness a near two-fold rise with the coming into being of a new container terminal of 650metre length ship berth. The expansion works include a dredging project to deepen the access channel.