DP World: Jebel Ali port congestion solved

PROBLEMS SOLVED: DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port were back to normal after months of congestion problems. (Getty Images)

DP World, the fourth-largest container terminal operator, said on Monday operations at its port in Jebel Ali, Dubai, were back to normal after experiencing months of major congestion problems.

Importers in September complained that congestion at the port was so bad it could take almost a week just for ships to berth.

DP World, part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World, blamed growth volumes for the congestion, which it said put pressure on ports in the region and caused vessel delays, which had a knock on effect at Jebel Ali.

DP World said around 80 percent of vessels were arriving out of their berthing windows, “with containers stacking up and taking time to clear”.

DP World said traders were also leaving containers on the terminal for much longer, putting pressure on yard capacity.

DP World said the port had now “returned to the usual high service levels with no delays to shipping”.

“DP World introduced a number of initiatives to relieve congestion that began at the terminal over the summer, working closely with its customers,” the company said in a statement.

Initiatives included expanding yard capacity, working with customers to manage berthing times and increasing container storage fees, the company said.

Capacity at Jebel Ali port will increase by around five million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEU) in early 2009, when total handling capacity of the port will reach 14 million TEU, it said.

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

READERS' COMMENTS

Congestion charges
Posted by aaqib on Wednesday 26 November 2008 at 09:28 UAE time

This is to answer Mr Mohd Kaleemullah .
Honestly speaking ,even at this point in time when Dubai Port isn't congested (for obvious reasons I've just explained),some shipping agents are still charging the Congestion Charge my fellow friend had just outlined below for 20' & 40' Containers .
Detention charges have doubled or tripled since November .What examples for traders does this move shows ???

CONGESTION CHARGES REMOVED?
Posted by MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Wednesday 26 November 2008 at 08:50 UAE time

They have not commented whether congestion charges of $100.00 per 1 x 20' & $200.00 per 1 x 40' is removed here after? Authorities expect traders to reduce prices owing to global slowdown and decline in raw material, oil, demand etc , however they should set example by reducing their own charges.

The secret behind
Posted by aaqib on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 07:16 UAE time

Let me clearify when they say :
"Initiatives included expanding yard capacity, working with customers to manage berthing times and increasing container storage fees, the company said."
As a regular port user ,the only initiative they focused on was to increase their tariff which has now become an excuse for improvement .Traders are losing money in their businesses , coupled with the current global recession ,forcing them to look out for other cheaper ports .Falling import & export businesses are the actual reason behind the port being 'less congested' .

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM