DP World volume up 11pc to 26.2 million TEU in first six months of 2011

DUBAI`s DP World container terminals worldwide have posted year-on-year volume gains of 11 per cent overall to 26.2 million TEU.

"The strong container volumes seen in the first half of the year will result in a significant improvement in first half profit after tax against the same period last year," said DP World CEO Mohamed Sharaf.


The robust performance was driven by growth in the Asia Pacific, UAE, Africa and the Americas, as well as new volumes from recently opened capacity in Callao, Peru and Qingdao, said a Dubai World statement.


"Our portfolio of consolidated terminals handled 13.5 million TEU in the first six months of the year. Had our five terminals in Australia not been deconsolidated from 12 March, the consolidated terminals would have delivered 10 per cent growth ahead of the same six-month period in 2010.


"The UAE handled 6.1 million TEU in the first six months of the year, with a record 3.1 million TEU handled during April, May and June. While the first six months delivered 11 per cent growth ahead of the same period last year, as we reported in the first quarter, this continues to reflect a relatively weak comparable period in the first half of 2010," said the company statement.


"We have continued to invest in new capacity and our development in Vallarpadam, India and Karachi, Pakistan both opened in the first quarter of the year and are making good progress," the statement said.