Gulf News reported that cargo volumes at Jebel Ali port will not exceed 14 million TEUs for the next 5 years at DP World's flagship operations at Dubai Terminals.

Mr Mohammad Al Mua'alem senior VP & MD for the UAE said that "There is enough capacity for the next 5 years. We're not worried. Jebel Ali port currently has a capacity of 14 million TEUs split between 2 terminals with Terminal 1 currently providing 3 million TEUs and the newly built Terminal 2 bringing an additional 9 million TEUs. Growth will not return to pre 2008 levels of the boom time but it will go back to normal.

Mr Al Muaalem said that from 2001 to 2009, volumes were growing by 20 per cent a year and they were running out of capacity. In 2003, the ports operator built Terminal 2 for the expected growth over the next 5 years. Just at a time when the port might have been running short of capacity again, the global downturn in trade and volumes gave the company a breather.

He said that Jebel Ali is well prepared in terms of facility and capacity. Right now, we don't need any substantial investment for a few years to come.

Mr Al Muaalem said that local traders and businesses have seen positive results in the Q1 when the operator's volumes in the UAE rose 1% YoY. In the Q2, we hope there will be growth again. That is what we have heard from everyone but it has to be watched with caution.

He said that UAE volumes for the port operator fell 6 per cent to 11.1 million TEUs last year while its consolidated volumes from over 50 international terminals declined 8%.

(Sourced from Gulf News)