In 2015, the port saw container throughput jump by 2.24% (in 2014 the rise was 11.8%) to 15.59 million TEUs compared to the 15.25 million TEUs it handled in 2014. The large jump in container throughput back in 2014 might have been attributed to the completion of the expansion project at Container Terminal 2 (T2). When it opened in June 2013 it took capacity at the port to 15 million TEUs. By extending the T2 quay wall to a total length of 3km the port is able to handle six mega ships simultaneously. T3 will offer 1,860m of quay and nine brand new mega ship-to-shore (STS) quay cranes while the 70-hectare stacking yard will feature some 20 automated rail mounted gantry (ARMG) cranes. Once fully completed, T3 will feature 19 of the largest and most modern quay cranes as well as 50 ARMG cranes, all remotely operated from a sophisticated control room. “We constantly work towards improving turnaround times for ships at our berths, which in turn delivers benefits down the supply chain to other stakeholders,” said HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Back in February 2016, Bin Sulayem signed two major contracts for civil construction work at its new Container Terminal 4 on a reclaimed island in Jebel Ali Port. The signing ceremony took place at DP World Head Office in Jebel Ali and the contracts were awarded to Dutco Balfour Beatty and BAM International Abu Dhabi – Dubai Branch. Under Phase 1, Dutco Balfour Beatty will develop an operational yard area with a quay length of 1.2km, while BAM International Abu Dhabi is building a 400m bridge, adjacent causeways and the 2.2km quay wall with a depth of 18m alongside, designed to accommodate the largest mega container vessels. CH2M HILL will deliver the civil works on the reclaimed island North of Jebel Ali’s Terminal 2, connected to the mainland by a 3km causeway. “This terminal is the big idea that will change the way ports work in the future. We will deploy the latest technology in equipping our quays and yards, and run them with the most sophisticated terminal operation systems,” said Bin Sulayem. “We are building Terminal 4 from the ground up, which enables us to future proof it for smart container ships emerging in the future.” Under Phase 1, Terminal 4 will also feature 13 of the worlds’ largest and most modern quay cranes (remotely operated from a sophisticated control room off the quayside) and around 35 automated rail mounted gantry (ARMG) cranes. Adding 3.1 million TEUs by 2018, Jebel Ali Port’s total capacity will hit 22.1 million TEUs. Overall, the port will be equipped with at least 110 cranes and have a total quay length of around 11km. DP World will further expand Terminal 4’s capacity to a total of 7.8 million TEUs in line with market demand under Phase 2, with an additional operational yard offering a quay length of 1km to be built by Dutco Balfour Beatty. The terminal will be equipped with semi-automated quay cranes, providing operational efficiencies for customers, comfortable and safe working conditions for employees and environmental benefits by reducing its carbon footprint.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
