DP World Chairman statement regarding performance
DP World Limited will hold its Annual General Meeting for the year ended 31 December 2013. DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem will make the following statement regarding operational performance in the first quarter of 2014.
DP World Limited handled 14.3 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio of container terminals during the first quarter of 2014, with gross container volumes growing by 10.5% on a like-for-like1 basis. On a reported basis gross volumes grew by 11.6% as new volumes from London Gateway (UK) and Embraport (Brazil) contributed to the portfolio, benefitting the reported numbers.
First quarter growth was largely driven by an improved performance from our Asia Pacific, India and UAE terminals, with Europe continuing to show signs of improvement. The UAE delivered a very strong quarter handling 3.6 million TEU, representing growth of 17.5%.
At a consolidated level, our terminals handled 6.8 million TEU during the first quarter of 2014, a 12.8% improvement in like-for-like3 performance. On a reported level, consolidated volumes showed slightly softer growth at 9.1% due to the divestment of CT3 (Hong Kong) in March last year.
As anticipated, we have seen a return to volume growth in 2014 due to the addition of new capacity and a pick-up in global trade in the first quarter. We are encouraged by the volumes handled at our flagship Jebel Ali port, with the 1 million TEU expansion of Jebel Alis Terminal 2 contributing to the strong result. The addition of 4 million TEU capacity with Terminal 3 opening this year will ensure we are well placed to handle future capacity demands in Dubai.
Source: DP World
