DP World Chairman Visits UK Projects

HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, has welcomed a new productivity record set for vessel handling operations at DP World Southampton, and expressed his pleasure with the progress of construction at London Gateway, the new global shipping port and logistics centre project.

Mr Bin Sulayem made the remarks during a visit to the UK marine terminals, this week where he met senior officials from DP World Southampton and London Gateway.

DP World Southampton’s team recently set a new individual crane record of 565 containers in a 12 hour shift while servicing the OOCL Long Beach, which worked at 172 moves per hour during the shift. Overall, vessel productivity increased by over 20% in 2011 and quay crane rates have continued to improve further in 2012.

London Gateway, the new global shipping port and logistics centre project, will open in the fourth quarter of 2013 with an initial capacity of 1.6 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units).

HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, said:

“DP World’s UK developments are a vital part of its global portfolio. As construction progresses on the London Gateway project, DP World Southampton has emerged as a model example of efficiency through productivity improvements. The great strides it has made to meet customer needs and provide an efficient and reliable service and greater choice for our customers has set a new benchmark in the UK container industry.”

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:

“We have an excellent workforce in Southampton and we all understand the pivotal role we play in international trade and the supply chain. The new vessel productivity record is in line with the fundamental business process changes we have been implementing at DP World Southampton. Our aim is to make the transition of goods through our terminal as efficient and seamless as possible.”

Simon Moore, Chief Executive of London Gateway said:

“It’s great to be able to see the new quay wall for London Gateway is now being completed. We are fully committed to opening in 2013 and delivering supply chain savings from the very start of operations. We will be reducing costs, time and CO2 from global supply chains through a unique deep-sea port and Europe’s largest logistics Park.”

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World Maritime News Staff, February 29, 2012; Image: DP World Southampton