DP World completed the largest dredging program at its flagship Jebel Ali Port in 10 years, allowing the port to handle more big vessels at the same time by deepening the draught.

The dredging added to the expansion work currently under way, adding 1 million TEU of new capacity to Container Terminal 2 later this year and another 4 million TEU capacity to Container Terminal 3 by 2014.

Once completed, it will enable Jebel Ali Port to handle up to 10 of the next generation 18,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) mega vessels at the same time — the only port in the region able to do so.

In total, 477,000 cubic meters of soil have been dredged from 2,900 meters of quay wall at the roll-on roll-off (roro) vehicle carrier terminal, the tanker terminal and three container berths.

The dredging deepened the draught of the roro and tanker berths while container berths 14, 16 and 17 were extended.

“As the trade gateway for the UAE, Middle East and the wider region, the capabilities of Jebel Ali are always reviewed to make sure they are in line with customers’ needs. As more of our customers add larger vessels to their fleets, we have responded by deepening the berths to increase our efficiency as a key link in one of the busiest supply chains in the world,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman, DP World.

“In response to customer demand, this project will enable Jebel Ali to meet their needs to handle more of the larger ships, providing the efficient and cost-effective services they have come to rely on. Today, Jebel Ali Port is handling each week on average three ultra-large container ships (ULCS) with a capacity of 14,000 TEU and above and we believe that number will increase steadily in the coming years,” commented Mohammed Al-Muallem, senior vice president and managing director, DP World, UAE Region.

Jebel Ali Port’s container terminals are equipped with 22 berths and 78 cranes to cater to the world’s largest container vessels.

With its 17 meter draught it can accommodate ships of any size. In January, DP World celebrated the maiden visit of the world’s largest container-ship, the 16,020 TEU CMA CGM Marco Polo, owned by the CMA CGM Group.