DP World said that its new Container Terminal 3 at its flagship Jebel Ali Port is making good progress with the arrival of 5 new quay cranes and half of its 19 automated cranes being tested before the start of initial operations in the next few weeks.

The 4 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) capacity of Terminal 3, makes it the world’s largest semi-automated facility once fully operational.

Terminal 3 has seen a number of developments since its inauguration by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, in January.

Today over half of its 1,860 meter long quay is ready and the 5 new ship-to-shore quay cranes (STS) delivered from Shanghai's Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) this week, join the 4 cranes, which were installed earlier in December. A total of 20 automated rail mounted gantry (ARMG) cranes are also moving on their rails at the 70 hectare yard.

When finished, the terminal will feature 19 of the largest and most modern quay cranes, remotely operated from a sophisticated control room by Emirati nationals, including females for the first time. They will also make up the majority of the 50 ARMG crane operations team.

“Our new world-class Container Terminal 3 will be the most modern and smartest terminal in the region,” said Mohammed Al-Muallem, SVP & MD, DP World UAE Region.

“The new cranes and the new terminal will strengthen Jebel Ali’s position as the most efficient and modern gateway in the region with the capability to handle the largest giant vessels being ordered by our customers,” he added.

“Jebel Ali provides gateway access to a market of more than 2 billion people across the GCC, Middle East, Africa and the subcontinent,” Mohammed Ali Ahmed, chief operations officer, DP World, UAE Region, said.