Dubai ports prepare for large containerships

Dubai ports prepare for large containerships    Citing the increasing number of very large post-Panamax containerships, Dubai Ports Authority is building three deep-draft container berths and dredging and widening its channel to accommodate larger vessels and higher box volumes.
   Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, managing director of Dubai Ports Authority, said orders for the next generation of mega-vessels by global shipping lines are being announced with increasing frequency. This will directly affect the agendas and strategies of container terminals and port operators, according to the port executive.
   “In recent months, news in the shipping industry has been focused on orders for vessels of over 9,000 TEUs and confirmed interest shown in vessels of over 10,000 TEUs, most notably by such global giants as Hyundai and P&O Nedlloyd,” Bin Thaniah said.
   The authority of the Middle East port is implementing the first phase of its $1-billion master plan at Jebel Ali. The port authority said this would allow it to handle growth until 2020 and beyond.
   The port has started work on deep-draft berths 18, 19 and 20 at the port. The total three-stage development is due to be completed in February 2005, with the 400-meter-long berth 18 scheduled to be fully equipped and operational in June 2004. The berths will be able to accommodate large vessels with a draft of up to 52 feet.
   At present, the deepest containerships have a maximum draft of 48 feet.
   The port will dredge the channel and the harbor to 56 feet.
   The Middle East port said it is preparing for growth in all sectors, including throughput, vessel sizes and feeder services.
   On completion of the master plan, the Dubai Ports Authority will have a total port capacity of 21.8 million TEUs.