DP World has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 100 million TEUs of container handling capacity across its global portfolio, a remarkable achievement that underscores the company’s aggressive investment strategy and leadership in global trade. Over the past decade, DP World has injected more than $11 billion into the development and expansion of port infrastructure, including new builds, acquisitions, and capacity upgrades, reinforcing its commitment to facilitating efficient global trade and supporting its customers’ growth.
The company’s capacity has seen a substantial 33% increase since 2014, growing from 75.6 million TEUs to more than 100 million TEUs today. This expansion has been driven by strategic investments in both new and existing port facilities, enabling DP World to meet the growing demands of the evolving global supply chain. With a 5% increase in global container handling capacity over the last 12 months, DP World now holds a 9.2% share of the global container market, positioning itself as a critical player in international trade.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, celebrated the milestone, reflecting on the company’s 45-year journey and its continued focus on investing in world-class ports and logistics infrastructure. He expressed confidence in the future growth of the global container market, noting that DP World is well-positioned to service this growth with its robust infrastructure and expertise. “Through our decades of experience, we have gained a deep understanding of every aspect of the complex global supply chain, allowing us to build customised solutions where others can only see obstacles,” said Sulayem.
DP World’s strategic expansion is well-aligned with global projections, as the Drewry Container Forecaster predicts a 2.8% growth in global container throughput this year. The company’s efforts to extend its reach include ongoing developments in Senegal and India, with new ports at Ndayane and Tuna-Tekre. These investments not only increase the company’s capacity but also reinforce its commitment to driving the growth of underdeveloped trade markets, where it has made a significant socio-economic impact.
A key highlight of DP World’s investments is its work in Tanzania, where the company recently took over the Dar es Salaam Port. The port, which had not seen significant development since the 1950s, suffered from long vessel waiting times. However, DP World’s involvement has already made significant improvements, almost eliminating these delays and setting a promising future for Tanzanian trade.
The company has also made notable investments in key global ports. In the UK, the addition of a $450 million fourth berth at London Gateway has boosted the port’s capacity by 900,000 TEUs annually. In Peru, a $400 million expansion at the Port of Callao has doubled the length of the pier, increasing container handling capacity by 80%. Meanwhile, in India, the expansion of the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Cochin has increased its annual capacity to 1.4 million TEUs.
DP World’s investments in Europe include a €130 million commitment to the Constanta port in Romania, supporting European trade with a new heavy cargo terminal and a roll-on/roll-off terminal. The company has also established an intermodal logistics hub in Aiud, Romania, set to open in 2025.
The company’s global footprint continues to expand with the addition of several key projects. In Indonesia, DP World has taken over operations at Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT), with plans to increase its capacity to 1.4 million TEUs per year. In Turkey, a merger between DP World Yarimca and Evyapport has created a logistics hub on the Marmara Sea, increasing capacity by 500,000 TEUs annually.
In Malaysia, DP World has partnered with Sabah Ports to manage Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP), aiming to increase capacity from 500,000 TEUs to 1.25 million TEUs by 2025. Additionally, DP World has signed a 30-year concession agreement in Tanzania to operate and modernise Dar es Salaam Port, with an initial investment of $250 million and potential future investments of up to $1 billion during the concession period.
