Dubai-based DP World has awarded construction contracts for its $1.6 billion Terminal 4 at Jebel Ali Port.
Contracts went to Dutco Balfour Beatty and BAM International for different facets of the project.

Phase 1 of Terminal 4 will add 3.1 million teu by 2018, taking total capacity at Jebel Ali to 22.1 million teu.

The global marine operator also plans to invest more than $1 billion in India over the next few years mainly in infrastructure development at its port operations in the country. The group has already invested capital of $1.2 billion and is currently the only foreign operator with six port concessions in the country with approximately 30 per cent market share.

DP World handled 61.7 million teu (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio of container terminals during 2015 with gross container volumes growing by 3 per cent on reported basis and 2.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis. 

Growth in 2015 was largely driven by European and UAE terminals. The portfolio benefited from the ramp-up in London Gateway and the UAE handled a record 15.6 million teu, representing like-for-like growth of 2.3 per cent for the year. Utilisation at Jebel Ali remained high at approximately 90 per cent despite the softer volumes in Q4 2015. Market conditions in the second half of 2015 were challenging, with like-for-like gross throughput growth flat year-on-year in Q4.

At a consolidated level, its terminals handled 29.1 million teu during 2015, a 2.7 per cent improvement on a reported basis. Consolidated like-for-like volumes grew by 1.7 per cent for the year.