The Journey of DP World: Surpassing 100 Million TEUs Milestone

The UAE-headquartered logistics heavyweight DP World has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 100 million TEUs of container handling capacity across its global portfolio since its establishment.

Over the past decade, DP World has invested over $11 billion in strategic investments and infrastructure developments. Starting with 75.6 million TEUs in 2014, the company’s capacity has grown by approximately 33%, driven by expansions, greenfield developments, and acquisitions.

DP World has seen a 5% increase in its global gross container handling capacity in the last 12 months.

“Reaching such an impressive milestone is significant for us, but it’s what that figure represents in terms of the flow of global trade and what it has enabled in the markets we have invested in that is really exciting,” said Tiemen Meester, COO, Ports & Terminals, DP World. The company has focused on investing in ports and terminals worldwide, particularly in less traditional and underdeveloped trade markets.

“One of the major highlights of 2024 has been our takeover of the Dar es Salaam facility in Tanzania, which has not been developed since the 1950s. Our work there in the last six months has almost eradicated vessel waiting times, paving the way for a brighter future for Tanzanian trade,” Meester added.

Anniversaries and Collaborations

This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the Jebel Ali Port and the 40th anniversary of the Jebel Ali Free Zone. DP World partnered with A.P. Moller-Maersk in January 2023 to improve operational efficiencies and work on decarbonization efforts at Jebel Ali Port.

The collaboration aims to implement new processes to accelerate turnaround times, reduce emissions, and minimize bunker fuel consumption.

Recent Developments

In January 2024, DP World achieved fossil-free operations at its UK logistics hubs by removing fossil diesel from operations at London Gateway. The company also invested £1 billion in October 2024 to enhance the terminal’s capacity and improve the UK’s international trade resilience.

Additional funding by the end of the decade is expected to increase the port’s capacity, which currently handles around 2 million TEUs annually.

In Peru, DP World completed a $400 million expansion project at the Port of Callao in June 2024, increasing container handling capacity at the South Terminal by 80%. The company also introduced new equipment and expanded yard space in Cochin, India, boosting the terminal’s total capacity to approximately 1.4 million TEUs a year.

In July 2024, DP World and Evyap Group merged Yarimca and Evyapport in Turkey, forming a logistics hub on the Marmara Sea after receiving regulatory approval from the Turkish Competition Authority.