Dubai further enhances its status as a leading global maritime hub
Posted: 11 July 2005
Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) has achieved a remarkable accomplishment in handling large container vessels, which have capacities between 4,000-8,000 twenty foot equivalent units ( TEUs), in a record time. The achievement reflects the world-class standards of DPA's service, and underlines Dubai 's status as a leading global maritime hub. DPA has announced the arrival of CHILLAN , a large container ship, from Europe . CHILLAN is the latest addition to the portfolio of Norasia Container Lines, which will operate weekly on this vital route that connects to Europe .
 CHILLAN is the first of the Norasia vessels to arrive at the Jebel Ali Port. The 276-metre-long vessel, which has a capacity of 5,527 TEUs, exchanged 2,500 container moves at the Jebel Ali Port.
DPA will provide the complete range of services to the Norasia fleet on its weekly route through Dubai . The fleet includes 9 vessels, two of which has a capacity of 5,400 TEUs while the rest of the vessels have a capacity of 4,000 TEUs.
Commenting on the arrival of the vessel, Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Ports Authority, said: "There has been an upsurge in the number of large container vessels arriving at the Jebel Ali Port ever since the port's expansion and its acquirement of the most sophisticated container handling equipment available on the world market. The arrival of CHILLAN is in keeping with this trend, and is further proof of Dubai 's position as a hub of all major shipping routes."
Dubai Ports has recently acquired 10 Tandem Gantry cranes, which are the largest of their kind in the world and the first of their type to be installed in the Middle East . These advanced high-capacity cranes have higher hoisting and trolley speeds, allowing vessel owners and terminal operators to boost revenue by managing more moves. The cranes have the capacity to lift 80 tonnes of weight and the ability to load and unload large vessels that have the capacity to carry upto 12,000 containers.
"Globally, the shipping industry is witnessing continued growth in container traffic, and more than 95 per cent of the world's general cargo is now transported in containers. As a result, shipping lines are progressively increasing vessel size. This has meant that only large efficient container terminals that are able to meet tight schedules and low turnaround times can dominate traffic," Thaniah said.
"This realization has consistently driven the growth strategies of Dubai Ports, and our state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities as well as our constant upgradation of container handling equipment are testimony to this fact. Our commitment to offer customer services of the highest quality has helped Dubai Ports become the world's third fastest-growing port, and the 10 th largest," Thaniah added.
Dubai Ports, which comprises Port Rashid and the Jebel Ali Port, handled 6.42 million containers in 2004, and registered a 26 per cent growth in containers handled during the first quarter of 2005.
Norasia, which owns CHILLAN , operates over 90 vessels worldwide. The Hong Kong-based shipping line has extensive experience in providing international container shipping services in trades between Europe , North America , the Mediterranean , Middle East , Southeast Asia and Far East .
Posted by Editor Pipeline Magazine
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