DPI enters European markets with Romanian container deal
Dubai Ports International (DPI) has been nominated successful bidder for the operation of a new container terminal in the Port of Constantza in Romania. Operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2004
DPI won the contract against competition from Contship Italia, Dragados of Spain and HiliPort of Malta. The terminal will be the biggest in the Black Sea, and DPI's contract involves an 18-year rental concession, stated a press release.
Managing Director of DPI Mohammed Sharaf confirmed that the company is planning to order additional handling equipment to nearly triple the terminal's throughput to 900,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). “An additional quay crane and two more RTGs will be ordered by DPI in the first year. There will also be significant investment in advanced IT equipment and systems.”
The Black Sea region has been growing in importance and there is potential for Constantza to become the economic and multi-modal transportation hub for the region, given the limited facilities and congestion at other Black Sea ports. Constantza's 625 meter long berth has a 14 meter draft and is currently equipped with three new post panamax quay cranes, eight rubber tired gantries and two rail mounted gantry cranes in the rail terminal.
Constantza's container throughput in 2003 is set to increase by 35 percent over 2002 levels and shipping lines are already projecting strong growth for 2004.
Dubai International, established in May 2003, reflects the growing global portfolio of Dubai-based Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) as port and free zone operators and consultants through DPI and Jebel Ali Free Zone International.
DPA has formed an international port management division that operates and manages container terminals and ports around the world.
DPI has already won five contracts throughout the region. Its first project was at Jeddah Islamic Port, where DPI collaborated with a local partner on the management and operation of the South Container Terminal. DPI also won a contract for the management of the entire Port of Djibouti in June 2000. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
