DP world welcomes first scheduled vessel to new Container Terminal 3 in Jebel Ali

Dubai (WAM): DP World on Wednesday welcomed the first scheduled vessel to call at its new Container Terminal 3 in Jebel Ali, Dubai, as it gears up to serve customers at the state-of-the-art facility. The APL Phoenix was welcomed by DP World Chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and other senior officials from DP World. The global ports operator says that once fully operational next year, the world’s most modern container terminal will add a further 4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) capacity to the port, taking total handling capacity at Jebel Ali to 19 million TEU. With its 21st century infrastructure and 18 metre draft, Terminal 3 gives Jebel Ali the ability to handle more of the new generation mega vessels, and as many as 10 Ultra Large Container Ships, ULCS, at the same time. Terminal 3 represents innovation and technology, featuring 19 of the world’s largest and most modern quay cranes remotely operated from a sophisticated control room off the quayside, in safety and comfort, largely by Emirati nationals, including females, who will also make up the majority of the 50 Automated Rail Mounted Gantry crane (ARMG) operations team. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, said, "We are proud to welcome the APL Phoenix to Terminal 3 as trial operations begin at our newest terminal. As the US$850 million Terminal 3 comes on line, it will support the growth of Dubai, the U.A.E. and the wider region. "In line with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for transforming the city with smart systems using technology, Terminal 3 will be the world’s largest semi-automated terminal, providing operational efficiencies for customers, comfortable and safe working conditions for our people and environmental benefits by reducing our carbon footprint. Terminal 3 will be 30% more carbon efficient than a traditional terminal." Bin Sulayem added that this huge project highlighted the success of engineering and design teams led by U.A.E. nationals employing a highly innovative approach to the challenge of taking what was a small general cargo yard and develop it into a modern semi-automated terminal. "Also, we are pleased to see the world’s largest and most modern cranes remotely operated by Emirati nationals, both male and female. I would like to congratulate them all." Kenneth Glenn, President, APL, said, "APL congratulates DP World on the opening of the Jebel Ali Terminal 3. As the world’s biggest semi-automated facility, Terminal 3 is well-equipped to provide our ships with optimal and sustainable service efficiency and reliability. This is a key success factor for the container liner business. We are very pleased to work with DP World in continuously improving the speed and efficiency of our vessel dispatch here in Jebel Ali, and throughout our global network." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395271263682.html