DP World to showcase services at Breakbulk Middle East 2018

ABU DHABI / WAM

The third annual Breakbulk Middle East conference opens on Tuesday, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), bringing together the foremost experts in the industry, along with shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, transport specialists and related service providers.
The two-day conference is organised by the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime, in partnership with ITE Eurasian Exhibitions FZ-LLC, under the patronage of Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, who is also the FTA Chairman. Seventy exhibitors, thirty speakers and around 2,000 delegates are expected to take part in the event, which includes a conference programme as well as an exhibition. Sponsors include some of the top players in the regional industry, including DP World – UAE Region and Abu Dhabi Ports.
According to Dr Abdulla Salem Al Katheeri, Director General of the FTA, “Across the ever changing landscape of project cargo, Breakbulk Middle East provides a unique meeting place where cargo owners, specialist logisticians can meet, learn, form partnerships and build relationships across the entire breakbulk cargo chain.”
Speaking to the media recently, Al Katheeri noted that “The UAE is a key player in driving offshore investment in the Middle East region, with a total growth of $170 to $190 billion between 2014 and 2017. It currently accounts for an estimated 30 to 35 percent of total regional maritime sector investment at $66 billion.
“The UAE’s record of exceptional achievements has made it one of the top 20 countries in container port traffic. Its strategic location at the heart of the Arabian Gulf has enabled it to acquire the largest share of total container and cargo movement in the region at 60 percent,” Al Katheeri said.
DP World – UAE Region will be showcasing its breakbulk and project cargo handling capabilities at the event. In an announcement, Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and MD, noted that Jebel Ali Port, operated by DP World – UAE Region, has rolled out a major plan to meet the projected increase in demand for breakbulk and project cargo, including heavylift, services in the run up to World Expo 2020. Since opening in the 1970s, the port has handled nearly 550 million metric tonnes of non-container cargo, including breakbulk, RoRo, dry bulk and liquid bulk.
“As Expo 2020 draws closer, the demand for breakbulk and special project cargo will rise sharply and as a Premier Global Partner of the event, we are ensuring that Jebel Ali Port fully fulfills its role as the premier gateway for Expo-bound cargo,” Al Muallem said.
“Handling breakbulk cargo is in our DNA and our experience of non-containerised cargo stems from our beginnings. At Jebel Ali, we offer an integrated port and logistics environment that includes purpose-built facilities to handle the increasing demand for breakbulk, project cargo, Ro-Ro and other general cargo. This includes a massive new multi-level vehicle storage facility to meet the needs of our customers,” he added.
The breakbulk sector remains a source of opportunities for the region with Jebel Ali acting as the Ro-Ro hub, close to some of the world’s largest emerging markets. Almost 1.1 million vehicles moved through the port in RoRo carriers and containers in 2016. It also handles growing demand for heavy lift and project cargo offering tailor-made solutions including space for storage and assembly for any shipment. The port’s 27 General Cargo berths can accommodate 13 vessels with storage capacity covering over 1.4 million square metre, including a covered area of 70,000 sq.m.
The recent opening of a bridge connecting North and South Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), has recently developed the Dubai Logistics Corridor, connecting Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA to Al Maktoum International Airport.