“Nobody can compete with us”: The Arabian shipping and port group DP World is planning investment programs worth billions to meet the new challenges in the supply chains. Europe is also in the spotlight.
This year alone, $2.5 billion is planned for the expansion of the global logistics network and major infrastructure projects in India, Africa, South America and Europe, as announced today.
In this way, DP World aims to “meet the growing demand for robust, integrated supply chain solutions”. Four major projects on four continents will expand DP World’s end-to-end capabilities and significantly increase the capacity of its global port network.
CEO Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Global trade is evolving rapidly and we are investing boldly to shape its future. Despite short-term uncertainty, this $2.5 billion commitment reflects our confidence in the long-term growth of trade and our determination to build the infrastructure needed to keep the world connected. No one can match us for the diversity and scale of our supply chain solutions.”
- A new $510 million terminal is currently under construction in Tuna Tekra in Gujarat on the northwest coast of India. With a 1.1 km berth and an annual capacity of 2.19 million TEU, the terminal will connect India’s vast hinterland to global markets via a road and rail network, providing Indian companies with faster and more efficient access to trade.
- DP World is also driving the development of the new Banana Deep Sea Port in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 450,000 TEU per year facility on the Atlantic coast is expected to bring significant cost and time savings to the country’s trade by attracting more direct calls from larger vessels from Asia and Europe and boosting economic growth across the region.
- Further north on the West African coast, work is already underway on the new port of Ndayane in Senegal with an annual throughput volume of 1.2 million TEU. According to the announcement, this “strategically important project”, which is intended to “support the country’s development for the rest of the century”, will initially involve an investment of USD 830 million.
- At the port of Posorja in Ecuador, DP World has embarked on a $140 million berth expansion that will extend the dock to a total of 700 meters and enable it to accommodate two Post-Panamax ships simultaneously.
- Finally, at the London Gateway logistics center, the Arab group is investing $1 billion in the construction of two new berths and a second rail terminal. The expansion is intended to support the UK’s growing role as a “trade hub” and bring the port closer to its goal of becoming the UK’s largest container port by the end of the decade.
The investment in 2025 is intended to underline the strategy of creating “a connected global platform, from ports and terminals to inland logistics, maritime services, warehousing, freight forwarding and technology”. This integrated model should provide the company with transparency and control over the entire supply chain.
