DP World expands into Yemen

The agreement includes the lease of both Aden Container Terminal and of nearby Ma'alla Container Terminal, and a commitment by the joint venture to invest around $220m in further developing the port, including building a new 400 metre berth extension to Aden Container Terminal within five years from handover, which is expected by the end of this year.

Capacity at Aden port is currently around 700,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) and is expected to grow to around 1.5 million TEU by 2012. The joint venture plans to further expand capacity as dictated by market demand as part of the second phase development rights.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Yemen's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Co-operation, H.E. Abdul-Karim Ismail al-Arhabi, and Dubai World and DP World Chairman H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. Also at the signing were Yemeni Minister of Transportation H.E. Khalid Ibrahim Al Wazir and DP World Vice Chairman and Group CEO of Ports and Free Zones World (P&FZ World) H.E. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah. Other senior Yemeni and DP World officials also attended.

DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said:

"We are very pleased to partner with Yemen and to be able to contribute our international experience and expertise to developing the potential of this important facility. The port is strategically located to capture significant growing regional transshipment volumes. In addition, Aden is a key domestic cargo gateway for Yemen, and has been experiencing average annual growth in domestic throughput of around 18% over the past seven years."

"We believe Yemen will benefit significantly from efficient port and logistics infrastructure and we look forward to working with our new partners into the future."

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Co-operation, H.E. Abdul-Karim Ismail al-Arhabi said:

"We welcome this important agreement and are pleased that the Port of Aden has established a long term relationship with DP World. We are committed to the expansion and development of Yemen and believe DP World will be an excellent partner in helping us realise that ambition."