DP World to invest $2.5b in infrastructure projects on four continents

UAE port operator DP World will invest US$2.5 billion this year to expand its global logistics network, launching major infrastructure projects across India, Africa, South America and Europe in response to rising demand for resilient, integrated supply chain solutions.

DP World said the four major developments across four continents will extend its end-to-end capabilities, thus significantly expanding capacity in its network of global ports.

"Global trade is evolving fast, and we are investing boldly to shape its future," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World.

Mr Sulayem added that, despite short-term uncertainty, the US$2.5 billion investment reflects DP World's confidence in long-term trade growth as well as the company's determination to build the infrastructure needed to keep the world connected.

Construction is underway on a new US$510 million terminal at Tuna Tekra in Gujarat on India’s northwestern coast.

Featuring a 1.1-kilometre berth and an annual capacity of 2.19 million TEUs, the terminal will connect India’s vast hinterland to global markets through a network of roads and railways, enabling faster, more efficient trade access for Indian businesses.

DP World is also moving ahead with the development of a new deep-sea port at Banana in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company said the 450,000 TEUs a year facility on the DRC’s Atlantic coast will bring significant cost and time savings for the country's trade, as it will attract more direct calls from larger vessels from Asia and Europe, thus boosting economic growth across the region.

Further up the West African coast, work is already underway on the new 1.2 million TEUs a year Ndayane Port in Senegal. An initial investment of US$830 million is being made in this project.

At the Port of Posorja in Ecuador, DP World has initiated a US$140 million berth expansion that will expand the dock to a total of 700 metres, enabling it to accommodate two post-Panamax vessels at the same time.

Finally, at the DP World London Gateway logistics hub, the company will invest US$1 billion to build two new shipping berths and a second rail terminal.

DP world said the expansion will support the UK’s growing role as a trade gateway and move the port closer to becoming Britain’s biggest container port by the end of the decade.