DUBAI PORT RASHID TERMINAL - FULL CLOSURE

Date:-Aug 10 2008

According to D.P World, Port Rashid Terminal will be fully closed by 31/08/2008. Presently, only the container terminal is functioning in Port Rashid, the General Cargo operations were shifted to Jebel Ali on 31/03/2008. Nakheel, part of the D.P World, will develop a Maritime Community in this area. the world's first purpose built Maritime City, adjoins this area.

JEBEL ALI PORT CONGESTION

Date:-Aug 1 2008

The Jebel Ali Port is experiencing Heavy Congestions, as a result of which there is serious delays in berthing and cargo operations. The situation today have arisen from the closure of Port Rashid, no back up plans in jebel ali, the surge in volumes specially the steel and ply wood, and the growth in the container as well as the Ro/Ro trades. The infrastructure which includes the equipment, the man power, storage facilities are unable to cope up with the surge in business. Current average waiting time for berths on container ships is 1-2 days for Main Line vessels, 2 days for Car Carriers and 2-3 days for Break Bulk vessels. Few container carriers have started diverting vessels to near by ports namely Khorfakkan, due to delays for berthing and cargo operations and we fear that there will be more carriers following. As a result of the above, consignees will experience delays for release of their shipments and further the transshipment cargoes will also suffer with delays, as feeder vessels which connect cargoes for the Upper/Lower Gulf ports, their schedules are badly effected due to these delays. The port acknowledges this situation and is trying to source new equipment recruit labor force & enhance the storage area. The present conditions in jebel ali will not be see any immediate changes in functioning as hiring and deploying of new resources will take time. The problems are manifold, right from A) Getting berth allocation B) Pilot delays C) Gang shortages D) Equipment shortage E) yard space shortage Further, adding to it the severe weather conditions leading to poor productivity of the gangs.

DUBAI PORTS - PORT RASHID CLOSURE

Date:-Apr 2 2008

Port Rashid one of the oldest ports in the region is getting decommissioned. As a first phase, the General Cargo operations have been wound up effective 31st March'2008 and the container terminal operations will be closed by 30th August'2008, which will pave way for a complete closure of the port. A commercial and residential water front community development is planned in this area.