Global trade enabler, DP World, handled 34.0 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio of container terminals in the first half of 2017, with gross container volumes growing by 8.2% year-on-year on a reported basis and 7.7% on a like-for- like 11 basis.
Second quarter growth rates accelerated to 10.7% year-on- year on a reported basis and 10.4% on a like-for-like 22 basis, ahead of Drewry Maritimes upgraded industry estimate of 4% throughput growth in 2017.
The first half of 2017 witnessed an improvement in global trade and all three DP World regions saw growth rates accelerate in the second quarter of 2017, particularly the terminals in Europe and the Americas. The UAE handled 7.7 million TEU in H1 2017, growing 4.3% year-on- year, implying a 2Q2017 growth of 6.6%.
At a consolidated 44 level, the terminals handled 17.9 million TEU during the first half of 2017, a 22.4% improvement in performance on a reported basis and up 4.7% year-on- year on a like-for-like 55 basis. Reported consolidated volume in the Asia Pacific and Indian Subcontinent region was boosted by the consolidation of Pusan (South Korea) at the end of 2016.
Group chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, commented: Our portfolio has delivered aahead of market growth benefitting from the improved trading environment in 2017 and market share gains from the new shipping alliances, driving volumes in the second quarter. The robust performance was delivered across all three regions, which once again demonstrates that we have the right strategy and the relevant capacity in the key markets.
We are pleased to see our terminals in the Americas and Europe continue to deliver growth. Encouragingly, the UAE volumes have improved and we continue to expect our portfolios volume growth to outperform the market. Given the encouraging first half performance, we remain well placed to meet 2017 market expectations.