DP World, UAE Region, the leading trade enabler has been recognised as the Terminal Operator of the Year at The Maritime Standard Awards 2019.

The awards were held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

The top industry award was received by Joost Kruijning, SVP & COO, Ports & Terminals Division – DP World, UAE Region on behalf of the company during a gala ceremony attended by high-profile industry personalities and top executives from shipping companies, ports, terminal operators and others in the sector.

In choosing DP World, UAE Region as the Terminal Operator of the Year, the award panel cited improvements in efficiency and productivity through technological innovations. They include Vehicle Booking System (VBS), a Smart Truck Appointment System, time slot compliance improvement from 20 per cent to 80 per cent, drop in truck turnaround time from 40 to 20 minutes, and rise in RTG and ECH productivity.

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO & MD, DP World, UAE Region, said: “This award is a testimony to our commitment to build on our core logistics services to support our customers and be ready to meet emerging market demands. Our focus is on adding value to transport cargo faster and better for those who place their trust in our capabilities as trade enablers. By increasing productivity at our terminals, we have created one of the most efficient and robust supply chains in the region with multimodal connectivity. DP World, UAE Region strives to create the most productive, efficient and safe solutions not just for trade but also for the broader environment and the ecosystem in which we operate.”

During the gala ceremony, Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chief Commercial Officer, DP World, UAE Region, presented the Ship Owner / Operator of the Year Award, sponsored by DP World, UAE Region, to logistics and transportation leader Bahri’s CEO Abdullah Aldubaikhi.

In 2018, DP World, UAE Region implemented a series of measures at its flagship Jebel Ali Port to improve productivity and to conduct operations at the utmost efficiency levels. These include boosting container handling capacity to 22.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units), heightening of quay cranes (STS) by 10 meters, automation at Terminal 2 with 60 Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes upgraded to automatic systems, expanding the port-side reefer (refrigerated) container repair hub and centralising the management of equipment.