DTCMs New Temporary Cruise Terminal Receives German Cruise Liner Aida Diva

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently received the German cruise liner Aida Diva carrying 2,616 passengers and 611 crew members, at DTCM’s newly set up temporary cruise terminal. This terminal can accommodate two ships simultaneously, which means that together with its other cruise terminal, DTCM can receive up to four cruise ships at the same time.

The new temporary cruise terminal is 85 meters in length and 40 meters wide, in addition to a separate area for baggage that is 50 meters in length and 40 meters in width. The terminal has 40 counters to serve the tourists, and includes a reception area, ATM, money exchange, and other services that passengers would require.

H.E. Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General, inspected the new temporary cruise terminal to ensure that all services and facilities for tourists were in place ahead of time.

Bin Sulayem commended the German ship that is beginning its regional voyage this season from Dubai and will eventually include 22 trips to the ports of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Oman and Bahrain, bringing in more than 90,000 tourists. Aida Diva has taken Dubai as the starting point for its regional voyage since 2006, and achieved around 19 trips to the ports in the region during the last cruise season. The cruise liner has 1,025 rooms spread over 9 floors and can accommodate 2,050 passengers in addition to 650 crew members.

Last year a total of 100 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 260,000 passengers and by the end of this year a total of 120 cruise ships would have visited Dubai, bringing in 325,000 passengers. Over the coming years, DTCM expects these figures to increase as follows: 135 cruise ships with 375,000 passengers in 2011; 150 ships with 425,000 passengers in 2012; 165 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2013; 180 ships with 525,000 passengers in 2014; and 195 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2015.
 

DP World To Open New Terminal In Vietnam on October 1, 2009

Global marine terminal operator DP World has set October 1st, 2009 as the date of the official inauguration of its state-of-the-art Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT). A joint venture between DP World and Vietnam’s IPC, SPCT is located on the Soai Rap River 15 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. SPCT will further establish Ho Chi Minh City as the country’s main commercial hub.

The region’s second fastest growing economy, Vietnam has seen an average annual growth of 7.1 percent since 2000. While Ho Chi Minh City is currently served by various port facilities along the Dong Nai and Saigon rivers, several terminals on the Saigon River are slated for progressive closure over the next several years. Proximate to Ho Chi Minh City’s industrial hinterland, SPCT will handle cargo that currently moves through these ports, while attracting new volumes.

Peter Wong, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Region, said:
"SPCT is strategically placed to service not only Ho Chi Minh City but also the surrounding industrial zone."

Glen Hilton, Vice President & Managing Director, DP World SE Asia Region, said: “With 500 metres of wharf and five cranes in Phase I, SPCT can easily handle the largest vessels currently calling at Ho Chi Minh City. Dredging of the Soai Rap River to 9.5 metres, completed by the end of 2010, will cut two hours off current steaming time and double the size of alongside vessels to 5,000 TEU.”

Jebel Ali Voted Best Seaport And Container Terminal At 2009 Mela Awards

Jebel Ali, DP World’s flagship terminal, has been voted ‘Best Seaport’ and ‘Best Container Terminal’ at the 2009 Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA) for the third consecutive time. MELA was established in 2006 to recognise outstanding contributions to the region’s logistics industry.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, DP World, UAE Region’s Director of Strategic Planning, Human Resources and Business Support, and Chief Commercial Officer Dirk Van Den Bosch, together accepted the awards at a ceremony held June 30 at Dubai’s Monarch Hotel. Several hundred top executives in the Middle East logistics industry attended the event, which saw 100 companies from 11 countries competing for top honours in both industry-wide and individual achievement categories.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Director of Strategic Planning, Human Resources and Business Support, DP World, UAE Region, said:
“We are extremely honoured to have been recognised as Best Seaport and Best Container Terminal at MELA 2009. DP World, UAE Region has always taken great pride in its ability to anticipate and respond quickly to the evolving needs of our customers.”