Global marine terminal operator DP World announced that those terminals which are consolidated1 for accounting purposes reported a throughput of 13.6 million TEU for the first half of 2008 up by 21% over the same period last ear.

It said that “This increase in volumes was driven by excellent performance from our terminals in the Australia, India and Middle East regions, the latter two regions benefiting from cargo formerly destined for the US being redirected into markets in India, Middle East and Africa.”

The two Dubai ports of Jebel Ali and Port Rashid combined grew 17% to reach 5.8 million TEU for the first half of 2008.

Mohammed Sharaf CEO of DP World said that “Our consolidated terminals have made a very pleasing start to the year with 21% volume growth driven by our focus on the faster growing emerging markets along the Asia-Europe trade routes and our success in rolling out capacity in those markets which are capacity constrained and where our customers are focused. These strong volumes across all regions are expected to deliver good first half financial results well ahead of the same period last year.”

He added that “We expect to report revenue growth ahead of volume growth and stable to improving EBITDA margins for the first half of 2008. Whilst we recognize that the business has performed well in the first half of 2008, benefiting from our global portfolio and our exposure to the faster growing emerging markets on the Asia-Europe trade route, looking ahead, despite global financial and economic uncertainties, we believe we will continue to outperform the market for 2008 and expect to deliver full year results in line with expectations.”