DP World Lahore, Pakistan Railways' first PPP project, brings new efficiencies to domestic supply chain sector
Lahore, Pakistan / Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 10, 2011: - Global marine terminal operator DP World has added new muscle to its operations in Pakistan with the official opening of its state-of-the-art Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Lahore, the country's second largest city.
DP World Lahore, also known as the Prem Nagar Dry Port, was inaugurated by Shahid Hussain Raza, Chairman, Pakistan's Ministry of Railways, at a ceremony attended by top government officials and representatives of DP World.
DP World Lahore, the first Public Private Partnership (PPP) project by the Ministry of Railways, is well positioned to serve Pakistan's largest hinterland market - the Lahore-Sahiwal region - and is directly linked by rail to Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT), a premier gateway port managed and operated by DP World Karachi more than 1,000 km away.
The ICT's inauguration closely follows the opening of Terminal 2 in Port Qasim on January 12, which expanded QICT's capacity from 900,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) to around 1.2 million TEU, part of DP World's three-phase development plans in Pakistan and the largest ever investment in the port sector there.
The ICT facility is built on over 40 hectares of land and is connected by an extensive network of railway lines and roads to some of the country's most populous areas. The terminal will be managed and operated by DP World in a joint venture with Premier Mercantile Services (PMS), one of Pakistan's largest maritime terminal operators.
Designed and developed to international standards, DP World Lahore offers the local trading community a 25,000 sq ft fully-equipped Container Freight Station (CFS) and will also provide local haulage services beyond the gate to the customers' doorstep.
Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer, DP World, said:
"DP World Lahore is another example of our commitment to Pakistan's development, following the recent successful expansion of our terminal facilities at Port Qasim. Our investments here are in direct response to the growth we have been experiencing in the region. We thank the Government of Pakistan for collaborating with DP World to create their first PPP project involving the railways. We believe the local community will benefit immensely from this partnership."
Changez Niazi, Chief Executive Officer, DP World Karachi, said:
"A railway is a very cost efficient and reliable mode of transporting containers across a large country like Pakistan. DP World Lahore will change the dynamics of the domestic supply chain sector by enhancing logistical efficiencies for the trading fraternity and delivering considerable savings in cost and time."
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About DP World
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminals and 10 new developments and major expansions across 31 countries(1). Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.
DP World aims to enhance customers' supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.
The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted "Best Seaport in the Middle East" for 16 consecutive years.
In 2010, DP World handled 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 92 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.
www.dpworld.com
Media Inquiries:
Natasha Bukhari
Global Corporate Communications Manager
DP World
Tel: +97156 6821699
Natasha.Bukhari@dpworld.com
Sanaa Maadad
Director, Media
Hasaad Communications
Tel: +97150 5522610
Sana@hasaad.ae
(1) As of 25 January 2011
© Press Release 2011
