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Leading port operator Dubai Ports World (DP World) is expected to complete the development of Terminal Two at Jebel Ali port this month, according to company officials.

The expansion project will increase the port's capacity by 5 million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEU), or 55 percent, to 14 million TEU, and is expected to lead to a growth in bunker sales volumes at the port as a consequence.

"Our long-term vision to expand the port continues. We have to keep adapting. Our mission is to expand but also to optimise," said Anwar Wajdi, senior vice-president of corporate strategy, DP World, at the third Middle East Ports Development conference.

DP World handled more than 27.7 million TEU across its consolidated terminals in 2008 – an increase of 15 percent on the previous year. Excluding the contribution from new terminals which joined the portfolio during 2008, volume growth was 6 percent.

Across the company's total portfolio of 46 operational terminals during 2008, DP World handled 46.8 million TEU, an increase of 8 percent compared with 2007.

However, whilst volume growth was very strong in the first half of last year, the slowing macroeconomic environment in the second half of the year has impacted volumes at many of DP World's terminals, most notably in the final few months of the year.

The company's Dubai ports saw volumes reach almost 12 million TEU, an increase of 11 percent against last year, reflecting slower volume growth in the second half of the year.

As a consequence of the continued growth in cargo volumes in 2008, UAE-based bunker supplier Oil Marketing & Trading International FZC LLC. announced in November that it had decided to have a dedicated gasoil barge stationed in Dubai.

The company had already been carrying out bunker deliveries in Dubai, Jebel Ali, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah prior to the announcement. However, this was the first time Oil Marketing actually had a dedicated barge located specifically in Dubai. The company is already an established player in the Fujairah bunker market.

Other important players in Jebel Ali and Dubai include Caltex Alkhalij, Dubai Fuel Supply, FAL Energy Co. Ltd. and Shell Markets (Middle East) Ltd..