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The port of Jebel Ali, operated by global marine terminal operator DP World, has been voted 'Best Seaport in the Middle East' at the 23rd Asia Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA).

It is the 15th consecutive year that the UAE port has received the award, which was voted for by readers of transport and logistics publication Cargonews Asia, who selected the best-performing logistics and transportation companies in Asia across a number of categories.

Commenting on the award, Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World's UAE region said "WE at Jebel Ali are extremely proud to have won the AFSC Award for the MIddle East's top seaport for the fifteenth year in a row. This award reflects our employees' exemplorary work ethic, and the company's constact drive to deliver the best possible service."

In November 2008, Jebel Ali, DP World's flagship port facility, also won the Lloyd’s List Middle East Award 2008 for the Best Container Terminal of the Year, in recognition of its “vision and commitment to port operations on the domestic and international stages.”

It was the third time in four years Jebel Ali received the Lloyd’s List Award.

Another award, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award was presented to DP World last month in recognition of its outstanding entrepreneurship and excellence in Supply Chain and Logistics services during 2008.

The annual award, instituted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), recognises and rewards organisations and business establishments for their contribution to the country’s economic development, the overall business atmosphere and society at large.

DP World has this year been completing the development of Terminal Two at Jebel Ali. 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.

In November 2008, UAE-based bunker supplier Oil Marketing & Trading International FZC LLC. announced that it had decided to have a dedicated gasoil barge stationed in Dubai.

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