By Asa Fitch
DUBAI--Port operator DP World handled 55 million standard
shipping containers last year, a slight rise from the year before
and a sign that international commerce is getting a boost from an
improving global economic outlook.
The figure mirrors a broader trend in the shipping industry:
Maersk Line, the largest container-shipping company in the world,
said in its latest profit outlook that last year's results should
be "significantly above" those reported a year earlier. DP World,
which is based in Dubai but operates ports around the globe, saw a
significant uptick in volumes in the second half of the year,
suggesting global trade has been improving.
Second-half volumes rose by 3.6% compared with a year earlier,
it said Wednesday. Volume in the full year rose by just 0.7%.
"While the macroeconomic outlook in some regions remains
uncertain, we have made an encouraging start to the current year,"
DP World Chief Executive Mohammed Sharaf said, adding that he was
confident of meeting this year's market expectations.
DP World's volume growth adjusted to exclude assets it bought
and sold during the year came mostly from Asia, Australia and its
home terminal in the United Arab Emirates, it said. The U.A.E.,
where DP World operates Dubai's Jebel Ali port, had its best year
on record, handling 13.6 million standard containers, up 2.7% on
year.
Asian markets are expected to see some of the highest economic
growth rates in the world this year, although DP World is also
benefiting from increased production world-wide. Global GDP is
expected to rise by 3.6% this year, according to IMF figures,
better than the estimated 2.9% for 2013.
Write to Asa Fitch at asa.fitch@wsj.com