DP World comes in better by volumes

Container handling volumes at DP World fell 10 per cent in the first half of this year across its network of ports worldwide as the economic downturn devastated global trade.

“The first six months of 2009 have seen some of the most challenging operating environments our industry has ever known,” said Mohammed Sharaf, the chief executive of DP World, the world’s fourth-largest ports operator.

“Unpredictable” trade trends are also continuing in the second half of the year, Mr Sharaf said.