DP World sponsors new Seatrade Special Award to recognise international contribution to fight against maritime piracy
London, UK / Dubai, United Arab Emirates, - Wednesday, April 6th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
Maritime piracy is an “urgent global priority” that has no quick-fix answers but demands cross-border co-operation between governments and industry, according to Sir John Parker, Joint Vice Chairman, DP World.
Addressing the Seatrade Awards 2011 ceremony at London’s Guildhall on Monday night (April 04), where a new DP World-sponsored Countering Piracy award was initiated, Sir John highlighted the devastating human impact of piracy, with around 800 mariners currently held in captivity, many for months. He also underlined the financial impact on global trade, with estimates as high as US$12 billion a year.
The gala ceremony, attended by over 350 of the maritime industry’s leading players, saw the Seatrade Special Award for Countering Piracy go to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropolous received the award on behalf of Mr Ban from guest of honour, HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.
The new award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the fight against piracy. It also supports the theme of the International Maritime Organisation’s World Maritime Day 2011, “Piracy: Orchestrating the Response”.
Sir John took the opportunity to showcase the forthcoming Counter-Piracy Conference convened by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DP World 18-19 April in Dubai, under the theme Global Challenge, Regional Responses: Forging a Common Approach to Maritime Piracy”, which will seek to address some of the key issues such as international law, the root causes of piracy, analysis and information sharing, and opportunities for expanding civilian-military cooperation.
Sir John Parker, Joint Vice Chairman, DP World, said:
“We are proud that we at DP World, together with the United Arab Emirates Government, are amongst those who are seeking solutions that cross borders and the public/private divide. We know that there are no ‘quick fixes’ to maritime piracy, but we believe that with close co-operation between governments and industry a way forward can be established, and concrete steps taken to combat piracy in key areas.”
The United Nations is also putting its weight behind the initiative and during the conference will seek support for a fund it has established for counter-piracy projects.
-ENDS-
About DP World
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminalsand 9 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 around 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
(1) As of 11 February 2011
Contacts
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
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