DP World's container throughput across its global terminal portfolio totalled 70.1 million TEU in 2017, an increase of 10.1 per cent year on year.

"Benefitting from the improved trading environment and market share gains, our global portfolio once again delivered ahead-of-market growth in 2017 and has seen strong performance across all three regions," DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was quoted as saying in a report by Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.

The fastest growing region was the smallest in volume terms with the Americas and Australia recording 13.8 per cent growth year on year to 8.8 TEU million in 2017. Combined volumes from Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose by 11.5 per cent to 29.4 million TEU, while Asia Pacific and the Indian Sub-continent achieved an increase of 7.9 per cent to 31.9 million TEU.

DP World's home volumes in the UAE, which are included in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, rose by four per cent to 15.4 million TEU.

"We are also pleased to see stable performance in the UAE as volumes continue to grow in the fourth quarter of 2017 amidst uncertainty in the region and tougher year-on-year comparables," Mr Bin Sulayem added.

The group expects its container volume growth this year to continue to remain ahead of the market and remains on the lookout for opportunities. "We continue to seek opportunities in complementary sectors in the global supply chain and will maintain capital expenditure discipline by bringing on capacity in line with demand."