DP World Limited handled 56.1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio in 2012, a 2.4% increase over the prior year. Adjusting for the divestment of four joint venture terminals during the year, like for like gross container volume growth was 3.7% ahead of last year. This annual increase in gross container volumes was driven by a good performance from the Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle East regions where the focus on delivering improved efficiencies and productivity attracted more containers into the ports.

The UAE region continued to operate at very high levels of capacity utilization, increasing the number of containers handed to 13.3 million TEU for the year. The company's portfolio of consolidated terminals handled 27.1 million TEU during 2012. Had the five terminals in Australia not been deconsolidated from 12 March 2011, the consolidated terminals would have delivered 0.9% growth ahead of the prior year.

Like for like growth across the consolidated portfolio was 0.7%.