New centre provides contact with home for thousands of seafarers

A new drop-in centre that will be used by thousands of seafarers from around the world was opened by Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, today (Monday 9 January).

Around 20,000 seafarers pass through DP World Southampton’s container terminal each year, many of whom go for months at a time without speaking to family members or even stepping off the vessel they’re sailing with.

To provide sailors with a rest area while ashore, DP World Southampton has donated land at the end of its 207 berth to the Seafarers Centre enabling a drop-in centre to be installed.

The facility has been built in addition to the main Seafarers Centre in Queens Terrace in Southampton because a lot of crew members do not even have the time to visit the main centre or the city.

Equipped with computers, telephones, wi-fi, internet access and television, the drop-in centre is a small comfortable facility providing seafarers with the opportunity to contact their families, have a change of scenery or just relax away from their ships.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:

“While at sea, seafarers face all elements in what can be described as an unforgiving environment. With vessel stays in port being brief we are delighted to be able to provide an area for crew members to contact their family and relax off board while at the container terminal.”

John Hughes, Chairman of the trustees of Centres for Seafarers said:

“We are extremely grateful to DP World Southampton and the other donors who have enabled this project to be completed. Providing communications with home is one of the most important things we can do for seafarers visiting our port so this drop-in centre will greatly enhance their experience when visiting the port of Southampton. “

The drop-in centre has been funded by The Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Ivitta and Centres for Seafarers. Centres for Seafarers is a registered charity and is an ecumenical collaboration between The Apostleship of the Sea, The Sailors Society and The Mission to Seafarers.

Notes to Editors

About DP World

DP World operates more than 60 terminals across six continents(1), with container handling generating around 80% of its revenue.  In addition, the company currently has 10 new developments and major expansions underway in 10 countries.

DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.  Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

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 17 consecutive years.

In 2010, DP World handled nearly 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 95 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

www.dpworld.com

• As of  September 2011. Includes non-container terminals