DP World’s Manila Operations Secure Landmark 25-Year Concession Extension

Asian Terminals, Inc., the strategic Philippine partner of DP World, has renewed its concession to operate Manila South Harbour through 2063, marking four decades of infrastructure investment and regional trade leadership.

The renewal of a major port concession speaks to something deeper than commercial arrangement. It speaks to trust, to vision, and to a belief that sustained partnership creates lasting value. So it is with DP World’s extension of its operations at Manila South Harbour, where Asian Terminals, Inc. will continue its stewardship of one of the Philippines’ most vital maritime gateways for a further 25 years, through May 2063.

The concession agreement, concluded with the Philippine Ports Authority, arrives as ATI marks four decades of continuous investment in Philippine port infrastructure. Over these 40 years, the company has poured more than Php42 billion into developing and modernising its facilities, moving approximately 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units of containers, 57 million metric tons of non-containerized cargo, and 70 million passengers across its operations. These are not merely figures; they represent the flow of commerce, the movement of goods that sustain livelihoods, and the connectivity that binds a nation to global trade.

The extended concession period, running from May 2038 to May 2063, provides what Essa Kazim, Executive Chairman of DP World, describes as the long-term certainty necessary for meaningful investment. “The Philippines has significant long-term growth potential and an important role to play in regional and global trade,” Kazim noted. “Realising that potential requires sustained investment in world-class infrastructure that strengthens competitiveness and connects businesses to international markets.”

Jason Varsamidis, CEO and Managing Director of DP World Asia Pacific, emphasised the partnership’s evolution. “The renewal of the Manila South Harbour concession is a strong endorsement of ATI’s track record and the long-term partnership it has built with the Philippine Port Authority. Over four decades, ATI has played an important role in developing the infrastructure that supports Philippine trade, and this agreement provides the foundation to build on that legacy.”

The next phase of development centres on future-proofing the harbour against shifting global trade patterns and rising cargo volumes. This encompasses capacity expansion, the introduction of greener and more energy-efficient cargo-handling equipment, increased automation, and the adoption of advanced digital technologies. The commitment extends to safer, smarter, and more sustainable end-to-end port and logistics solutions, reflecting the maritime industry’s broader evolution toward environmental responsibility.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This concession renewal underscores the strategic significance of port infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region and the role that world-class maritime facilities play in facilitating regional trade. For Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, which maintains substantial commercial and investment ties throughout South East Asia, such developments reinforce the importance of robust, forward-thinking port operations as foundations for economic partnership and growth.

The agreement also reflects DP World’s expanding footprint and strategic positioning within the region. As the UAE-based maritime and logistics leader continues to strengthen its partnerships and secure long-term concessions, it demonstrates the global confidence in the company’s capabilities and vision for sustainable, technology-driven port operations that benefit trading partners across continents.

Source: WAM