Dubai Ports (DP) World-UAE, the leading port operator of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), harvested a 17 percent growth in container throughput in 2006, the Emirates News Agency reported on Sunday.

The container throughput of the company hit 8.92 million TEUs ( twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2006, comparing to 7.62 million TEUs in the previous year, the report said.

"It has been an exciting year for our company. We are proud of the strong results achieved in 2006," Mohammed Al Muallem, vice- president of DP World-UAE, was quoted as saying.

DP World-UAE is the eighth largest port globally according to Containerization International, the report said.

"With increasing demand for shipping services in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and strong growth forecasts for the global shipping industry, we are resolved to continue leveraging the abundant opportunities available," Al Muallem added.

According to the report, new expansion programs at Jebel Ali port will be a key driver for the company's growth in 2007, enhancing the port's capability by 5-6 million TEUs and bringing total capacity to 14-15 million TEUs by 2008.

DP World-UAE has 51 terminals spanning 24 countries and a global capacity of more than 50 million TEUs, its website said.