DP World signs lease agreement with Canada’s Rodney Container Terminal

DP World has struck a deal to operate its first port on the east coast of North America by leasing a 15-hectare container depot in New Brunswick, Canada.

The Dubai ports operator announced yesterday that it had signed a lease agreement to expand and operate the Rodney Container Terminal in the town of Saint John.

Under the terms of the deal, DP World will take over running the day-to-day port operations at the start of January next year and work with the Saint John Port Authority on an expansion programme to create a 350-metre deepwater berth, an enhanced stacking area and an intermodal rail yard with 3,650 metres of track.

Work is expected to be completed in 2021. The lease will continue for another 30 years after that.

In Canada, DP World already operates three west-coast ports: the Centerm terminal in Vancouver, the Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert and the Duke Point Terminal in Nanaimo.

The company, which is one of the world’s largest ports operators, said that its entry into Saint John will focus on Canada’s trade with Europe and Latin America, increasing sector competition in eastern Canada. It said that the deal would not be subject to Canadian regulatory approval.

“We believe that the future growth prospects for the port are strong,” said Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World’s chairman and chief executive. “Our investments and commitment to Canada are for the long term.”

The move comes as part of a global push by DP World to expand its strategic operations.

DP World last week signed a deal with Taiwan International Ports Corporation to develop a seventh terminal at Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Port to increase its Asian portfolio.

lbarnard@thenational.ae

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TRAINING FOR TOKYO

A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:

Four swim sessions (14km)
Three bike sessions (200km)
Four run sessions (45km)
Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body

ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon

For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.