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History of United Docks
1857 – Creation of The Mauritius Dock
United Docks has a rich history of more than 166 years. The origins of United Docks dates back to 1857 when The Mauritius Dock created to support maritime and shipping activities in Mauritius.
Mauritius being primarily a monocrop economy dependent, on sugarcane in the early 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, The docks were of strategic importance and the linchpin for economic development.
In 1858, there was a peak number of 852 ships that were recorded as having entered the port of Port Louis. The Mauritius Dock played a pivotal role to service the ships and acted as a port of call for ships from Europe to Asia and vice versa.
1860 – Creation of Albion Docks
The Albion Docks was set up in 1860 as an extension to the growing business of The Docks in Mauritius.
1876 – Rebranding of The Mauritius Dock as New Mauritius Docks
In 1876, The Mauritius Dock was rebranded as the New Mauritius Docks, and the company was involved in handling and storing bagged sugar for the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate as well as general cargo in warehouses .
Over the years, The Mauritius Dock has undergone modernization and expansion to meet the growing demands of international trade
1973 – Merger of New Mauritius Docks & Albion Docks into Societe United Docks
In 1973, Albion Docks and the New Mauritius Docks were merged to form Société United Docks. From 1973 to 1980, Société United Docks continued with the loading, unloading, and storage of bagged sugar and general cargo. The Bulk Sugar Terminal came into operation in the year 1980, and Société United Docks stopped the storage of sugar as this task was passed on to the Bulk Sugar Terminal. However, from 1980 to 1983, Société United Docks was responsible for the storage of general cargo only. The Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd. was created in 1983, and this caused a drop in the business that Société United Docks was carrying out, which was the storage of general cargo. Thus, the docks company had to change their business model, and therefore, from 1983 to 1991, Société United Docks started to rent their warehouses and offices to companies.
1991 – Creation of United Docks
United Docks was incorporated on October 1st , 1991, and took possession of all the assets of Société United Docks. Another main turning point that took place in 1991 was that United Docks was listed on the official market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
From 1991 to 2014, the main mode of business of United Docks was mainly investment and finance.
2015 – Onwards
From tear 2015 onwards, United Docks Ltd reengineered business and transformed itself into a leading real estate development and asset management company with more than MUR 5 Billion of assets under management.
1857 – Creation of The Mauritius Dock
United Docks has a rich history of more than 166 years. The origins of United Docks dates back to 1857 when The Mauritius Dock created to support maritime and shipping activities in Mauritius.
Mauritius being primarily a monocrop economy dependent, on sugarcane in the early 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, The docks were of strategic importance and the linchpin for economic development.
In 1858, there was a peak number of 852 ships that were recorded as having entered the port of Port Louis. The Mauritius Dock played a pivotal role to service the ships and acted as a port of call for ships from Europe to Asia and vice versa.
1860 – Creation of Albion Docks
The Albion Docks was set up in 1860 as an extension to the growing business of The Docks in Mauritius.
1876 – Rebranding of The Mauritius Dock as New Mauritius Docks
In 1876, The Mauritius Dock was rebranded as the New Mauritius Docks, and the company was involved in handling and storing bagged sugar for the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate as well as general cargo in warehouses .
Over the years, The Mauritius Dock has undergone modernization and expansion to meet the growing demands of international trade
1973 – Merger of New Mauritius Docks & Albion Docks into Societe United Docks
In 1973, Albion Docks and the New Mauritius Docks were merged to form Société United Docks. From 1973 to 1980, Société United Docks continued with the loading, unloading, and storage of bagged sugar and general cargo. The Bulk Sugar Terminal came into operation in the year 1980, and Société United Docks stopped the storage of sugar as this task was passed on to the Bulk Sugar Terminal. However, from 1980 to 1983, Société United Docks was responsible for the storage of general cargo only. The Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd. was created in 1983, and this caused a drop in the business that Société United Docks was carrying out, which was the storage of general cargo. Thus, the docks company had to change their business model, and therefore, from 1983 to 1991, Société United Docks started to rent their warehouses and offices to companies.
1991 – Creation of United Docks
United Docks was incorporated on October 1st , 1991, and took possession of all the assets of Société United Docks. Another main turning point that took place in 1991 was that United Docks was listed on the official market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
From 1991 to 2014, the main mode of business of United Docks was mainly investment and finance.
2015 – Onwards
From tear 2015 onwards, United Docks Ltd reengineered business and transformed itself into a leading real estate development and asset management company with more than MUR 5 Billion of assets under management.
The Docks by numbers
100,000 sqm
Landownership.
35,000 sqm
Gross Lettable Area.
1,000
Number of Parking Slots.
50,000 sqm
Projects GLA.
Rs 3.6 Billion
Net Assets.
Rs 5.1 Billion
Total Assets.
99%
Occupancy Rate.
Timeline
First phase
The construction of the first phase of The Docks started in October 2020 and will be completed by May 2022.
Second Phase
The 2nd phase began in April 2021 with the construction of a second tower which will be completed by July 2022 .
Subsequent phases
Subsequent phases will include a Marina, luxury apartments, a bustling commercial boulevard with restaurants, pubs, bistros and cafes