DP World handles over a million vehicles in 2024; China is top trading partner
China emerged as the top trading partner, contributing nearly 25 per cent of total vehicle volumes, followed by Japan, Korea, and India
DP World achieved a record-breaking milestone in 2024, handling 1.3 million vehicles across its terminals in Dubai, marking a 53.6 per cent increase from the previous year and the highest volume in the company’s history.
The majority of this volume — nearly 960,000 roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) units — was processed at Jebel Ali Port, reinforcing its position as the region’s premier automotive hub.
The remaining volume was handled at Mina Al Hamriya and Mina Rashid, further strengthening Dubai’s role as a critical gateway for vehicle imports and exports in the Gulf.
China emerged as the top trading partner, contributing nearly 25 per cent of total vehicle volumes, followed by Japan, Korea, and India. The surge in vehicle movement highlights the rapid growth of the automotive sector and DP World’s strategic role in facilitating global trade.
The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with electric vehicles (EVs) expected to surpass internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2036.
Given that China manufactures over half of the world’s EVs, the supply chain is adapting to support this shift towards sustainable mobility.
Hybrid vehicles, which combine electric power with traditional engines, are also seeing increased adoption worldwide. These evolving trends position Dubai as a key player in the global automotive trade.
Read From Detroit to Dubai: Key trends reshaping the global automotive landscape
DP World’s milestone aligns with global trends
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and MD of DP World GCC, highlighted Dubai’s growing importance in the automotive supply chain, stating: “Dubai’s emergence as a global automotive hub offers immense potential for markets in Asia and Europe, with positive ripple effects on our local economy.
“The automotive industry is a powerful catalyst for economic growth — creating employment, attracting foreign investment, and stimulating local businesses. DP World is committed to developing the necessary infrastructure to support this growth. Our state-of-the-art logistics hubs like Jebel Ali Port and free trade zones like Jafza — home to more than 930 automotive and spare parts companies — are integral to our global automotive supply chains strategy.”
The company’s vision aligns with global projections, which estimate passenger vehicle sales will grow from 94.7 million in 2024 to 109 million by 2030.
Jebel Ali Port’s capacity of one million car equivalent units, the planned development of the world’s largest and most advanced car market spanning 20 million square feet, and the expansion of Mina Al Hamriya underscore DP World’s commitment to meeting growing demand and supporting Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to double the size of the economy by 2033.
DP World’s record automotive volumes in 2024 signal Dubai’s growing prominence in the global automotive supply chain, positioning it as a crucial hub for vehicle trade and logistics in the years to come