DP World records highest cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015

DP World reported its highest container and breakbulk cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015, solidifying its position as a leading trade and logistics hub in the region.

The port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, marking an increase of 1 million TEUs compared to the previous year.

This performance represents the highest throughput at Jebel Ali since 2015 and accounts for nearly 18 per cent of DP World’s total global container throughput of 88.3 million TEUs.

In addition to containers, breakbulk cargo also saw substantial growth, increasing by 23 per cent year-on-year to reach 5.4 million metric tonnes (MTs).

This performance represents the second-highest level of breakbulk cargo throughput in nearly a decade.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and MD of DP World GCC, commented, “This performance reflects the strength of our world-class ports and logistics infrastructure.

The 15.5 million TEUs handled at Jebel Ali in 2024, along with the strong growth in breakbulk cargo, show our capacity to meet increasing demand in both sectors.

“With a thriving ecosystem in Jebel Ali Free Zone and strong ties with major global economies, we are well-positioned to support the region’s growing trade volumes. Despite global uncertainties, we remain committed to investing in advanced infrastructure to facilitate trade.”

The growth in container throughput was largely driven by robust local and regional demand, particularly from Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, as well as new shipping services that improved global connectivity. Efficient operations ensured smooth cargo flow, even amid challenges such as the Red Sea crisis.

DP World: Breakbulk cargo

Breakbulk cargo growth was propelled by increased regional investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and industrial development. Jebel Ali handled significant shipments of wind turbines, solar panels, heavy machinery, and construction materials, with imports making up 80 per cent of total breakbulk shipments. The remaining outbound shipments were dominated by sugar, iron, and steel.

The region’s growing infrastructure projects continue to fuel demand for breakbulk cargo, with planned construction projects in the UAE alone valued at approximately $112bn in 2024.

In 2024, Jebel Ali Port also played a critical role in supporting major international projects. This included facilitating 45,000 metric tonnes of bagged wheat flour shipments for humanitarian aid to the Middle East and Africa, consolidating structural steel exports for an aluminium recycling plant in the US, and streamlining logistics for Liberia’s largest mining project by handling the export of 60 per cent of its structural components.

Jebel Ali Port boasts an annual container capacity of 19.4 million TEUs across four terminals, more than 100 berths, and a 25-kilometre quay length.

The port also includes dedicated terminals for breakbulk, Ro-Ro, and heavy-lift cargo.

Additionally, Dubai’s Mina Al Hamriya Port complements these capabilities by handling bulk and breakbulk cargo and accommodating a wide range of vessel types.

Globally, DP World’s network of ports and terminals achieved a record 88.3 million TEUs in 2024, an 8.3 per cent year-on-year increase, demonstrating the company’s resilience amid macroeconomic challenges and uncertainty in the global trade outlook.