ع
DP World announced the agreement with the Port of Fujairah in a statement released Wednesday, outlining joint initiatives to upgrade infrastructure and integrate advanced technologies across cargo handling and supply chain management. The partnership focuses on expanding terminal capacity while introducing digital solutions designed to streamline customs processes and improve connectivity with regional trade corridors. According to the company’s statement, the deal will leverage DP World’s international expertise to support Fujairah’s growth as a major bunkering and logistics hub on the eastern coast of the UAE.
The Port of Fujairah handled more than 19 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, a figure that reflects steady growth in bulk commodities and container volumes amid rising demand for diversified shipping routes away from traditional chokepoints, data from the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre shows. DP World’s statement noted that the new collaboration will prioritise sustainable practices, including investments in green port technologies that align with national climate targets. Industry analysts anticipate the agreement will help capture additional transshipment traffic as global carriers seek efficient alternatives in the Arabian Gulf.
Under the terms detailed in the joint announcement, both parties will collaborate on training programmes for local talent and the deployment of artificial intelligence tools to optimise vessel scheduling and inventory management. The initiative builds on DP World’s existing operations across more than 80 terminals in 40 countries, where similar digital upgrades have reduced processing times by up to 30 percent at select facilities, the company has reported in prior operational reviews. Fujairah’s strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz makes it an attractive node for oil and non-oil exports alike.
The UAE’s ports sector contributed approximately 15 percent to the national non-oil economy last year, according to Central Bank of the UAE economic reports that highlight the sector’s resilience following post-pandemic recovery in global trade flows. DP World stated that the Fujairah agreement forms part of a broader strategy to reinforce the country’s position as a logistics gateway between Asia, Europe and Africa. The partnership is expected to generate new employment opportunities while fostering closer integration with free zones in the northern emirates.
Executives from both entities emphasised the importance of seamless multimodal connectivity during the signing ceremony covered in the official release. DP World said in the statement that combined efforts would focus on developing cold chain capabilities and e-commerce fulfilment centres to meet evolving customer requirements. The announcement arrives as regional port operators face increased competition from expanded capacity in neighbouring Gulf states.
Trade volumes through UAE ports reached record levels in the first half of 2026, rising 8 percent year-on-year, preliminary statistics issued by the Ministry of Economy indicate. The DP World-Fujairah partnership aims to sustain this momentum by addressing infrastructure bottlenecks and enhancing service reliability for international shipping lines. Further details on specific investment amounts or timelines were not disclosed in the initial statement.
