DP World Records Highest Cargo Volumes at Jebel Ali Port Since 2015

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

DP World has had an outstanding year for trade, setting a new record for container and breakbulk cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port—the highest since 2015.

In 2024, Jebel Ali Port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which is one million more than the previous year. This is a big milestone and strengthens Jebel Ali’s reputation as the top trade and logistics hub in the region, despite ongoing supply chain issues. The port’s performance accounted for nearly 18% of DP World’s total global container handling, which reached 88.3 million TEUs last year.

Breakbulk cargo also saw remarkable growth, increasing by 23% compared to the previous year, reaching 5.4 million metric tonnes (MTs). This is the second-highest amount recorded in the past ten years.

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DP World GCC’s CEO & Managing Director, Abdulla Bin Damithan, said, “This achievement highlights the strength of our world-class ports and logistics system. The 15.5 million TEUs processed at Jebel Ali in 2024, along with the impressive rise in breakbulk cargo, show that we can meet the increasing trade demand. With the Jebel Ali Free Zone’s strong ecosystem and our solid partnerships with major global economies, we are ready to handle even more growth in trade. Despite global challenges, we remain committed to investing in better infrastructure to support trade.”

The increase in container handling was driven by strong demand from local and regional markets, especially from Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. New shipping services also helped by improving global connections, and the port’s smooth operations ensured that cargo continued moving despite obstacles like the Red Sea crisis.

Breakbulk cargo growth was fueled by rising investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and industrial projects in the region. The port handled large shipments of wind turbines, solar panels, heavy machinery, and construction materials. Around 80% of these shipments were imports, while exports mainly included sugar, iron, and steel.

Large-scale infrastructure projects in the region contributed to this demand, which is expected to continue. In the UAE alone, construction projects worth around $112 billion are planned for 2024.

Jebel Ali Port played a key role in supporting major international projects last year. It helped transport 45,000 metric tonnes of bagged wheat flour for humanitarian aid in the Middle East and Africa. The port also managed steel exports for an aluminum recycling plant in the U.S. and handled logistics for Liberia’s largest mining project by preparing and exporting 60% of its structural materials.

Jebel Ali Port is well-equipped to handle large amounts of cargo, with a container capacity of 19.4 million TEUs across four terminals. It has over 100 berths and a quay length of 25 kilometers. The port also has dedicated terminals for breakbulk, Ro-Ro, and heavy-lift cargo. In addition, Dubai’s Mina Al Hamriya Port supports these operations by handling bulk and breakbulk cargo and serving different types of vessels.

On a global level, DP World’s network of ports and terminals set a record by handling 88.3 million TEUs in 2024, marking an 8.3% increase from the previous year. This shows the company’s strength and ability to adapt despite economic uncertainties and global trade challenges.