Annual volume of all containers handled at ports Dubai 2013-2023

The Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is one of the busiest seaports in the world. The period between 2014 and 2018 saw the highest level of container movement at the port, ranging between 14.7 and 15.58 million units each year. The number of containers handled refers to any type of container movement conducted throughout normal day-to-day operations, such as loading, discharging, and any shifting required on ship decks.

DP World

Dubai’s strategic location has made it a hub for global maritime traffic, connecting trade between Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond. Dubai Ports (DP) World, which operates the ports in Dubai, also holds market share across multiple ports around the world, with total global revenue consistently increasing each subsequent year during the past decade. Additionally, the company is involved in strategic partnerships with other global logistic firms, such as their merger in July 2024 with Evyap Group to create an international logistics hub in Turkey.

Trade: the key to diversification

The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of diversification, scoring the highest economic diversification index among oil and gas giants in the region. Its strategy has been the focus of emulation for countries like Saudi Arabia, whose own project known as Vision 2030 seeks to follow in their footsteps and lower its dependence on fossil fuel exports. All logistics terminals in Dubai expected a growth in throughput in 2022. By 2024, the market value of the logistics industry in the UAE was estimated to exceed 16 billion U.S. dollars.