DP World has recorded its highest container and breakbulk cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015.
The port handled 15.5 million TEUs in 2024, up 1 million TEUs in the previous year. This marks the highest throughput since 2015.
The figure represents nearly 18 per cent of DP World’s total global container throughput of 88.3 million TEUs for the year.
Breakbulk cargo also saw significant growth, surging by 23 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to reach 5.4 million metric tonnes (MTs) — the second-highest performance in nearly a decade.
The growth in container throughput was driven by strong local and regional demand, particularly from Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, new shipping services that boosted global connectivity, and efficient operations that kept cargo flowing smoothly, despite challenges like the Red Sea crisis.
Breakbulk growth was fuelled by the region’s growing investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and industrial development. Jebel Ali handled large shipments of wind turbines, solar panels, heavy machinery, and construction materials, with imports making up 80 per cent of total shipments. Outbound shipments were led by sugar, iron and steel.
Major infrastructure projects in the region have fuelled the growth of breakbulk demand, which is set to continue, with the value of planned construction projects in the UAE alone reaching approximately $112 billion in 2024.
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Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, said: “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.”
Earlier this week, DP World invested £60 million ($75.6 million) in the UK’s trade capacity by ordering four new quay cranes for its Southampton container terminal.
