DP World has achieved a significant milestone in 2024, handling a record 1.3 million vehicles across its Dubai terminals. This represents a substantial 53.6% increase compared to the previous year, marking the highest vehicle throughput in the company’s history.
The flagship Jebel Ali Port played a pivotal role in this achievement, processing nearly 960,000 roll-on, roll-off units. This reinforces its status as the region’s premier automotive hub. The remaining vehicle volumes were managed at Mina Al Hamriya and Mina Rashid, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a critical gateway for vehicle imports and exports in the Gulf region.
China emerged as the top trading partner, contributing approximately 25% of the total vehicle volumes. Other significant contributors included Japan, South Korea, and India. This surge in vehicle movement underscores the robust growth of the automotive sector and DP World’s strategic role in facilitating global trade.
The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with electric vehicles projected to surpass internal combustion engine vehicles by 2036. China’s dominance in manufacturing, producing over half of the world’s EVs, has been a significant factor in this evolution. This shift towards sustainable mobility has prompted global supply chains to adapt, with hybrid vehicles—combining electric power with traditional engines—also gaining increased adoption worldwide.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, highlighted Dubai’s growing importance in the automotive supply chain. He stated, “Dubai’s emergence as a global automotive hub offers immense potential for markets in Asia and Europe, with positive ripple effects on our local economy. The automotive industry is a powerful catalyst for economic growth—creating employment, attracting foreign investment, and stimulating local businesses.” Bin Damithan reaffirmed DP World’s commitment to developing the necessary infrastructure to support this growth, emphasizing the role of state-of-the-art logistics hubs like Jebel Ali Port and free trade zones such as Jafza, which houses over 930 automotive and spare parts companies.
