DUBAI: In 2024, DP World reached an unprecedented milestone, managing a remarkable 1.3 million vehicles across its terminals in Dubai, marking a 53.6 per cent increase from the previous year.
The achievement not only represents the highest volume in the company’s history but also underscores the burgeoning growth within the global automotive industry and DP World’s significant role as a facilitator in the arena of vehicle imports and exports within the Gulf region.
The lion’s share of this record volume was handled at DP World’s flagship, Jebel Ali Port, where nearly 960,000 units were processed. This port continues to solidify its status as the premier automotive hub in the region. Additional operations at Mina Al Hamriya and Mina Rashid contributed to this impressive total, showcasing the organisation’s expansive capabilities in logistical management.
China emerged as the predominant trading partner for DP World, accounting for almost 25 percent of total vehicle volumes. This was followed by other key contributors, including Japan, Korea, and India.
Such partnerships are pivotal as the global automotive landscape is in the throes of a transformative shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), which are projected to outnumber traditional internal combustion engine vehicles by 2036. Given that China is responsible for more than half of the world’s EV production, the dynamics of the global supply chain are rapidly adapting to accommodate this transition towards sustainable mobility.
Catalyst for economic growth
Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, asserted the immense potential that lies in Dubai’s emergence as a global automotive hub. He highlighted the positive implications for markets in Asia and Europe, noting the automotive sector’s crucial role as a catalyst for economic growth—fostering employment, attracting foreign investment, and stimulating local enterprises.
The commitment of DP World to bolstering infrastructure is paramount to sustaining this growth trajectory. Bin Damithan emphasised this by alluding to the state-of-the-art logistics facilities at Jebel Ali Port and the extensive free trade zones like Jafza, which currently host more than 930 automotive and spare parts companies. These strategically designed hubs are instrumental in executing DP World’s global automotive supply chain strategy.
Furthermore, this vision aligns with global projections anticipating passenger vehicle sales to escalate from 94.7 million in 2024 to 109 million by 2030. The infrastructure enhancements at Jebel Ali Port, which boasts a capacity of one million car equivalent units, alongside the development of the world’s largest automotive market over an expansive 20 million square feet, and the ongoing expansion of Mina Al Hamriya, illustrate DP World’s unwavering commitment to meet rising demand and support Dubai’s ambitious D33 Economic Agenda aimed at doubling the size of the economy.
