DP World records highest cargo volumes at Jebel Ali port

DP World has delivered another standout year for trade, recording its highest container and breakbulk cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015. The port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, up 1 million TEUs on the previous year. This marks the highest throughput since 2015, reinforcing Jebel Ali’s position as the leading trade and logistics hub in the region, even amid ongoing supply chain disruptions. The figure represents nearly 18% 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% year-on-year 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% of total shipments. Outbound shipments were led by sugar, iron and steel.