DP World’s Jebel Ali port handled a record 630,000 tonnes of breakbulk cargo in October 2025, the highest monthly total in nearly two decades.
Recent increases in imports of iron and steel for major projects in the UAE, such as the Dubai Metro Blue Line and the Dubai World Central airport expansion, along with rising sugar exports, have been key drivers of breakbulk volumes at Jebel Ali.
“The steady rise in volumes demonstrates how we are helping customers meet growing infrastructure demand while keeping supply chains efficient and resilient. As the UAE continues to invest in infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics, we remain committed to expanding our capacity, technology and sustainability initiatives to support long-term growth,” said Shahab Al Jassmi, chief commercial officer, ports and terminals at DP World GCC.
Building on a strong 2024 performance, when breakbulk volumes rose 23 percent year-on-year to 5.36 million tonnes, DP World said this new record reflects continued momentum across the UAE’s industrial base and its growing role in global trade.
HLPFI spoke with Jassimi for our Ports and Terminals supplement, which was published alongside our September/October 2025 edition. Along with Jebel Ali, the expansion of Mina Al Hamriya port – also in Dubai – has added to DP World’s ability to handle a variety of project cargo. Five new berths and a quay extension have provided an additional 1,000 m to the facility, with the port taking on a complementary role in easing congestion and handling specialised cargo.
He said that imports accounted for 80 percent of breakbulk shipments in 2024, but export activity is certainly on the rise. “The GCC is emerging as a consolidation hub for structural steel and processed goods headed to markets like the US and Africa. Jebel Ali, in particular, is supporting outbound shipments of high-volume industrial cargo including steel, sugar and iron,” he explained.
In terms of investment plans at Jebel Ali, there will be upgrades to infrastructure and equipment, along with deploying automation to improve operational resilience, including integrating smart technologies and optimising yard space for oversized cargo. “Ongoing investments in workforce development, digitisation and sustainability – like the roll-out of electric trucks at Jebel Ali port in partnership with Einride and our artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Cargoes P&T platform – also reinforce our long-term commitment to capacity building.”
