DP World has confirmed plans to develop two new cargo terminals on the UAE's east coast under a 50-year concession, expanding the country's port capacity while creating an alternative trade gateway outside the Strait of Hormuz.
The agreement in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority covered the development of the Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal, DP World said. Construction will be carried out in phases over the next 24 to 30 months.
Al Rugaylat will add 2.5 million TEU of annual container capacity, 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo capacity and facilities capable of handling 190 000 car equivalent units. Dibba will add a further 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo capacity. Together, the projects will increase DP World's container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEU to almost 22 million TEU, according to the company.
The new terminals will be developed in Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, providing direct access to the Indian Ocean without vessels having to transit the Strait of Hormuz. DP World said the location would give customers greater flexibility and strengthen supply chain resilience by expanding gateway options for regional and international trade.
The company said the terminals would be linked to Jebel Ali through its inland logistics network and integrated with the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), allowing cargo to move efficiently between the two gateways and onward to regional and global markets.
The additional capacity was intended to support growing trade volumes while complementing operations at Jebel Ali, DP World Group chief executive Yuvraj Narayan said.
"As Jebel Ali continues to operate at high utilisation, this expansion provides customers with additional capacity, flexibility and resilience across our UAE network while reinforcing the country's position as a global trade hub."
