Al Rughailat and Dibba Al Fujairah ports to boost UAE trade capacity, strengthen supply chains and cement Fujairah’s position as a global maritime hub
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, witnessed the signing of an agreement between DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority to develop two multi-purpose ports under a 50-year concession: Al Rughailat Container Port and Dibba Al Fujairah Port.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World Group, and Mousa Murad, Director of Fujairah Port.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi said the agreement represents a strategic step that reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global maritime and logistics hub.
He said the project will enhance Fujairah’s economic infrastructure, attract quality investments, improve supply chain efficiency and create new employment opportunities, while supporting sustainable development goals and reinforcing the UAE’s competitiveness as a major centre for global trade.
The development of the two ports is expected to enhance logistical flexibility across the UAE by providing greater capacity, wider trade options and stronger connectivity with regional and international shipping routes.
The project will create a new deep-water trade gateway for Fujairah capable of accommodating the latest generation of large container vessels.
Al Rughailat Port is designed to handle up to 2.5 million TEUs annually, in addition to 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 car equivalent units (CEUs). Dibba Al Fujairah Port will add up to 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo handling capacity.
DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority plan to integrate each port with a dedicated logistics zone, creating a comprehensive trade and logistics ecosystem on the Arabian Sea.
The project is expected to strengthen Fujairah’s growing role in global maritime trade, leveraging its strategic location on the Arabian Sea and direct access to key international shipping routes.
Once operational, the two ports will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEUs to nearly 22 million TEUs, while significantly expanding capacity for general cargo and roll-on/roll-off vessel operations.
The ports will be connected to Jebel Ali through DP World’s logistics network and integrated with Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), allowing traders to move goods more efficiently between ports, logistics hubs and end markets.
The project will be implemented in phases, with construction expected to take between 24 and 30 months from the start date.
Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Department of Industry and Economy in Fujairah and Chairman of the Fujairah Ports Authority, said the project would contribute to accelerating growth in the trade and logistics sectors and support the wider UAE economy.
He added that the Al Rughailat and Dibba ports would provide world-class operational capabilities, expand capacity and help attract new investments to the emirate.
Essa Kazim said the UAE’s standing as a global trade and logistics hub has provided the foundation for DP World’s success over the past four decades, adding that the new investment reflects confidence in the country’s future growth.
“As an extension of the significant advantages enjoyed by Jebel Ali Port as one of the most important and largest container ports in the world, this project reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the UAE’s strategic role at the heart of global trade,” he said.
Mousa Murad, Director of Fujairah Port, described the partnership as a transformative development that will provide greater flexibility in maritime trade operations and support a modern economic ecosystem in the emirate.
DP World Group Chief Executive Officer Yuvraj Narayan said Fujairah Port and Jebel Ali Port complement each other in providing an integrated supply chain for the movement of goods within and beyond the UAE.
“This project will provide additional capacity to support long-term growth and enhance supply chain resilience across DP World’s network in the country, giving traders greater flexibility, wider choices and a stronger logistics network for moving goods across the UAE and to global markets,” he said.
