Definition

Jebel Ali Port is the flagship deep-water container port operated by DP World, located in the Jebel Ali area of southwestern Dubai. Opened in 1979, the port has grown into the largest in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region and consistently ranks among the top ten busiest container ports globally. The facility features multiple container terminals with a combined capacity exceeding 19 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), extensive general cargo berths, and a dedicated ro-ro terminal. The port serves as the primary transshipment and re-export hub for a catchment area covering the Gulf, East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Central Asia.

UAE Context

Jebel Ali Port is arguably the single most important non-oil economic asset in the UAE. The port’s growth from a greenfield project in the late 1970s into a global top-ten container facility mirrors Dubai’s transformation from a modest trading town into a world city. Its adjacency to JAFZA and the broader Dubai South development creates a logistics ecosystem that handles a significant share of the UAE’s total non-oil trade. Jebel Ali also serves as a major hub for United States Navy vessels in the region, reflecting the port’s strategic as well as commercial significance. DP World’s ongoing investments in automation and smart port technology ensure Jebel Ali remains competitive against newer facilities.

Key Data

• Location: Jebel Ali, southwestern Dubai
• Opened: 1979
• Operator: DP World
• Container capacity: Over 19 million TEU
• Global ranking: Consistently in the world’s top 10 container ports
• Adjacent zones: JAFZA, Dubai South, Dubai Logistics City
• Catchment area: Gulf region, East Africa, South Asia, Central Asia

Significance for Vision 2031

Jebel Ali Port is foundational to the UAE’s Vision 2031 trade and logistics targets. The port’s throughput volumes directly contribute to the national objective of reaching AED 4 trillion in non-oil trade. Continued investment in terminal capacity, automation, and integration with Etihad Rail freight services ensures Jebel Ali will remain the region’s dominant transshipment hub as global trade volumes grow and supply chain configurations evolve toward nearshoring models that favor the UAE’s geographic position.

Related Terms

• DP World - The multinational operator of Jebel Ali Port
• JAFZA - The free zone adjacent to Jebel Ali Port
• Dubai South - The master development surrounding the port area
• Khalifa Port - Abu Dhabi’s deep-water port and Jebel Ali’s emirate-level counterpart