The UAE’s position as a global logistics and trade hub is built on geography, infrastructure, and decades of strategic investment. Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, the federation handles approximately 30 percent of the Middle East’s trade volume and operates some of the world’s most advanced port, aviation, and rail infrastructure. Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, operated by DP World, consistently ranks among the ten largest container ports globally, while Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port and the Fujairah oil terminal complex add critical capacity for bulk, energy, and breakbulk cargo. The national target under We the UAE 2031 is to grow non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion by the end of the decade — a goal that demands continued expansion of both hard infrastructure and trade agreements.
Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway, represents the most significant new logistics infrastructure in a generation. The network connects the industrial zones of the western region and Abu Dhabi’s ports to the commercial hubs of Dubai and the northern emirates, offering freight operators a land-based alternative that reduces road congestion, lowers carbon emissions, and cuts transport costs. When fully operational, Etihad Rail will integrate with the broader GCC rail network, creating a peninsular freight corridor from Kuwait to Oman. On the aviation side, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, alongside Abu Dhabi International Airport, collectively handle over 100 million passengers and millions of tonnes of air cargo annually, supported by the Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai networks.
This section covers the infrastructure, policy, and commercial dynamics of UAE logistics and trade. It tracks port throughput, aviation capacity, rail milestones, free zone trade volumes, CEPA trade agreements, and the strategic positioning of the UAE within global and regional supply chains. Each article connects operational developments to the trade targets embedded in We the UAE 2031 and the broader ambition to make the UAE the world’s most connected trading nation.