The UAE’s port infrastructure underpins its status as a global trade intermediary. Jebel Ali remains the Middle East’s largest container port and consistently ranks among the world’s top ten by throughput. Combined with Khalifa Port, Fujairah, and Sharjah’s Port Khor Fakkan, the federation processed over 20 million TEU in 2024. This tracker monitors aggregate and port-level container volumes against the national target of 25 million TEU by 2031.
Container Throughput: Target vs. Actual
| Year | Target (Mn TEU) | Actual (Mn TEU) | Gap | On Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — (Baseline) | 18.4 | — | Baseline |
| 2023 | 19.2 | 19.1 | -0.1 | On Track |
| 2024 | 20.3 | 20.5 | +0.2 | On Track |
| 2025 | 21.5 | 21.1 (est.) | -0.4 | Marginal |
| 2026 | 22.8 | — | — | Pending |
| 2031 | 25.0 | — | — | Target |
Port-Level Breakdown
| Port | Operator | 2024 TEU (Mn) | Share | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali | DP World | 14.8 | 72.2% | +4.8% |
| Khalifa Port | AD Ports Group | 3.6 | 17.6% | +11.2% |
| Khor Fakkan | Gulftainer | 1.2 | 5.9% | +3.1% |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Terminals | 0.5 | 2.4% | +2.7% |
| Other | Various | 0.4 | 1.9% | +1.4% |
Khalifa Port’s growth rate substantially exceeds the federation average, reflecting AD Ports Group’s aggressive capacity expansion and the relocation of industrial tenants to the Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD). Jebel Ali’s growth, while more moderate in percentage terms, adds the largest absolute TEU increment annually.
Global Rankings Context
The UAE’s combined port throughput places it among the top fifteen port nations globally. Jebel Ali alone typically ranks between eighth and tenth among individual container ports worldwide, behind megaports in China, Singapore, and South Korea but ahead of major European and North American terminals. Khalifa Port’s trajectory suggests it could enter the global top fifty within the next three years.
Capacity Utilisation and Expansion
Jebel Ali’s current capacity stands at approximately 19.3 million TEU following Terminal 4 expansion. At 2024 throughput levels, utilisation sits near 77 per cent, providing headroom for growth without immediate congestion risk. Khalifa Port’s deep-water berths are designed for eventual capacity of 15 million TEU, though current utilisation is closer to 30 per cent of that ultimate figure.
Risk Factors
| Risk | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Global trade contraction | High | Directly compresses throughput volumes |
| Red Sea shipping disruptions | Medium | Diverts some traffic but may also redirect volumes to UAE |
| Regional port competition (Oman, Saudi) | Medium | Erodes market share on specific corridors |
| Labour and equipment constraints | Low-Medium | Limits peak throughput during demand surges |
Outlook
The 25 million TEU target by 2031 requires a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3.4 per cent from the 2024 base. This pace is achievable if global trade volumes recover from the 2025 softness and Khalifa Port continues its current expansion trajectory. The IMEC corridor and Etihad Rail integration represent upside catalysts that could push throughput beyond current projections.
Current Assessment: On Track — fundamentals support continued growth within target corridor.