DP World expands Jebel Ali port vehicle capacity with new yard and quay

DP World plans to expand its vehicle infrastructure at the Port of Jebel Ali, Dubai, by adding a new storage yard and a dedicated automotive quay at Terminal 4, as demand for vehicle logistics in the region rises. 

DP World reported that 545,000 vehicles have passed through Jebel Ali so far this year, a 28% year-on-year increase. Imports made up 65% of that volume, with the majority originating from China, Japan, Thailand, India and South Korea.

The 2.6m sq ft storage yard will add capacity for 13,000 car equivalent units (CEUs), increasing total capacity at Jebel Ali by 21% to 75,000 CEUs.

Alongside this, an 800m quay will be constructed at Terminal 4, capable of berthing three roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels simultaneously. As part of the upgrade, ro-ro operations will be reallocated from Terminal 1 to the new zone at Terminal 4 to improve berth availability and turnaround times.

“This is a customer-focused investment,” said Shahab Al Jassmi, senior vice president of commercial, ports and terminals at DP World GCC. “More yard space, quicker service and reliable berth availability are all designed to help the automotive supply chain grow.”

DP World has expanded its global ro-ro operations in recent years, increasing from 16 to 22 locations worldwide.

In an earlier interview with Automotive Logistics, Tiemen Meester, group chief operating officer for ports and terminals at DP World, noted that Dubai is positioning itself as a gateway for OEMs entering the region, with Jebel Ali serving as “a reliable and secure transhipment hub for the region.” 

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Part of this appeal is the port’s strategic location and strong multimodal links, offering rail and road connections across the Middle East and Africa, alongside advancements in digital management systems, inspection processes and specialised handling for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The port expansion forms part of DP World’s wider automotive strategy, which the company says will be key to supporting Dubai’s D33 plan – a government strategy aiming to double the country’s economy by 2033 and enhance its smart logistics capabilities. In addition to improving transport links, DP World is developing a 20m sq. ft advanced car market in Dubai, which is expected to be the largest in the world when completed.

“Dubai is scaling up its role as a global automotive trade hub, and this expansion gives car manufacturers, dealers, and logistics providers faster, more reliable access to key markets across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond,” said Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and managing director, DP World GCC.