Dubai has strengthened its position as a top global maritime hub after being termed “the crown jewel of the Middle East’s maritime sector” in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index report, released by Xinhua News Agency and the Baltic Exchange. Dubai is listed as one of the top five shipping hubs globally and number one in the Arab world.
Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, part of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, hailed the achievement stating: “Dubai’s ranking as fifth globally and first in the Arab world in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index reflects the vision of our leadership, as well as the effective coordination between strategic partners and maritime sector companies in the emirate.
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We continue to adhere to continuous development, providing world-class services, embracing global maritime best practices, applying innovative solutions, upgrading regulations, and creating a thriving maritime business community to place Dubai as an innovative and sustainable global shipping and logistics centre.
The report highlights Dubai’s comprehensive maritime ecosystem, offering navigation services, shipbuilding and repair, and capacity to handle the increasing number of vessels. It also emphasised the Dubai Maritime Transport Plan 2030, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to expand maritime transport usage, enhance the network of marine transportation, and develop Dubai Maritime City.
The report singled out Jebel Ali Port for special commendation for its regional shipping hub role based on ongoing investment in infrastructure and services. In 2024, the port recorded 15.5 million TEUs, the highest since 2015, representing 18% of the total 88.3 million TEUs handled by DP World, which operates the port.
In sustainability, the report cited Jebel Ali Port efforts in lowering emissions through providing biofuel to ships, the installation of 50,000 m² of solar panels for renewable power, and the utilization of electric vehicles to handle containers—resulting in a year-round decrease of 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.
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Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Dubai Ports Authority Executive Director, said: “We are proud of this achievement, which reflects the very robust position of Dubai as a global maritime hub. Jebel Ali Port, handled by DP World under the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, remains the best at both regional and international levels.”.
Dubai Ports Authority is dedicated to aggressive efforts aimed at increasing the maritime sector’s contribution to Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s strategic goals, using its three ports, Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, and Hamriyah, amidst global economic pressures and market fluctuations. We are committed to the conservation of the emirate’s marine environment and the provision of maximum operational safety standards in the maitime sector.
