DP World has reached an agreement in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority for a 50-year concession to develop two new terminals on the UAE’s east coast: the Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal.

The planned development will expand DP World’s capacity and gateway network in the UAE, giving customers additional choice, flexibility and connectivity across regional and global trade routes. The project is intended to create a new deep-water trade gateway on the UAE’s east coast capable of handling the latest generation of Ultra Large Container Vessels.

Al Rugaylat is designed to handle up to 2.5 million TEUs a year, together with 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 Car Equivalent Units, or CEUs. Dibba is expected to add as much as 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo capacity. TEU, or twenty-foot equivalent unit, is the standard measure used for container port capacity, while CEU is commonly used to describe vehicle-handling capacity.

The new terminals are part of Fujairah’s expanding role as a global maritime hub. Located on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, Fujairah is positioned to become a leading centre for maritime services, while the development of ports and a logistics zone is expected to bring further investment, employment and long-term economic opportunity to the emirate.

When operational, the project will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEUs to almost 22 million TEUs. It will also significantly expand the company’s general cargo and Ro-Ro capability in the country, adding capacity for cargo types that include breakbulk, project cargo and vehicles.

The new terminals will be connected to Jebel Ali through DP World’s inland logistics network and integrated with Jafza. DP World said this will extend its end-to-end supply chain across the UAE and allow customers to move cargo more efficiently between ports, logistics hubs and end markets.

The development will be delivered in phases. Construction is expected to take approximately 24 to 30 months from commencement.

H.H. Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Ports Authority, said: “The partnership with DP World marks an important milestone in Fujairah’s continued development as one of the region’s most important maritime gateways. The Al Rugaylat and Dibba terminals will bring world-class operating capability, expanded capacity and new investment to the emirate. We look forward to working with DP World to deliver a project that will benefit customers, communities and the UAE’s wider economy.”

H.E. Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, said: “The UAE has been at the heart of DP World’s story for more than four decades, and this investment reflects our confidence in its future as one of the world’s leading trade and logistics hubs. Building on the strength of Jebel Ali, this development deepens our commitment to the UAE and reinforces the country’s strategic role in global trade.”

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Chief Executive Officer of DP World, said: “Fujairah strengthens what Jebel Ali already delivers — a single, global integrated platform for moving goods across global supply chains and within the UAE and beyond. With Jebel Ali operating at high utilisation, this development provides the additional capacity to support long-term growth. For cargo owners, it means greater flexibility, more choice and stronger supply chain resilience.”

H.E. Capt Mousa Murad, Managing Director of the Fujairah Ports Authority, said: “This development will add significant new capability to Fujairah’s port infrastructure and enhance the range and quality of services we can offer to cargo owners and logistics customers. By combining Fujairah’s strategic location with DP World’s operating expertise, we aim to deliver modern, efficient terminals that support regional trade flows, strengthen connectivity and meet the highest international standards.”

Source: DP World