DP World has made it clear that its ongoing expansion into the UAE’s east coast—specifically the new Al Rugaylat and Dibba terminal projects—is designed to provide strategic alternatives rather than act as a replacement for the Jebel Ali port. Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO of the company’s GCC operations, emphasized that replicating the massive scale and connectivity of Jebel Ali, which serves as the world’s largest man-made harbor, would be a multi-decade endeavor. Instead, these new facilities in Fujairah are being positioned to bolster the nation’s overall logistics capacity, with operations expected to kick off within the next 18 to 24 months.

Despite regional geopolitical tensions, Jebel Ali has remained a resilient cornerstone of global trade, having closed for only six hours since the onset of the current conflict. Al-Hassan expressed strong confidence that the port will maintain its central role for customers once the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens. This stability, supported by the thriving ecosystem of 12,000 companies within the Jebel Ali Free Zone, has helped DP World navigate recent challenges effectively. The company’s diversified global portfolio continues to show robust growth, with a 13.1 percent revenue increase reported in the first half of 2026, proving that their expansive network is well-equipped to handle short-term shifts in global shipping routes.