DP World has signed an agreement in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority for a 50-year concession to develop and operate two new terminals on the UAE’s east coast, marking a significant expansion of the country’s maritime infrastructure.
The project includes the development of the Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal, aimed at strengthening Fujairah’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub.
The development will expand DP World’s UAE capacity and gateway network, giving customers greater choice, flexibility, and connectivity across regional and global trade routes.
The project will establish 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 annually, alongside 1.7 million tons of general cargo and 190,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs). At the same time, Dibba will add up to 3.6 million tons of annual general cargo capacity.
The new terminals build on Fujairah’s growing role as a global maritime hub. Positioned on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah is poised to become a leading center for maritime services, and the development of ports and a logistics zone will bring further investment, employment and long-term economic opportunity to the emirate.
Once operational, the development will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEUs to almost 22 million TEUs, while significantly expanding general cargo and Ro-Ro capability.
Essa Kazim Chairman – DP World
“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.”
Connected to Jebel Ali through DP World’s inland logistics network, the new terminals will be integrated with Jafza, extending DP World’s end-to-end supply chain across the UAE and enabling customers to move cargo more efficiently between ports, logistics hubs and end markets. Development will be delivered in phases, with construction expected to take approximately 24 to 30 months from commencement.
HH Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, Chairman, Fujairah Ports Authority, said that, “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,” HH Sheikh Saleh added.
