DP World to develop Al Rughayalat and Dibba ports under 50-year Fujairah deal

Fujairah: DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority have signed a 50-year concession agreement to develop two multipurpose ports that will expand the emirate’s capacity to handle containers, vehicles and general cargo.

The agreement covers Al Rughayalat Port and Dibba Port and was signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

The development will establish a new deep-water commercial gateway on the Arabian Sea, giving businesses another route into the UAE and improving access to major regional and international shipping lanes.

Al Rughayalat to handle 2.5 million containers

Al Rughayalat Port has been designed to handle up to 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually.

The port will also have yearly capacity for 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 car equivalent units, allowing it to serve container shipping, vehicle movements and other commercial cargo operations.

Dibba Port will add up to 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo capacity.

Both terminals will be capable of serving a wider range of vessels and cargo types, while Al Rughayalat will be able to receive the latest generation of ultra-large container ships.

New logistics zones planned

Each port will be integrated with its own logistics zone, creating a connected network for cargo storage, distribution and onward transport.

The terminals will also be linked to Jebel Ali Port and the Jebel Ali Free Zone through DP World’s domestic logistics network.

The connection is expected to give customers more options for moving goods between Fujairah, Dubai, logistics centres and final markets across the UAE and overseas.

UAE container capacity to approach 22 million

DP World’s container-handling capacity in the UAE is expected to rise from 19.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units to nearly 22 million once both terminals are operational.

Capacity for general cargo and roll-on, roll-off operations will also increase.

The additional infrastructure is intended to support long-term trade growth and reduce pressure on existing facilities while giving importers, exporters and shipping companies greater flexibility.

Construction to take up to 30 months

The project will be delivered in phases, with construction expected to take between 24 and 30 months from the start of work.

The development forms part of Fujairah’s plan to strengthen its position as a maritime and logistics centre, supported by direct access to international shipping routes.

The two ports are also expected to attract new investment, create jobs and increase demand for logistics, transport, warehousing and maritime services in the emirate.

The agreement was attended by Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World Group, Mousa Murad, Managing Director of the Port of Fujairah, and other senior officials.