Latest news with #DPWorldGCC
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
DP World expands vehicle capacity at Jebel Ali
DP World has significantly expanded its automotive logistics capacity to meet growing demand at Jebel Ali Port, with the launch of a new 2.6 million square foot vehicle storage yard at Terminal 4. The upgrade adds 13,000 CEUs (car equivalent units), raising the port's total storage capacity to 75,000 CEUs, and further cements Dubai's position as the Middle East's leading hub for automotive trade. The expansion includes an 800-metre quay that can handle up to three roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels simultaneously. By reallocating RoRo operations from Terminal 1 to the new purpose-built zone at Terminal 4, DP World is improving berth availability, speeding up turnaround times and expanding port space to meet growing customer demand and absorb future flows. Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, said: 'Dubai is scaling up its role as a global automotive trade hub and this expansion gives car manufacturers, dealers, and logistics providers faster, more reliable access to key markets across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.' Shahab Al Jassmi, SVP - Commercial, Ports and Terminals, DP World GCC, added: 'This is a customer focused investment. More yard space, quicker service and reliable berth availability are all designed to help the automotive supply chain grow.' The announcement comes amid strong growth in vehicle volumes. In the first half of 2025, Jebel Ali handled 545,000 vehicles at the port, up 28 per cent year-on-year. Imports accounted for 65 per cent of the total, primarily from China, Japan, Thailand, India and South Korea. The expansion is part of DP World's broader automotive strategy, which includes plans for a 20 million sqft advanced car market in Dubai, set to be the largest in the world. Together, these projects support Dubai's D33 agenda to double its economy by 2033 and become a global leader in smart logistics. WAM
Gulf Today
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
'Autoworld' to invest Dhs45 million in new Jafza facility
Autoworld International FZCO, the regional distributor for India's Bajaj Auto Ltd, has announced an investment of Dhs45 million to develop a new logistics and distribution hub in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The facility will enhance Autoworld's ability to serve rapidly growing markets across Africa and the Middle East. The agreement was officially signed in the presence of Abdullah Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC; Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks & Zones at DP World GCC; Kumar Motiram Lakhani, Chairman of Autoworld; Monish Lakhani, Managing Director at Autoworld and Vishal Lakhani, Director at Autoworld. Spanning over 162,000 sq. ft, the facility will include an assembly plant for Bajaj motorcycles and three-wheelers, as well as storage and distribution space for spare parts, tyres, and lubricants. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the hub will also support the introduction of new product lines through partnerships with international manufacturers, strengthening the company's presence. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World GCC, said, 'Autoworld's expansion underscores the strength of Jafza's integrated trade and logistics ecosystem which now connects 940 automotive companies from 88 countries. Last year alone, Jafza supported automotive trade valued at nearly Dhs102 billion.' The project is expected to create over 100 direct and indirect jobs, supporting Dubai's growing mobility and logistics ecosystem. WAM
Arabian Post
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Post
Autoworld Drives Bajaj Expansion with AED 45 Million Jafza Hub
Autoworld International FZCO is investing AED 45 million to construct a 162,000 sq ft logistics and assembly hub in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone, aiming to strengthen its distribution of Bajaj two‑ and three‑wheelers across the Middle East and Africa. Slated for completion by 2026, the facility will incorporate an assembly line for motorcycles and auto‑rickshaws, alongside dedicated storage for spare parts, tyres and lubricants. The hub also positions the company to introduce new products via partnerships with global manufacturers, reinforcing Autoworld's role as a premier Bajaj distributor in the region. Since establishing operations in Jafza in 2008, the company has leveraged the free zone's infrastructure to serve more than 25 countries. Industry analysts highlight robust growth in the global two‑ and three‑wheeler market, driven by urbanisation, e‑commerce and demand for affordable last‑mile mobility. Africa's motorcycle sector alone is expected to expand at nearly 5 percent annually. ADVERTISEMENT Autoworld director Vishal Kumar Lakhani described the initiative as 'a major step forward in our growth strategy', praising Jafza's connectivity, infrastructure and business‑friendly environment. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer at DP World GCC, noted the expansion affirms Jafza's status as an integrated trade and logistics ecosystem hosting over 940 automotive companies from 88 countries, with AED 102 billion in automotive trade processed last year. Beyond providing a regional nerve centre, the project is projected to create more than 100 direct and indirect jobs, and bolster the UAE's role as a logistics and mobility hub. High‑volume assembly and storage capabilities will better serve rising demand for Bajaj's fuel‑efficient vehicles in the MEA markets. Autoworld's strategic anchor in Jafza reflects broader trends in the UAE's economic diversification efforts. Situated across 57 sq km adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, Jafza contributes roughly 21 percent of Dubai's GDP and supports more than 144,000 jobs. DP World's vision to expand automotive trade workflows in the region aligns tightly with this investment, which dovetails with plans for the world's largest car market in Dubai. The timing corresponds with Bajaj Auto's reported surge in exports: the manufacturer recorded a 20 percent year‑on‑year increase in two‑wheeler exports in May 2025, while commercial vehicle exports rose by 37 percent year‑on‑year. These figures highlight strong global demand for Bajaj vehicles and validate Autoworld's investment in enhanced regional capacity. As urban centres across Africa and the Middle East evolve, an increasing number of consumers and enterprises are turning to motorcycles and auto‑rickshaws for cost‑effective, fuel‑efficient transport. Analysts say the segment is increasingly central to the expansion of last‑mile delivery networks and informal urban mobility. Autoworld's new Jafza hub will also support the launch of fresh Bajaj models in the near future, supplied through collaborations with international manufacturers. While specific products have not yet been disclosed, the facility's inclusion of tyre and lubrication storage suggests support for diverse vehicle categories. Over the past 16 years, Autoworld has distributed Bajaj products across more than 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East, establishing itself as a leading distributor on the continent. The forthcoming expansion affirms this leadership and aligns with structural trends in regional trade logistics.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From Ports to Power Moves: How Dubai is Reinventing Trade Infrastructure
From Ports to Power Moves (ET Spotlight) 27:16 Min | June 25, 2025, 2:06 PM IST How do you turn a logistics hub into a blueprint for the future of global trade? In this episode of Live, Work & Play in Dubai, we sit down with Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer – Parks & Zones at DP World GCC, to explore how Dubai is building the next generation of global trade infrastructure—combining clean energy, advanced logistics, and India-centric trade solutions. From the Middle East's largest rooftop solar programme and DEWA-powered zones to a 1.2 million vehicle auto market a ...Read More nd vertical warehousing models, Hashmi shares how JAFZA is evolving from a re-export hub to a green, smart, and efficient base for manufacturers and exporters. He also dives into Bharat Mart's role in simplifying access to both free zone and mainland markets for Indian businesses, and how CEPA-fuelled trade is already outperforming targets. This episode unpacks how infrastructure, policy, and innovation are converging to reshape the future of trade. ...Read Less
Mid East Info
06-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East Opens with Industry Call to Action to Keep Trade Moving - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE, May, 2025: The doors opened on the 11th Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East conference and exhibition today (6th May 2025) and was officially inaugurated by H.E. Eng. Hessa Al Malek, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC; Andrew Williams, President, Seatrade Maritime, part of Informa Markets, and senior representatives of the maritime community In a video address to a packed Main Stage, H.E Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure said: 'We aim to position UAE Maritime Week among the world's top maritime events, with all stakeholders' engagement in shaping the future of this industry. The UAE continues to rise as a global logistic hub, guided by visionary leadership and bold strategies. 'In the UAE, we continue to improve the ports' handling capacity, which today handles over 21 million TEUs. The maritime sector contributes nearly 136 billion dirhams, or $37 billion to our GDP, with a target to increase it to 200 billion dirhams, or more than $54 billion in the near future.' Speaking to 2050 net-zero targets, His Excellency added: 'In our view, the world needs to be aligned when it comes to net-zero targets by 2050, and for us in the UAE, we will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the UAE Net-Zero target by 2050.' The strategic partner of Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, DP World GCC delivered a hard-hitting keynote to the room from Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC, who said: 'Resilience, Partnership, Innovation and Sustainability define the future of maritime logistics and that's where the Gulf – and our region more broadly – has a real opportunity to lead. 'Let me start with resilience. More and more global operators are turning to the Gulf for stability. In a sector facing uncertainty, our region has proven to be an anchor point of stability, certainty and security. This is no accident. It's the result of years of coordinated investment in maritime infrastructure. The Middle East has multimodal marine networks that connect over 150 ports worldwide. From the $800 million expansion of the South Container Terminal in Jeddah to advanced automation at Jebel Ali, we are building smart, resilient maritime networks that can adapt to demand. 'The second priority is partnership. The Gemini Cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk is one example of how strategic partnerships can keep global trade moving. Together with our shipping line customers, we're coordinating vessel schedules, improving berth planning and enhancing operational efficiencies to ensure reliability. When shippers face instability, this kind of reliability is a necessity. And to scale this reliability, we need collaboration across the entire port network and the entire maritime value chain. 'The third need is innovation. Our industry has always been seen as slow and resistant to change – but I believe this stereotype is changing fast. In the past year, I have seen digitalisation and automation projects jump forward. From AI tools that help choose the best routes and save fuel, to digital twins and predictive analytics, innovation is front and centre. Today, platforms like CARGOES Flow have made our region a leader in anticipating disruption before it happens. This level of automation supports how our ports work together as part of a coordinated system. From gates to cranes to yard equipment, this technology is reducing human error, speeding up operations, and improving vessel call performance. Even upstream, we're seeing the positive impact this can have. 'Which brings me to my final point: sustainability. Maritime shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global emissions. And we can't stand still – even if the odds seem against us. Regulatory frameworks are already shaping how vessels operate and where they berth. We have no choice but to decarbonise – and fast. The good news is that the Gulf is ahead of the curve, because we're using maritime infrastructure to keep change within reach. Port equipment has been electrified across terminals. Investments are being made in shore power so all vessels can plug in at berth – reducing emissions, noise, and fuel burn. And with the UAE now home to the world's first carbon removal deal for a port operator, we're setting the bar for what comes next. He ended with a resounding call to action: 'The global trade landscape is changing. Today the waters are rough, and trade maps are being redrawn. But I am confident that we can navigate it successfully. Let's move together. Let's move smarter. And above all – let's keep trade moving.' The UAE Maritime Week is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure with Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East held as the focal exhibition and conference of the week-long activities. More than 7,000 maritime and shipping attendees will converge on Dubai during this period and a record 150+ speakers will share their knowledge at a packed – and free to attend – conference agenda at Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8 May as part of Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East. About Seatrade Maritime: For more than 50 years, Seatrade Maritime has brought the international maritime industry together, building an extensive global community through its news website, themed reports, podcast, global events and marketing solutions. Seatrade Maritime global B2B events offer excellent opportunities to reach new markets quicker and more successfully than any other maritime trade show. Through our events, thousands of shipping professionals establish and grow their business, build networks and learn about the latest industry innovations.
