Jebel Ali’s Breakbulk Surge Continues

By Simon West

Shahab Al Jassmi, chief commercial officer at DP World, shares insight on Jebel Ali Port’s record-breaking year for breakbulk, the sectors and projects driving cargo volumes, and the integral role of sustainability in the company’s strategic planning.

From the BreakbulkONE newsletter.

Q: Jebel Ali Port handled a record 630,000 tonnes of breakbulk in October 2025, the highest monthly total in almost two decades. What was behind that milestone, and how does the company plan to sustain this momentum moving forward?

SAJ: 2025 has been a strong year for breakbulk at Jebel Ali Port. Total volumes reached over 5.67 million tonnes, up 6% year-on-year, making it our strongest performance in almost two decades. October’s record month reflects that broader trend, with November volumes going up to 650,000 tonnes.

This growth came from strong industrial and infrastructure activity across the UAE and the wider Gulf. Throughout the year, we supported major transport, aviation and urban development projects, moving construction materials, heavy-lift cargo and project equipment across the region. Volumes also stayed strong beyond traditional peak periods, showing both steady demand and the consistency of our operations.

To keep this momentum going, we are focused on expanding multipurpose infrastructure, strengthening how heavy-lift and RoRo operations work together and improving planning and execution across the entire breakbulk journey.

Q: Across the GCC, which sectors or commodities drove the strongest growth in breakbulk volumes in 2025?

SAJ: In 2025, breakbulk growth across the GCC came from a wider mix of cargo than in previous years. Industrial activity remained important, but we also saw strong growth in commodities linked to everyday consumption, manufacturing and regional trade.

Major project cargo linked to utilities and infrastructure continued to move through Jebel Ali. One example is the Hassyan Desalination Plant, where around 70,000 cubic meters of high-pressure vessels and oversized equipment were handled through the port. These movements required precise sequencing and coordination to match the construction schedule, highlighting the region’s ability to support complex, time-sensitive projects at scale.

Alongside this, we saw steady growth in bagged cargo like food products and chemicals, reflecting population growth and the GCC’s role as a supply hub for nearby markets. Forest products like timber and plywood also increased, supported by ongoing construction and manufacturing activity across the region.

On the export side, GCC continued to build its role as a consolidation and redistribution hub. For example, last year we exported a 680-tonne ship loader as a single unit from Jebel Ali. Cargo of this size and height can only be handled where fabrication facilities sit close to the berth and where ports can support heavy, high-risk loadouts. Projects like this underline how the region and Jebel Ali in particular, are enabling increasingly complex breakbulk exports to markets across Africa, the Americas and parts of Asia.

Q: DP World last year increased automotive capacity at Jebel Ali with the opening of a 2.6 million square foot vehicle storage yard at Terminal 4. What does this add in practical terms, and how does it strengthen the port’s overall capabilities?

SAJ: The new yard strengthens Jebel Ali’s ability to handle growing RoRo volumes. It increases vehicle storage capacity by nearly 21% and 13,000 car equivalent units and brings total port-wide capacity to 75,000 CEUs.

It also improves day-to-day operations. An 800-metre quay now allows us to handle up to three RoRo vessels at the same time. By moving RoRo activity from Terminal 1 into this dedicated area, we have freed up berth space, reduced congestion and sped up vessel turnaround times.

This is a customer-focused investment. With vehicle volumes up 28% in the first half of 2025, the added capacity means faster service, more reliable access and smoother coordination between RoRo and breakbulk operations supporting complex automotive and project supply chains moving through Jebel Ali.

Q: With the first phase of the “Living Seawalls” project now completed at Jebel Ali, how important is sustainability to DP World’s strategy and can you share any other upcoming initiatives either at Jebel Ali or in the wider GCC region?

SAJ: Sustainability sits at the heart of DP World’s long-term strategy and guides how we design and operate our ports. The Living Seawalls project at Jebel Ali reflects this approach by supporting marine biodiversity within a busy, working port environment.

Alongside nature-based solutions, we are taking steps to reduce emissions from daily operations. At Jebel Ali, we have expanded our electric internal terminal vehicle fleet from 14 to 146 units, one of the largest deployments in the region. This will cut port-related emissions by more than 10%, equivalent to removing over 2,200 cars from the road each year. We have also introduced electric empty container handlers, reducing diesel reliance.

Today, Jebel Ali is fully powered by renewable energy and we are applying lessons from this transition across the region to drive meaningful progress on sustainability.

Q: Looking ahead, what investments or innovations can we expect from DP World GCC to strengthen its position as a preferred hub for breakbulk and project cargo?

SAJ: Our focus, going forward, is on building systems and infrastructure that stay flexible and ready for future demand. This includes continued investment in multipurpose berths, specialized handling capabilities and integrated logistics solutions that allow breakbulk, RoRo and containerized cargo to move smoothly through one connected ecosystem.

Digital tools will play a bigger role as well. We are investing in platforms that improve visibility, forecasting and coordination across the supply chain, helping customers plan and deliver complex projects more effectively. Combined with Jafza’s industrial base and Dubai’s global connectivity, these investments reinforce our role as a long-term hub for breakbulk and project cargo in the region and beyond.

DP World is host post for Breakbulk Middle East 2026.