Dubai Rises to Top Five Global Maritime Hubs Solidifying Its Role as the Crown Jewel of the Middle East

Dubai Solidifies Status as Leading Global Maritime HubDubai has once again affirmed its premier position in the global maritime landscape, earning the distinction of “the crown jewel of the Middle East’s maritime sector” in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index. The influential report—issued by Xinhua News Agency and the Baltic Exchange—places Dubai firmly among the top five global shipping centres and as the leading Arab city in the field.Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, emphasized the significance of this accomplishment:”Dubai’s ranking as fifth globally and first in the Arab world in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index reflects the vision of our leadership, as well as the effective coordination between strategic partners and maritime sector companies in the emirate. We remain committed to continuous development, delivering world-class services, adopting global maritime best practices, implementing innovative solutions, updating regulations, and fostering a thriving maritime business environment to position Dubai as an innovative and sustainable global centre for shipping and logistics.”The report shines a spotlight on Dubai’s comprehensive maritime ecosystem, which encompasses navigation services, shipbuilding and repair, and robust vessel handling capabilities. It also references major initiatives such as the Dubai Maritime Transport Plan 2030, created to expand marine transport, enhance the city’s waterway network, and further develop Dubai Maritime City. These efforts align with the vision set by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to enhance economic diversification and maritime sector growth.A key highlight of the report is Jebel Ali Port, renowned as a strategic shipping hub in the region. Continuous investment in modern infrastructure and services has enabled the port to reach new milestones. In 2024, Jebel Ali handled **15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)**—its highest since 2015 and representing 18% of the global throughput (88.3 million TEUs) managed by DP World.On the sustainability front, the report commends Jebel Ali Port for its innovative measures to reduce emissions, such as supplying biofuel for ships, installing 50,000 m² of solar panels for renewable energy usage, and deploying electric vehicles for container handling. These initiatives collectively achieve an annual reduction of 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of Dubai Ports Authority, remarked:”We take pride in this achievement, which underscores Dubai’s strong position as a global maritime hub. Jebel Ali Port, operated by DP World under the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, continues to excel at both regional and international levels. Dubai Ports Authority is committed to proactive measures to enhance the maritime sector’s contribution to the strategic objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, through its three ports—Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, and Hamriyah—despite global economic challenges and market fluctuations. We are dedicated to preserving the emirate’s marine environment and ensuring the highest operational safety standards in the maritime sector.”With its steady focus on innovation, sustainability, and world-class infrastructure, Dubai is poised to strengthen its position as a vital global gateway for shipping and maritime logistics, continuing to drive economic growth and set new benchmarks for the industry.Team V.4-EM-UAE