DP World says Jebel Ali is open and posts 2025 profits

DP World has confirmed that Dubai’s Jebel Ali port has seen a drop in activity but is still fully operational, as the logistics and ports operator reported a surge in revenue and profit for 2025.

The government-backed company’s topline grew 22 percent year on year to $24.4 billion, it said in a statement.

Profit increased 32 percent to nearly $2 billion last year due to effective cost management, it said. Operating cash flow rose 14 percent annually to $6.3 billion.

“In an environment defined by heightened uncertainty and changing trade dynamics, our diversified portfolio, disciplined capital allocation and focus on high-yield cargo enabled us to deliver resilient earnings and strong cash flow,” the newly appointed DP World chairman Essa Kazim said.

Total gross throughput increased 6 percent to 93.4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU). Like-for-like revenue per TEU rose by 8.5 percent in the ports and terminals segment. 

Jebel Ali port recorded around 9 percent year-on-year growth in origin and destination volumes, reflecting stronger trade flows through Dubai and the UAE.

Earlier in the day the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that an unidentified projectile had struck a container ship 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, causing a small fire on board.

DP World confirmed that Jebel Ali port remained fully operational with no infrastructure damage, Reuters reported. However, it admitted that inbound vessel traffic had declined due to the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran.

• DP World sells minority stake in Jeddah terminal to Maersk
• DP World replaces chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
• Gulf cargo stuck as shipping calls ‘End of Voyage’ in Iran war

The conflict has disrupted energy markets and transport, nearly shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.

“While infrastructure remains fully operational, we are deploying regional rerouting and operational mitigation measures to maintain supply chain continuity during this period,” said group CEO Yuvraj Narayan.

Capital expenditure rose to $3.1 billion in 2025, up from $2.2 billion in 2024, to support growth in port capacity, which increased to 109 million TEU. 

The company has set its capex budget at $3 billion for 2026, focused on priority projects including Jebel Ali, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra in India, London Gateway in the UK and Ndayane in Senegal.