DP World plans to invest $3 billion this year in the UAE and other countries in Asia and Africa, the Dubai-based ports operator said as it posted its first-half results.
Investments will be made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India and Saudi Arabia, as well as the UAE, the company said on Thursday.
“In the UAE, we are expanding our gateway network with two new terminals in Fujairah, extending the Jebel Ali ecosystem through an integrated supply chain,” DP World chairman Essa Kazim said.
“This will provide cargo owners with greater flexibility, more choice and enhanced supply chain resilience, while reinforcing our confidence in the UAE's future as a leading global trade and logistics hub.”
DP World is planning to develop two new deepwater terminals in the UAE, creating a direct route for global trade without vessels having to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
In July, the company signed a deal in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority under a 50-year concession to develop two sites on the UAE’s east coast – Al Rugaylat container and multipurpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal.
The project is to be developed in phases, with a 30-month timeline.
The latest announcement comes as the company on Thursday reported a 39 per cent drop in first-half profit despite a 13 per cent rise in revenue, as it managed disruption to global logistics due to the Iran war.
Net profit for the six months to the end of June declined to $585 million, while revenue rose to $12.7 billion.
DP World also said Jebel Ali’s infrastructure remains fully operational, with no damage. However, the conflict has temporarily reduced vessel traffic into the port.
The group has implemented mitigation measures across its regional network, including expanded inland connectivity, to support the continued movement of critical cargo. It has also boosted its logistics capacity, and last month acquired 700 lorries to expand its road freight network across the Gulf region.
The Middle East conflict, which began on February 28 with Israel and US bombing Iran, and Tehran lashing out at its Arab neighbours in retaliation, has disrupted business across the region.
Ship traffic across the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandeb strait, the two vital chokepoints in the Middle East, has been heavily disrupted.
DP World said gross container volumes, excluding Jebel Ali Port, increased by 5.4 per cent annually to 39,681 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first half of the year. Overall volumes fell by 5.7 per cent to 42,826 TEUs.
“While the near-term environment remains uncertain, we remain confident in the medium to long-term outlook for global trade,” Mr Kazim said.
“Supported by a high-quality portfolio, disciplined capital allocation and our integrated trade platform, DP World is well positioned to capture future growth opportunities and further strengthen its role in global supply chains.”
In the first half of 2026, DP World invested $1.5 billion across its existing portfolio, with the majority of capital expenditure directed towards expansion projects supporting additional capacity, terminal development and logistics infrastructure.
Last week, the company also announced the takeover of UK grocery distribution assets of US firm GXO Logistics.
The deal involved six contract logistics sites – five in England and one in Northern Ireland spanning more than 185,000 square metres – which serve UK retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, DP World said.
