MOHAMMED BIN RASHID VISITS MINA AL HAMRIYA, ANNOUNCES NEW QUAY AS PART OF MAJOR PORT EXPANSION

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Mina Al Hamriya today to review the port’s ongoing development and strategic role in powering regional trade.

During the visit, His Highness toured the port and was briefed on its role in supporting the UAE’s food sector and trade across the Arabian Gulf, especially in perishables and livestock. DP World officials also outlined future infrastructure plans to meet surging regional demand.

As part of the visit, DP World announced a major project at Mina Al Hamriya involving the construction of a 700-metre quay with a 12-metre draft, designed to accommodate larger vessels and expand the port’s cargo-handling capability.

These developments build on the port’s 2024 expansion, which added 1,150 metres of quay wall and significantly boosted berthing capacity. The port now handles a growing mix of steel vessels, breakbulk cargo, RoRo, containers and traditional wooden dhows – preserving its legacy while embracing modern logistics.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Mina Al Hamriya has been a vital part of Dubai’s trade sector for many decades, and we are committed to investing in the port’s growth while preserving its rich maritime heritage. This new expansion project will ensure Mina Al Hamriya continues to support our national economic vision while strengthening trade and food security across the region.”

Once a local hub for wooden dhows, Mina Al Hamriya now handles a broad range of commodities with key markets in neighbouring countries. It remains a critical gateway for fruits and vegetables as well as livestock, with imports expected to reach 1 million head of cattle in 2025.

Since last year’s upgrade, the port has also registered an 11% increase in vessel calls, rising from 2,430 in the first half of 2024 to 2,700 in H1 2025, reflecting strong customer demand.

The visit underlines Dubai’s continued investment in agile and future-ready infrastructure to enhance trade resilience and strengthen its position as a global maritime hub.