Dubai Ports and Customs Authority Reports Outstanding Performance in 2024
The CEO of the Dubai Ports and Customs Authority, Nasser Al Neyadi, announced exceptional results for the year 2024, highlighting a significant leap in the organization’s achievements. This reflects the accelerating momentum in Dubai’s journey to establish itself as a global economic and maritime hub. He emphasized that the guidance and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, formed the foundational basis for development plans, enabling the authority to bolster its role as a key economic driver and vital supporter of the emirate’s economy. As a result, the authority facilitated trade operations amounting to AED 708 billion in 2024, reinforcing its financial and strategic contribution to the public budget and playing a critical role in maintaining Dubai’s progress and leadership in global growth, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Future Expansion Plans
Al Neyadi mentioned an initiative to restructure the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which will allow for significant new expansions equipped with modern infrastructure, thereby enhancing the ability to attract businesses and reshaping Dubai’s investment landscape for the next fifty years. He added that the authority employs stringent performance metrics, making every figure a starting point for new challenges. “True competition lies within ourselves, against our past achievements and set benchmarks that we raise each year,” he stated.
Historical Overview
This announcement was made during an extensive media briefing organized at the Dubai Government Media Office, part of a series titled “Session with a Leader,” attended by several local media heads and editors. Al Neyadi outlined the evolution of the Dubai Ports and Customs Authority, which started 138 years ago with the establishment of the Dubai Custom Department in 1886 along the shores of Dubai Creek. This marked the inception of trade in the emirate from modest beginnings to a robust vision and limitless ambition, positioning the authority as one of the most prestigious government entities in the region. The customs department is often referred to as the “mother of government departments” in Dubai, from which commenced a transformational journey that established Dubai as a vital commercial and maritime center globally.
Commitment to Growth and Security
Al Neyadi further stated, “From 1886 to today, the Dubai Ports and Customs Authority embodies the vision of Dubai to be the fastest-growing, safest, and most connected city in the world, driven by ambitious leadership and ongoing investments in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainability.”
He reiterated that the authority is steadfast in its mission to make Dubai the leading global hub for port development and smart maritime trade. Today, it plays a crucial role in Dubai’s economy, overseeing JAFZA, the largest free zone in the world, and represents a comprehensive economic ecosystem that includes over 12,000 local and international companies, generating more than half a million direct and indirect jobs.
Global Operations and Recognition
Al Neyadi highlighted that Dubai currently manages operations in over 146 ports worldwide across 76 countries, supported by a vast workforce of 155,000 employees. This global reach has earned Dubai the title of “the ports where the sun never sets,” underscoring the continuous movement of ships and operations around the clock across various time zones. The port portfolio includes Port Rashid, Al Hamriya Port, and Jebel Ali Port, which is among the largest shipping ports globally, along with a series of local facilities catering to commercial fishing and recreational maritime activities.
Support for Economic Agenda
Al Neyadi pointed out several projects and initiatives launched by the authority in 2025 to support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aimed at enhancing a competitive business environment that underlines Dubai’s unique status as a major maritime corridor on the global navigation map. Leading this initiative is the “Dubai Ports Code,” a pioneering project that serves as a specialized guide for developing port infrastructure, marinas, and maritime businesses in Dubai and around the world, providing a comprehensive framework for technical specifications and requirements linked to port management.
Technological Advancements
On the technological front, Al Neyadi noted that the authority is implementing an extensive digital strategy encompassing artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. Noteworthy projects include “Port Eye,” a monitoring system utilizing drones and AI to inspect infrastructure and ensure maritime operations’ safety, and “Maras,” a unified smart platform for managing and leasing marinas, which significantly reduces paperwork and service timelines. Additionally, “Digital 04” is a national company offering digital solutions that enhance the management of global trade and maritime operations.
Record Growth in Luxury Yachting
Al Neyadi also mentioned a remarkable 149% increase in foreign yachts visiting Dubai during the first half of the year, receiving 97 yachts compared to just 39 in the same period of 2024. This growth reflects the increasing global confidence in Dubai as a premier destination for luxury maritime tourism, supported by advanced infrastructure, world-class services, and tourist attractions that place the emirate among top yacht destinations worldwide.