DP World, MOL sign deal for Jebel Ali automotive hub
The proposed development aligns with DP World’s strategy of capturing value beyond port handling.
UAE – DP World and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines have signed a deal outlining the framework for a proposed automotive logistics and processing facility at Jebel Ali Port, according to a joint statement.
Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, and Anand Jayaraman, Managing Executive Officer for South Asia and the Middle East Region at MOL, signed the agreement.
Facility scope and trade flows
The proposed facility would consolidate vehicle storage, pre-delivery inspections and other value-added services at a single port-side location.
The development is expected to increase vehicle storage capacity and support trade flows between automotive manufacturing centers in Asia and growing markets across the Middle East and Africa.
For instance, Jebel Ali Port handled nearly 1.1 million vehicles in 2025, positioning it as a major automotive transhipment hub.
The facility would allow vehicle imports to undergo inspection, accessory installation and processing before onward distribution, reducing handling stages that currently occur across separate locations.
For automotive manufacturers in Japan, South Korea, India and China, the hub offers a single point for vehicle preparation serving Gulf, African and South Asian markets.
Meanwhile, for regional distributors, pre-delivery inspection at Jebel Ali reduces lead times between vessel discharge and showroom delivery.
Strategic context and partnership history
The deal advances a long-standing collaboration between the two companies. MOL, headquartered in Tokyo, operated a fleet of 930 vessels and employed 11,567 people as of March 31, 2026, according to the company.
The group has expanded beyond shipping into infrastructure and logistics, including automotive terminal operations and vehicle distribution networks.
Furthermore, the proposed development aligns with DP World’s strategy of capturing value beyond port handling.
Meanwhile, Jebel Ali’s free zone and logistics infrastructure allow the company to offer integrated services spanning vessel discharge, storage, processing and inland distribution.
For MOL, the partnership secures dedicated automotive capacity at a Gulf gateway serving high-growth vehicle markets.
The timing reflects shifting automotive trade patterns. Middle East and African vehicle demand has grown as manufacturers expand distribution beyond traditional markets, while Red Sea routing disruptions have increased the value of Gulf-based processing capacity that keeps cargo closer to end markets.
Lastly, discussions on the proposed development are expected to continue before final agreements are concluded.
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