UN/LOCODE: AEJEA📍 United Arab Emirates
Port of Jebel Ali (UN/LOCODE AEJEA)
❖ Coordinates: 24.9857°N, 55.0273°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Dubai
❖ UN/LOCODE: AEJEA
## About the Port
Jebel Ali (UN/LOCODE: **AEJEA**) is the premier container hub of the United Arab Emirates and the flagship facility of DP World, a global terminal operator. Situated in the emirate of Dubai at **24.9857145 ° N, 55.0272904 ° E**, the port lies within the **Asia/Dubai (GMT+4)** time zone, providing a strategic gateway between the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the wider Asian‑European trade corridor. Its location on a naturally deep‑water inlet allows year‑round berthing of vessels with drafts up to 18 m, making Jebel Ali one of the world’s deepest commercial ports.
The port’s development has been driven by Dubai’s diversification strategy, positioning the emirate as a logistics hub rather than a mere oil‑producing economy. Today, Jebel Ali processes more than **13 million TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units) per annum, ranking among the top ten busiest container terminals globally and the busiest in the Middle East. The facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a workforce of over **8,000** employees and a sophisticated digital platform that integrates automated gate systems, real‑time vessel traffic services (VTS), and blockchain‑enabled cargo documentation.
---
## History
The concept of a deep‑water port on the outskirts of Dubai emerged in the late 1970s, when the UAE government recognized the need for a modern maritime gateway to support the burgeoning trade volumes of the Gulf region. Construction of Jebel Ali commenced in **1979**, led by the then‑Dubai Ports Authority (later DP World). The first container terminal became operational in **1980**, with an initial capacity of 1 million TEU—a modest figure relative to today’s scale but sufficient to service early‑stage regional imports and exports.
Throughout the 1990s, the port underwent successive expansion phases:
* **1995–1998** – Installation of the first quay crane gantry and the introduction of roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facilities to accommodate automobile imports.
* **2000–2004** – Deepening of the approach channel to 18 m draft, allowing the accommodation of Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs).
* **2006–2009** – Launch of the Abu Dhabi–Jebel Ali rail corridor, linking the port to the national railway network for intermodal freight movement.
The 2010s marked a transformative era, driven by the adoption of automation and sustainability initiatives. In **2013**, Jebel Ali commissioned its first fully automated container terminal (Terminal 1), equipped with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and shore‑side cranes (SSCs) that reduced dwell time by up to 30 %. By **2021**, the port announced a carbon‑neutral target for 2030, incorporating shore‑power supplies, LNG‑fuelled equipment, and a green‑logistics certification program.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Waterway
- **38** deep‑water berths ranging from 350 m to 1,300 m in length.
- **Four** ultra‑deep berths capable of handling post‑Panamax and ULCV vessels up to **23 m** draft.
- **Two** dedicated Ro‑Ro ramps and **four** general cargo berths for break‑bulk, project cargo, and bulk commodities.
### Container Terminals
| Terminal | Area (ha) | Cranes | Annual Capacity (TEU) |
|----------|-----------|--------|-----------------------|
| Terminal 1 (Automated) | 450 | 12 SSCs + 8 AGVs | 3.5 million |
| Terminal 2 (Conventional) | 480 | 16 GRCs + 12 STS | 5 million |
| Terminal 3 (Deep‑water) | 520 | 20 GRCs + 14 SSCs | 4.5 million |
| Terminal 4 (Future) | — | — | 3 million (planned) |
*GRC = Gated Rubber‑tyred Crane, SSC = Shore‑Side Crane, STS = Ship‑to‑Shore crane.*
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail**: 45 km of dedicated freight rail linking to the UAE’s national network and the GCC rail corridor.
- **Road**: Direct access to the Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and the Emirates Road (E311), facilitating swift connections to Al Maktoum International Airport and inland distribution centers.
- **Free‑Zone Integration**: The adjacent Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) provides customs‑free warehousing, satellite logistics parks, and a suite of value‑added services (e.g., packaging, labeling, and cold‑chain storage).
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs & Inspection**: Fully integrated with the UAE Federal Customs Authority, enabling single‑window electronic clearance through the “Fahes” platform.
- **Marine Services**: Pilotage, towage, bunkering (including low‑sulfur and LNG options), and ship repairs via on‑site dry‑dock facilities.
- **Security & Safety**: ISO 28000‑certified supply‑chain security, AIS‑based VTS, and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
---
## Economic Importance
Jebel Ali is the linchpin of Dubai’s non‑oil GDP, contributing an estimated **US$ 12 billion** annually in direct port revenues and generating **over 150 000 jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and ancillary services. The terminal’s throughput underpins the UAE’s status as the **world’s third‑largest re‑export hub**, especially for electronics, textiles, and automotive parts destined for markets in Africa, South‑Asia, and Europe.
Key economic metrics:
| Metric | Figure (2023) |
|--------|----------------|
| Container throughput | 13.2 million TEU |
| Cargo tonnage (all cargo) | 120 million tons |
| Vessel calls | 9,800 |
| Net foreign investment (Port‑related) | US$ 3.5 billion |
| Share of GCC container traffic | ~45 % |
The port’s strategic alliances with major shipping alliances—such as the **Alliance One** and **THE Alliance**—ensure that Jebel Ali remains a primary hub within the **Asia‑Europe** and **Trans‑Pacific** loops. Its proximity to the **Suez Canal** (≈ 120 km) shortens transit times for vessels navigating the Red Sea, granting a competitive advantage over rival Gulf ports.
Beyond pure trade volumes, Jebel Ali catalyzes downstream economic activity. The JAFZA hosts **over 7,000** companies, ranging from multinational OEMs to start‑up fintech firms that leverage the port’s digital trade platforms (e.g., blockchain‑based Bill of Lading). The port’s ongoing “Smart Port” initiative—partnered with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** and technology firms—positions it as a test‑bed for autonomous vessel docking, AI‑driven predictive maintenance, and real‑time emission monitoring.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Primary Cargo | Typical Vessel Types |
|--------------------|--------------|----------------------|
| **East Asia → Jebel Ali** (China, South Korea, Japan) | Electronics, machinery, textiles | Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (20‑23 k TEU) |
| **South Asia → Jebel Ali** (India, Pakistan) | Automobiles, pharmaceuticals, agro‑inputs | Pan‑amax and Post‑Panamax containers |
| **Persian Gulf → Jebel Ali** (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar) | Oil‑field equipment, LNG, petrochemicals | Ro‑Ro, project cargo vessels |
| **Europe → Jebel Ali** (Germany, UK, Netherlands) | Luxury goods, chemicals, automotive parts | Feeder ships and ULCVs |
| **Africa → Jebel Ali** (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa) | Construction materials, foodstuffs | General cargo & bulk carriers |
Jebel Ali’s deep‑water berths enable direct calls by **40,000‑tonne** ULCVs without transshipment, reducing supply‑chain latency and handling costs. The port’s container mix is dominated by **dry containers (≈ 78 %)**, followed by **refrigerated containers (≈ 12 %)**—largely for perishable food products and pharmaceuticals—while **project cargo** accounts for the remaining share.
### Emerging Cargo Segments
- **Renewable‑energy components**: Solar panels and wind‑turbine parts are increasingly routed through Jebel Ali, reflecting the UAE’s renewable‑energy diversification plan.
- **E‑commerce parcels**: The rapid growth of online retail in the GCC and neighboring markets has spurred a surge in small‑package traffic, prompting the port to expand its “last‑mile” fulfillment centers.
### Connectivity to Global Networks
Jebel Ali integrates seamlessly into the **global maritime information system** via the **World Port Index** and **UN/LOCODE** database, ensuring that vessel schedules, berth availability, and customs data are instantly accessible to shipping lines, freight forwarders, and maritime authorities. For further technical details, see the official **DP World terminal specifications** (https://www.dpworld.com) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s UN/LOCODE directory (https://www.unece.org).
---
**Conclusion**
Jebel Ali stands as a paradigm of modern port engineering, combining deep‑water capability, advanced automation, and strategic intermodal linkages to sustain the United Arab Emirates’ ambition of becoming the world’s pre‑eminent logistics hub. Its continual capacity expansions, sustainability commitments, and digital transformation initiatives ensure that the port will remain a critical node in the evolving maritime trade network for decades to come.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AEJEA
Country
United Arab Emirates
Province / Region
Dubai
Latitude
24.985715
Longitude
55.027290
Timezone
Asia/Dubai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Jebel Ali?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Jebel Ali is AEJEA.
Where is Port of Jebel Ali located?
The Port of Jebel Ali is located in United Arab Emirates, Dubai. Its coordinates are 24.9857°N, 55.0273°E.
What time zone is Port of Jebel Ali in?
Port of Jebel Ali operates in the Asia/Dubai time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Jebel Ali.
Dubai
United Arab Emirates • 38 km awayPort Rashid
United Arab Emirates • 42 km awaySharjah
United Arab Emirates • 54 km awayAjman
United Arab Emirates • 68 km away