H.H. Sheikh Mohammed approves expansion of Hamriya port

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved 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. The port now offers a total of nearly 6.4 million sq. ft of storage space, up from 3.4 million, supporting Dubai’s growing trade ambitions.

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 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 per cent increase in vessel calls, rising from 2,430 in the first half of 2024 to 2,700 in the first half of 2025, reflecting strong customer demand. In H1 2025, the port handled trade worth approximately AED 9.07 billion.