Trade, Logistics & Transportation
Trade, Logistics & Transportation
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, the UAE has become a leading global trade, logistics and transportation hub, supported by advanced ports, airports and supply chain infrastructure. The UAE's non-oil foreign trade reached a record AED 3.8 trillion ($1.03 trillion) in 2025, up 27% year-on-year, as the country continues to invest in technology, connectivity and international partnerships that facilitate global commerce and travel.
Trade & Logistics Company Highlights
DP World, established in 1972 with the development of Port Rashid in Dubai, has grown into one of the largest container terminal operators in the world. Owned by the Government of Dubai, its network spans 60 ports and terminals globally, and roughly 10% of all global trade moves through DP World.
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Gulftainer, a privately owned UAE-based port management and logistics company, offers end-to-end supply chain and port solutions. In the US, its subsidiary GT USA operates key facilities including the Canaveral Cargo Terminal in Florida and the Port of Wilmington in Delaware.
Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates, leverages the airline's global network of over 140 destinations across six continents. It operates two state-of-the-art Dubai cargo terminals with a combined capacity of over 2.3 million tons per annum.
AD Ports Group, owned by Abu Dhabi's L'IMAD Holding, is a premier integrated developer of trade, industrialization and economic diversification. It operates across five business clusters — Digital, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime & Shipping and Ports — connecting global maritime routes and trading partners.
Aviation & Transportation Company Highlights
Etihad Airways, the UAE's national airline, operates an advanced fleet including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and serves over 100 destinations worldwide, with nonstop flights to major US hubs like New York City, Chicago and Washington D.C.
Emirates, the world's largest international airline, operates the largest fleet of American-made Boeing 777s and connects passengers to over 140 destinations, including nonstop flights to 12 major US cities. In 2025, Emirates placed a $38 billion order for 65 additional Boeing 777X aircraft and is partnering with US tech firms like OpenAI to integrate AI into its operations.
Goals and
Investment Approach
The UAE's strategy centers on leveraging its geographic position and world-class infrastructure to remain a critical node in global trade, cargo and passenger travel. That means continued investment in port capacity and digital logistics through operators like DP World and AD Ports Group, expanded air cargo capacity through Emirates SkyCargo, and growing passenger connectivity through Emirates and Etihad. It also means deepening commercial ties with the US through equipment orders, technology partnerships and joint port operations. The approach favors long-term infrastructure investment and global partnerships over short-term gains, positioning the UAE as an indispensable link between East and West.
Future Outlook
As UAE non-oil trade continues its rapid growth, expect sustained investment in port capacity, digital logistics and air cargo infrastructure. Emirates' $38 billion Boeing order and growing AI partnerships point to continued fleet modernization and operational innovation, while DP World and AD Ports Group are likely to keep expanding their international footprint, including in the US. Combined with the UAE's expanding network of trade agreements, these investments should reinforce its role as one of the world's most connected trade, logistics and transportation hubs over the next decade.