In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdulla Bin Damithan oversees DP World’s portfolio, which includes ports and terminals, economic zones, marine services, logistics, and trade solutions. Before being appointed in July 2023 as the region’s leader, Abdulla served as DP World UAE’s CEO and Managing Director. Additionally, he oversees the company’s business plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two important GCC markets. His main goals are to provide cargo owners with end-to-end solutions, construct top-notch trade infrastructure in ports, terminals, and free zones, and promote increased supply chain sustainability, resilience, and efficiency.
In the UAE, Abdulla leads DP World’s Jebel Ali Port, ranked among the largest container ports in the world, and Jafza, the company’s flagship free zone and an essential part of the company’s integrated regional business model. This port connects over 180 shipping lines to over 3.5 billion consumers, while Jafza is home to over 10,000 businesses. Furthermore, Abdulla is also in charge of the South Container Terminal at Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Islamic Port.
Abdulla joined DP World in 2001 and has been integral to the company’s transformation from a port operator to a global smart trade enabler. During his twenty years in the industry, Abdulla has held several high-level positions, such as Chief Commercial Officer of DP World UAE, where he was responsible for revenue generation and overseeing the provision of services in several vital business areas, such as Ports and terminals and Trade Enablement.
Abdulla is an acknowledged leader in the Middle East’s maritime and logistics industries. He sits on the boards of several DP World ports and terminals. The global economy depends on trade because it generates opportunities and raises people’s living standards everywhere. DP World’s mission is to improve international trade flow while expanding the possibilities for its clients and the communities it supports worldwide.
With its workforce of over 103,000 dedicated, skilled, and multifaceted employees dispersed throughout 75 countries on six continents, DP World is driving trade towards a seamless supply chain that is prepared for the future.
To create more robust, more effective end-to-end supply chain solutions that have the potential to alter global trade, they are quickly transforming and integrating their businesses, which include ports and terminals, marine services, logistics, and technology. They are also combining the global infrastructure with local knowledge.
Last but not the least, by making investments in innovation, they are reshaping the future. They are at the forefront of disruptive technology, driving the industry towards better ways to trade and minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.