By: Trans.info

DP World generated $11.2 billion in revenue between January and June 2025, compared to $9.3 billion in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA increased 21.4% to $3 billion, while profit attributable to owners doubled to $532 million.

Container throughput across the group’s global network reached 45.4 million TEU, up 6.7% year-on-year. Volumes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose 12% to 16.9 million TEU, with Jebel Ali handling 7.8 million TEU (+6%). Asia-Pacific and India volumes increased 2.6%, while the Americas and Australia grew 7.9%.

“Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the continued closure of the Red Sea route, and rising uncertainty around global trade tariffs have caused significant disruption across the industry. Despite these challenges, our strategy of delivering integrated end-to-end solutions and operating critical infrastructure in key markets has allowed us to continue supporting cargo owners to move their freight and to deliver a strong set of results,” said DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

The company invested $1.08 billion in the first half of the year and expects to reach $2.5 billion in capital expenditure for 2025. Key projects include expansions at Jebel Ali Port, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra (India), London Gateway (UK) and Dakar (Senegal), as well as investments in DP World Logistics and P&O Maritime Logistics.

Across terminals where DP World has operational control, throughput grew 7.5% to 27.4 million TEU. The company highlighted its freight forwarding and multimodal transport network, which now spans around 300 locations and covers more than 90% of global trade lanes.

“This performance was underpinned by continued momentum in Ports & Terminals and Marine Services, supported by strong cash generation and a disciplined balance sheet. We remain well-positioned to fund strategic growth, maintain our credit strength, and respond to evolving market conditions,” group Deputy CEO and CFO Yuvraj Narayan added.

DP World expects to deliver a strong full-year EBITDA performance, citing sustained throughput growth, operational leverage in ports and terminals, and continued investment in capacity and digital capabilities.

Europe emerges as a growth driver while margins climb

For European hauliers and forwarders, several trends stand out from the half-year results:

• Europe outpaces Asia: Container volumes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose 12%, compared to 2.6% growth in Asia-Pacific and India. This underlines the increasing strategic importance of European gateways, including London Gateway in the UK, where expansion is underway.
• Profitability exceeds volume growth: While throughput increased 6.7%, profit rose 68.5%. This reflects higher margins, with DP World extracting more value through services such as forwarding, multimodal transport and digital tools.
• Expanding logistics arm: DP World’s freight forwarding platform now spans 300 locations and covers 90% of global trade lanes. By moving beyond terminal operations, the company is positioning itself as an end-to-end logistics provider — creating both opportunities and competition for traditional hauliers.
• Digitalisation focus: The investor presentation highlights ongoing digital investments, designed to streamline booking, customs and visibility. This could affect how European transport providers interact with DP World’s infrastructure.
• Resilience despite disruption: The company has grown revenue and profit despite Red Sea diversions and tariff uncertainty, showing that cargo is continuing to flow through alternative routes.

DP World’s capital expenditure plan also tilts towards hubs with strong European trade links, including Jebel Ali, London Gateway and Dakar, signalling where future capacity will be concentrated.