Dubai has retained its position as the Middle East's leading maritime city, ranking 12th globally in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report by DNV and Menon Economics.
The ranking places the emirate among the world's leading maritime hubs, recognising its ability to keep trade moving despite one of the most challenging years for regional shipping.
Disruptions to major trade routes affected supply chains across the Middle East over the past year. However, Dubai's maritime sector and Jebel Ali Port continued operations, supported by close coordination between government authorities and industry.
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The emirate's network of bonded corridors, road and rail links, and free zones also helped maintain cargo movement and connections with international markets.
Dubai ranks fifth globally for maritime resilience
The 2026 report introduced a new assessment of maritime resilience, in which industry experts ranked Dubai fifth globally, alongside leading maritime centres such as Singapore, Rotterdam, Shanghai and London.
The report highlighted Dubai's advanced infrastructure, strategic location and growing maritime business base. It noted that the ability to respond to disruption, recover quickly and redirect operations has become an important measure of a city's competitiveness.
Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), said Dubai's position reflected the…
