DP World Boosts Trade And Logistics Connectivity In Southeast Asia With Strategic Investments

DP World, a Dubai-based multinational logistics company, is focusing on strengthening trade and logistics connections in Southeast Asia by expanding its presence and improving supply chain management throughout the region.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, visited the region last week and signed a significant partnership deal in Malaysia and also opened two new facilities in the Philippines.

"The Asia Pacific region is a cornerstone of our global growth strategy. As the world's largest and fastest-growing market for outsourced logistics, we see immense potential here," Sulayem said, as per the statement posted on the Government of Dubai website Monday.

"We are committed to driving regional growth through partnerships and investments that improve trade connectivity for local businesses and communities," he added.

DP World set up its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2021 and since then, it has been actively growing its presence across the region. Currently, it runs 19 ports and terminals in Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

"We see significant potential in Southeast Asia as a growing hub for global trade, driven by strong economic growth and intra-regional trade. And investments in the region will continue as companies explore ways to build resilience into their supply chains through diversification," the DP World Group Chairman said.

"The opportunities for growth in APAC are vast and multifaceted. From the burgeoning logistics market in Greater China to the export-driven economies of Southeast Asia and the mature markets of North Asia, we are strategically enhancing our end-to-end capabilities across various sectors," he added.

Sulayem highlighted that the company's goal is to create seamless and efficient supply chains throughout the entire region.

DP World partnered with Sabah Ports, a subsidiary of Suria Capital Holding Bhd, to jointly manage Sapangar Bay Container Port in Sabah, Malaysia, to increase the port's handling capacity and make the state an important trade hub within the East ASEAN Growth Area.

Whereas, in the Philippines, the chairman inaugurated a massive upgrade at the Batangas Passenger Terminal, increasing the terminal's capacity to accommodate 8 million passengers annually.

This terminal is located 110 km from Manila and it acts as the largest inter-island hub in the country, improving connections between mainland Luzon and the nearby island provinces.

The chairman also inaugurated the new Tanza Barge Terminal in Cavite, which offers a direct sea connection to Manila. This terminal is expected to manage up to 240,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) per year and is estimated to save around 150,000 truck trips.