DP World starts 36-hour Dubai–Iraq RoRo service

By Admin

17 Dec, 2025

DP World has introduced a groundbreaking 36-hour maritime service connecting Dubai’s Mina Rashid with Iraq’s Umm Qasr Port, offering a faster and more predictable alternative to traditional overland trucking routes. The dedicated RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) service is capable of handling up to 145 accompanied trailers per sailing, significantly reducing transit times, costs, and cross-border complexities for regional trade.

Purpose-Built Vessel for Efficient Operations
The service was inaugurated at Mina Rashid with the arrival of the DP World Express, a purpose-built RoRo vessel recently upgraded at Drydocks World. Scheduled to commence regular operations in December 2025, the vessel marks a significant expansion of DP World’s non-containerised cargo capabilities in the Middle East, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovative logistics solutions.

Accompanied Trailer Model Ensures Security and Reliability
Unlike conventional trailer movements that rely heavily on land corridors, this new service allows full trailer units to travel with drivers on board. This accompanied model provides a secure, door-to-door solution between the UAE and Iraq, minimising cargo handling, reducing risks associated with multiple handovers, and facilitating smoother onward transit into neighbouring markets such as Jordan and Syria.

Strategic Corridor for Bilateral and Regional Trade
The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials from both the UAE and Iraq, highlighting the strategic importance of the corridor. DP World emphasized that the service meets growing customer demand for faster and more controlled trailer movements, particularly in sectors where reliability and simplified planning are essential.

Sustainability and Two-Way Trade Benefits
Shifting a portion of freight from road to sea brings sustainability advantages, including lower carbon emissions and reduced congestion at land borders. On the return leg, the DP World Express will carry Iraqi export cargo back to the UAE, supporting balanced, two-way trade flows and enhancing overall asset utilisation.

Strengthening Regional Supply Chains
The Dubai–Iraq RoRo link enhances DP World’s integrated logistics network across the GCC, complementing its ports, customs facilitation, and inland connectivity. As regional supply chains increasingly seek resilience and efficiency, this new service positions Mina Rashid as a key maritime gateway for trade with Iraq and the wider Levant, offering shippers a reliable alternative in a complex operating environment.