DP World, one of the world's biggest port operators, is looking for acquisition opportunities in Turkey and Eastern Europe to grow its business, according to a senior executive.
The Dubai company currently operates terminals and logistics centres in countries including Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Cyprus and Greece.
“We are exploring markets,” Kris Adams, DP World's executive vice president of East Europe, said in Istanbul.
“It’s a logical question of the right opportunity at the right time,” he said. The container market in Eastern Europe is “very fragmented, where some consolidation is required and we definitely want to be part of that”, he added.
DP World's total revenue from its Eastern Europe operations in the first four months of 2025 rose 28.1 per cent year-on-year, while container volumes rose 17.5 per cent on an annual basis, according to data from the company.
“Revenues been growing quite rapidly, despite the fact that the market has been impacted by a number of geopolitical circumstances,” Mr Adams said.
“You've got the conflict in Ukraine, which is affecting the Black Sea economies. You've got the Red Sea passage, which has been obviously obstructed, which means that the voyage to get cargo here is a lot longer.”
With port operations spanning from Canada to Australia, DP World has been focusing on growing its business with new investments and acquisitions.
In May, the company revealed plans to invest $2.5 billion this year to expand its logistics network to boost international trade. The strategy includes launching major infrastructure projects in India, Africa, South America and Europe, it said in a previous statement.
DP World is also investing $1 billion in the London Gateway logistics hub to build two shipping berths and a second rail terminal. Acquisitions this year included taking full ownership of the Swissterminal in Europe.
DP World aims to expand further in Turkey, Mr Adams said. It currently operates two port terminals in Istanbul in partnership with Evyap Group which have a combined capacity of two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
“Turkey is the most significant market in this geography, purely in terms of logistics market. It's a $92 billion market, of which we are [a] small part, but where we do have the ambition to grow,” he said.
“We are a port operator, but we're also a contract logistics operator, which means warehousing, and also a freight forwarder. We have some really good relationships, with Turkish Airlines for instance, and we fly a lot of cargo. Turkey is producer of a lot of fruits, etc, which we're carrying now all over the place, including the Gulf.”
The company aims to operate more warehouses in the country, he said. “We will grow our freight forwarding network, integrate [it] with our global freight forwarding network, and we will move into new territories within Turkey as well.”
The signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Turkey in 2023 has also accelerated trade and investment in both directions, he said.
The UAE's non-oil trade with Turkey grew by 11.5 per cent on an annual basis to Dh148.9 billion ($40.54 billion) last year, official data shows.
Overall, DP World has passed 100 million TEUs of container-handling capacity across its global operations, it said this year. Its global gross container handling capacity increased by 5 per cent in 2024.
The Dubai company holds a 9.2 per cent share of the global container market, supported by a 33 per cent growth in capacity since 2014, it said in January.
Its revenue for 2024 grew 9.7 per cent to $20 billion on improved ports and terminals performance as well as contributions from new acquisitions and concessions. However, profit for the year was down 2 per cent at $1.5 billion due to higher finance costs.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
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On sale: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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Price: From Dh650,000
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Honeymoonish
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
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