In the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report by DNV and Menon Economics, Dubai remained the top maritime city in the Middle East and was rated 12th internationally, solidifying the emirate’s place among the world’s most important marine centers. The findings follow one of the most difficult years for regional shipping, when supply systems throughout the Middle East were impacted by disruptions to trade routes. With the backing of an integrated network of bonded corridors, road and rail connections, and free zones, as well as strong cooperation between government and industry, Dubai’s maritime sector and Jebel Ali Port continued to operate and facilitate the movement of goods during this time.
The analysis, which was published by DNV and Menon Economics, evaluates 50 maritime cities worldwide, chosen from over 15,000, in five areas: ports and logistics, shipping centers, marine technology, maritime finance and law, and attractiveness and competitiveness. The opinions of 208 prominent marine industry experts from around the world are combined with empirical data. Dubai was ranked fifth globally by industry experts in a new maritime resilience evaluation that was released this year, placing it among top maritime hubs like Singapore, Rotterdam, Shanghai, and London. The ability to organise, recover, and reroute activities is a crucial indicator of a maritime city’s competitiveness, according to the report, which acknowledged Dubai’s sophisticated infrastructure, strategic location, and growing diversity of maritime industry base.
“Dubai’s position as the Middle East’s leading maritime city reflects the vision of our leadership and a long-term commitment to building a world-class maritime sector,” stated Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). The significance of those foundations has been shown this year. According to industry analysts, Dubai is one of the top destinations in the world for businesses looking to set up a maritime headquarters.
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