DP World targets all electric Jebel Ali fleet by 2030 as AD Ports maps US$636 million plan
DP World aims to convert all diesel and petrol powered equipment at Jebel Ali to electric by 2030, the company told the WETEX 2026 exhibition in Dubai in October. The port's electric terminal vehicle fleet grew from 14 units in December 2024 to 146 by October 2025. Along the coast, AD Ports Group has set out a US$636 million decarbonisation pathway over 25 years that includes electric tugs and the rollout of shore power.
At a glance
| Topic | |
|---|---|
| Jebel Ali target | All diesel and petrol equipment converted to electric by 2030 |
| Jebel Ali fleet | 146 electric terminal vehicles (Oct 2025), up from 14 (Dec 2024) |
| AD Ports pathway | US$636 million over 25 years, 139 initiatives to 2050 |
| Planned abatement | 2.9 million tCO2e cumulative |
| Emissions intensity | Down 6% in 2025 |
| Renewables | 47,960 MWh of RECs; 2,855 kWp solar PV installed |
| New AD Ports CEO | Dr Afif Saif Al Yafei, named 2 November 2026 |
Jebel Ali: from trial to fleet
DP World began electrifying horizontal transport at Jebel Ali in 2024. By October 2025 the port ran 146 electric internal terminal vehicles, which shuttle containers between quay cranes, yard stacks and gates. Of these, 35 were diesel units converted by DP World's own engineers and more than 100 were new vehicles from global manufacturers.
The port also added 11 electric empty container handlers and a network of rapid charging stations. DP World said the shift cut diesel use and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10%, equal to taking 2,255 cars off the road each year.
At WETEX 2026, a DP World engineering manager said trials had shown electric equipment outperforming diesel machines despite charging downtime, and that the results supported the case to leadership for a faster transition. Charging remains the main constraint: equipment can be out of service for long periods depending on the infrastructure in place.
AD Ports Group: a 25 year pathway
AD Ports Group's 2025 Sustainability Report, published in October 2026, lists 139 decarbonisation initiatives planned between 2025 and 2050. The group said the pathway carries a projected investment of US$636 million over 25 years and targets a cumulative reduction of 2.9 million tCO2e, aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 2°C.
Its stated ambition is net zero by 2050, with a nearer target to cut Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 22% from the 2024 baseline by 2034. Emissions intensity fell 6% in 2025 to 190.68 tCO2e per AED 1 million of revenue, while absolute emissions rose 13% to 3,957,755 tCO2e as revenue grew 20% to AED 20.77 billion.
The Maritime and Shipping cluster accounts for half of group emissions, which puts vessels at the centre of the plan. The group procured 47,960 MWh of renewable energy certificates in 2025 and has installed 2,855 kWp of solar PV to date.
Electric tugs at Khalifa Port
The report cites the deployment of some of the world's most powerful electric tugs and the rollout of shore to ship power. The flagship is Bu Tinah, a Damen built electric tug operated by SAFEEN Group at Khalifa Port. In November 2024 it set a Guinness World Record as the most powerful electric tug, with an average high peak bollard pull of 78.2 tonnes.
The group also plans an electric hydrofoil pilot boat. The report does not give capacity, berth or location figures for its shore power rollout.
New leadership as the group goes private
On 2 November 2026 AD Ports Group named Dr Afif Saif Al Yafei as group chief executive. He previously led TAQA Transmission, where he oversaw growth of the asset base and the capital investment programme, and held senior roles at Tabreed and ADNOC Gas. He succeeds Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, who has led the group since 2014.
The appointment comes as the group delists from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. L'imad, which already held 75.42% through ADQ, offered AED 6.25 per share for the remaining shares in August, and the offer's conditions were met in September.
Why it matters for ports
Both groups are moving from pilots to fleet scale electrification. At Jebel Ali, a 2030 aim that covers the whole equipment fleet turns charging capacity and grid connection into core planning questions rather than procurement details.
At AD Ports Group, a former power transmission chief now leads a company whose largest emissions source is its fleet. With a 25 year capital plan, a record setting electric tug in service and shore power under way, the berth side power supply becomes the next test.
Read more: AYK battery deal for Svitzer's electric tugs puts harbour charging in focus and Cavotec makes RTG crane electrification a modular battery question. Port electrification in the Mediterranean and beyond is on the agenda at DTF Malta 2027.
Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi have set their targets. Grid connections will now set the pace.
