Dubai has ranked 12th among the world’s leading maritime cities in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report, while Abu Dhabi has secured 15th place for the first time. The rankings recognise the UAE’s growing role in international shipping, port operations, maritime technology and logistics. Dubai also ranks fifth globally for maritime resilience, highlighting its ability to maintain trade operations during periods of disruption.
- Location: Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Organisations: DNV and Menon Economics
- Status: 2026 global rankings released on 12 November 2026
- Who is affected: Maritime businesses, shipping companies, investors and logistics operators
- Business impact: Strengthens the UAE’s position as an international maritime and trade destination
- What’s next: Continued investment in port infrastructure, technology, logistics and sustainable shipping
Dubai Remains the Middle East’s Leading Maritime City
Dubai has retained its position as the Middle East’s leading maritime city, ranking 12th globally in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report. Abu Dhabi has also entered the world’s top 15 for the first time, securing the 15th position.
Published by DNV and Menon Economics, the biennial report evaluates 50 maritime centres across five categories, including shipping, maritime finance and law, maritime technology, ports and logistics, and attractiveness and competitiveness.
The latest results highlight the UAE’s growing presence in the global maritime industry, with both emirates making progress in different areas of the sector.
Dubai’s position is particularly notable because it has maintained its overall ranking despite disruptions to regional shipping routes and supply chains. The emirate also secured fifth place in the report’s new maritime resilience assessment.
Dubai Ranks Fifth Globally for Maritime Resilience
One of Dubai’s most notable achievements in the 2026 report is its fifth-place ranking for maritime resilience. This assessment recognises cities that can maintain maritime operations and respond to challenges affecting international trade.
Dubai’s infrastructure, strategic location and connections between ports, free zones and transport networks have supported its position.
Jebel Ali Port, one of the region’s major shipping gateways, continued operations during a challenging period for regional trade. Its connections with road and rail networks also support the movement of cargo across the UAE and neighbouring markets.
According to Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai’s ranking reflects the emirate’s long-term commitment to developing its maritime sector.
The report also recognised Dubai as the world’s second most attractive city for relocating maritime headquarters. This highlights its appeal to international shipping companies and businesses looking for access to major markets.
Dubai Improves Its Global Business Competitiveness
Dubai has recorded significant progress in the report’s Attractiveness and Competitiveness category, moving from 15th place in 2024 to sixth in 2026.
This nine-place improvement was the largest among cities that appeared in the top 15 in both editions.
The emirate also shared first place with Abu Dhabi for entrepreneurship, ranked second globally for human capital and joint fourth for world competitiveness.
These results point to several factors supporting Dubai’s maritime business environment, including its international connectivity, skilled workforce and established commercial infrastructure.
DP World GCC CEO and Managing Director Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan highlighted the importance of regional cargo connections during periods of disruption. He said the company had moved nearly one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across the region using alternative routes and its multimodal network.
DP World is also investing in additional terminal capacity in Fujairah and strengthening regional connections to give customers more options for moving cargo into Dubai.
Looking ahead, Dubai ranked third among cities expected to lead the global maritime industry over the next five years.
Abu Dhabi Enters the World’s Top 15 Maritime Cities
Abu Dhabi has made one of the biggest improvements in the latest rankings, climbing from 22nd place in 2024 to 15th in 2026.
The emirate improved across all five categories assessed in the report. It also secured positions in the global top 15 for Attractiveness and Competitiveness and Maritime Finance and Law.
The findings reflect Abu Dhabi’s continued investment in maritime infrastructure, regulatory development, public services and digital transformation.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, said the improvement demonstrates the impact of long-term planning and collaboration in developing the emirate’s maritime sector.
Several organisations contribute to this development, including Abu Dhabi Maritime, the Integrated Transport Centre and AD Ports Group.
Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi also plays a role in connecting businesses, researchers, innovators and investors. The initiative operates under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre and supports collaboration across the maritime industry.
Sustainability is another focus area. Abu Dhabi Maritime CEO Captain Saif Al Mheiri highlighted the importance of reducing carbon emissions and encouraging innovation as part of the emirate’s wider maritime development plans.
How Are the World’s Leading Maritime Cities Ranked?
The 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report assesses 50 maritime centres selected from more than 15,000 cities worldwide.
DNV and Menon Economics use industry data, market assessments and feedback from 208 senior maritime experts to evaluate each city’s performance.
The five categories cover different parts of the maritime industry:
- Shipping: The strength of a city’s shipping activity and industry connections.
- Maritime Finance and Law: Financial services, legal expertise and commercial support.
- Maritime Technology: Innovation, research and technological development.
- Ports and Logistics: Port infrastructure, cargo handling and supply chain connectivity.
- Attractiveness and Competitiveness: Business conditions, talent, entrepreneurship and international appeal.
Singapore retained the first position in 2026, followed by Shanghai and London. Rotterdam and Tokyo completed the top five.
Dubai ranked 12th, while Abu Dhabi secured 15th place, putting both UAE cities ahead of several established international maritime centres.
The latest rankings reflect the importance of the maritime industry to the UAE’s wider economy. Shipping, ports and logistics support international trade, supply chains and business activity across several sectors.
For Dubai, its strong resilience score and headquarters relocation appeal could further strengthen its position as a base for international maritime companies.
Abu Dhabi’s improvement also highlights the emirate’s expanding maritime capabilities and its investment in infrastructure, technology and sustainable operations.
For residents, these developments matter because a competitive maritime sector supports trade connectivity, business opportunities and the movement of goods into and through the UAE.
The next phase will depend on how both emirates continue investing in port capacity, digital systems, talent and sustainable shipping solutions.
FAQs
1. What is Dubai’s global maritime ranking in 2026?
Dubai ranked 12th among the world’s leading maritime cities in the 2026 report published by DNV and Menon Economics. It also secured fifth place in the maritime resilience assessment.
2. What is Abu Dhabi’s maritime ranking in 2026?
Abu Dhabi ranked 15th globally in 2026, improving seven positions from its 22nd-place ranking in 2024.
3. Which city ranks first among the world’s leading maritime cities in 2026?
Singapore retained first place in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report, followed by Shanghai in second place and London in third.
4. Why is Dubai considered a leading maritime hub?
Dubai benefits from its strategic location, Jebel Ali Port, international shipping connections, free zones and established logistics infrastructure. Its business environment and ability to maintain operations during disruptions also contribute to its global standing.
5. Who publishes the Leading Maritime Cities report?
The biennial Leading Maritime Cities report is published by DNV and Menon Economics. It assesses 50 maritime cities across five categories using industry data and expert feedback.
UAE’s Maritime Industry Continues to Grow
Dubai’s 12th-place ranking and Abu Dhabi’s entry into the global top 15 highlight the UAE’s growing presence in international maritime trade. With both emirates investing in infrastructure, logistics, technology and sustainability, their performance will remain an important indicator of the country’s role in the global shipping industry.
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