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Corridors of innovation - India and Dubai's infrastructure pact in action
While global attention often lingers on freight disruptions and shipping capacity, a more transformational shift is quietly unfolding between India and the United Arab Emirates.
The two economies are not simply moving more goods—they are reimagining the infrastructure that enables it. At the center of this transformation is the India–Dubai corridor—where bilateral investments, joint digital systems, and co-developed logistics hubs are setting a new benchmark for regional trade cooperation.
From deep-sea ports in Gujarat to dry port ecosystems in Maharashtra, and from Dubai's electric vehicle–equipped logistics hubs to shared cargo visibility platforms, a next-generation trade corridor is taking shape.
This is not just about improving trade. It is about engineering interdependence through concrete, code, and coordinated policy.
In January 2025, DP World confirmed a $2.5 billion
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global investment package, with a significant share allocated to Indian logistics partnerships and multimodal corridors connecting the subcontinent to the UAE. 'This US$ $2.5 billion commitment reflects our confidence in long-term trade growth and our determination to build the infrastructure needed to keep the world connected,' H.E.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, had then emphasised.
The Tuna Tekra terminal in Gujarat, developed in partnership with Adani Ports
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, is a flagship project. The facility includes a 1.1-kilometre berth, advanced handling equipment, and direct rail access to India's Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. It is already being positioned as a key node for cargo headed toward the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
'Gujarat's port infrastructure is no longer just for maritime throughput—it's becoming a base for integrated, value-added logistics,' said an official at India's Ministry of Ports.
On the other side of the Arabian Sea, Jebel Ali Port continues to evolve. With over 1,000 Indian companies
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operating out of its Free Zone, and increasing warehousing demand from Indian exporters of electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, Dubai's role is shifting from a gateway to a collaborative hub.
This deepening integration between Indian exporters and Dubai's multimodal logistics network is now being reinforced by a shared emphasis on sustainability and innovation—marking a new phase in the bilateral trade journey.
Sustainability is no longer a talking point—it is a design principle. At JNPT, India's busiest container port, a $131 million
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modernisation initiative funded by the Asian Development Bank is installing electric cranes, upgrading yards, and integrating solar energy into port operations.
'Enhancing trade infrastructure is no longer about volume alone. It's about climate resilience, smart energy, and urban integration,' said Ashok Lavasa, Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private Partnerships – Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Across the Gulf, DP World's Jebel Ali Port is deploying AI-enabled route planning for electric terminal vehicles. The model draws on lessons from the company's Callao port in Peru, where EV deployment saved 2,400 tonnes
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of CO₂ in just over a year.
India's Jalna Dry Port in Maharashtra is another vital node in the corridor. Once operational, it will process up to 10 million TEUs annually
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, directly linking central India's industries to global export lanes via JNPT and Tuna Tekra.
'India's freight corridors and dry port ecosystems are starting to mirror the integrated logistics we've built in Dubai—tailored for domestic scale and rural access,' said a DP World infrastructure planner involved in Indian operations.
Dubai is responding in kind. The Roads and Transport Authority
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has announced feasibility studies to build inland consolidation hubs based on India's Jalna and Dadri dry port models, aimed at decentralising last-mile freight.
Digital transformation is perhaps the most forward-looking development. In Q1 2025, Indian Customs and Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation began piloting a joint cargo visibility platform.
The blockchain-enabled dashboard allows real-time tracking from Indian factories to UAE warehouses. It also integrates customs clearances, container scans, and CO₂ footprint calculators. Industry leaders such as Soham Chokshi, CEO & Co-Founder of Shipsy, emphasise that digital visibility and automation are now mission-critical for SMEs exporting through corridors like India–Dubai, driving both reliability and sustainability.
On digitalisation and future-ready shipping, the Union Minister reiterated how it is the core strategy of India's maritime policy. India's naval policies, such as ONOP, NLP (Marine), and MAITRI, are streamlining port services, reducing transaction times, and enabling real-time data. India is also partnering with the UAE and Singapore to create Virtual Trade Corridors for seamless cargo movement.
'India's maritime vision, rooted in '
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
', promotes collaboration and shared prosperity.
As a reliable and responsible partner, India is committed to building a green, secure, and inclusive maritime future,' said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Meanwhile, DP World has begun rolling out digital twin technology in terminals at Nhava Sheva and Mundra, following successful deployments at London Gateway and Constanța. These simulations help ports optimise traffic flows, test maintenance windows, and reduce idle time for container lifts.
What's unfolding is not merely an exchange of goods—it's a shared blueprint for long-term infrastructure reliability and strategic cooperation. For India, it means access to high-performing logistics frameworks. For Dubai, it strengthens its position as a global distribution centre for South Asian exports into Africa, Europe, and the wider Middle East.
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