Self-driving tech firm joins venture to develop and deploy autonomous logistics in Dubai. 7 Nov 2026, 06:00 Oxa, an Oxford-based autonomous vehicle technology firm, has partnered with logistics giant DP World and the UAE government-backed Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) on a new venture in the Middle East. The joint venture, SHIFFT, aims to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous logistics across ports, terminals, industrial zones and DP World facilities in and around Dubai, beginning at Jebel Ali Port. These initiatives could later be expanded across DP World's network of more than 60 ports and terminals worldwide. The collaboration will focus on a range of logistics projects, including vehicle integration, autonomous driving capabilities, safety and assurance frameworks, fleet management and orchestration, traffic management and routing, operations in complex mixed-use environments, digital twin capabilities, situational intelligence systems, and operational performance optimisation. DP World operates more than 900 vehicles at Jebel Ali Port for inter-terminal container movement and shuttling cargo between quay cranes, yard stacks and terminal gates. It sees the transition to autonomous operations as a key component of its long-term operating strategy. Paul Newman, founder and chief executive of Oxa, said: "This collaboration aims to transform industrial vehicles into an intelligent, autonomous digital workforce capable of operating efficiently in complex, mixed-use environments. "By working with DP World, SHIFFT is helping to elevate operational fleet performance and strengthen the long-term resilience of supply chains." Ibrahim Al Najjar, SVP - information technology at DP World GCC, said: "For our customers and partners, autonomous technology translates into more predictable, resilient supply chains that keep cargo moving reliably and at speed. "It also creates opportunities for our people to build future-ready skills, while strengthening Dubai's competitiveness as a destination for trade and investment. "By co-developing these technologies here, around real operational needs, we are setting new benchmarks that will benefit the wider industry." Khalifa Al Qama, chief of research, development and innovation at DFF, added: "The selection of DP World as the first strategic partner of SHIFFT marks an important step in developing and implementing autonomous logistics solutions from Dubai. "This collaboration brings together world-leading operational expertise and advanced technologies to develop practical solutions that can be deployed and scaled globally."

DP World expects ocean freight rates to ease eventually, says COO. November 7, 2026 Global ocean freight rates are expected to decline eventually, despite the sharp increase in shipping costs triggered by geopolitical tensions and disruptions to key maritime routes, according to Abdulla Al Hashimi, Global Chief Operating Officer, Parks & Economic Zones, DP World. Speaking during a media interaction, Al Hashimi said the current surge in freight rates was unlikely to remain sustainable in the long term. He pointed to previous disruptions, including the Red Sea crisis, piracy incidents in 2012 and the COVID-19 pandemic, when freight rates increased sharply before eventually easing. "Eventually, freight rates will have to come down," he said, noting that the shipping industry had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adjust to disruptions affecting critical maritime waterways. Indian ports support alternative shipping routes. Amid logistical disruptions caused by the US-Iran conflict, DP World has redirected several major shipping lines through India to maintain cargo movements along the India-UAE trade corridor. Ships originally bound for Gulf destinations were diverted to DP World's terminals at Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Kochi, where cargo was discharged before being moved through alternative feedering and inland transportation networks. The arrangement connects Southeast Asia, India and Colombo with the UAE's eastern ports of Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, providing alternative access to the UAE and helping cargo owners navigate maritime bottlenecks. To strengthen overland cargo transportation from the UAE's eastern coast to southern and central parts of the Emirates, DP World has acquired more than 700 trucks over the past eight months. The company has also coordinated the movement of over 800,000 containers through its overland logistics network. India-UAE trade connectivity gains importance. Al Hashimi highlighted India's growing importance as a strategic trade and investment partner for Dubai, stating that alternative shipping routes have provided Indian cargo owners with additional options to access regional and international markets. DP World's two terminals in Fujairah are expected to further strengthen the Jebel Ali logistics ecosystem and expand connectivity for Indian businesses seeking access to the UAE and wider regional markets. Indian investment in Jebel Ali Free Zone rises. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, DP World's flagship Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) attracted AED 1 billion (approximately US$272.26 million) in new investments during the first half of 2026, while leasing out 13.2 million square feet of space. According to the company, 52% of the investment activity recorded during the period came after the regional disruption began. More than 270 Indian companies commenced operations in JAFZA during the first half of 2026, representing a 15.6% increase. India-UAE non-oil bilateral trade reached US$60.6 billion in 2025, registering 15% growth, further underlining the importance of the trade relationship. DP World's latest developments highlight the growing role of Indian ports and logistics networks in maintaining international supply chain connectivity during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

Dubai Future Foundation partners with DP World to develop autonomous logistics solutions in Dubai, worldwide. WAM 06 Nov 2026, 16:31 GMT+ DUBAI, 6th November, 2026 (WAM) - Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced a partnership with DP World, which becomes the first strategic partner of the recently launched self-driving logistics joint venture, SHIFFT. Established in collaboration with Oxa, a global autonomous vehicle technology company, the venture forms part of the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation Programme. It aims to harness the latest future technologies and advanced applications across service and logistics sectors, reinforcing Dubai's leadership as a global hub for developing and delivering best-in-class smart, autonomous logistics services and solutions. The partnership between Dubai Future Foundation and DP World will accelerate the development and deployment of the next generation of autonomous logistics solutions across ports, terminals, industrial zones and DP World facilities, beginning at Jebel Ali Port, with the potential to expand these solutions across the Group's network of more than 60 ports and terminals worldwide. The work will focus on a range of logistics solutions, including vehicle integration, autonomous driving capabilities, safety and assurance frameworks, fleet management and orchestration, traffic management and routing, operations in complex mixed-use environments, digital twin capabilities, situational intelligence systems and operational performance optimisation. SHIFFT will develop integrated solutions designed to operate within DP World's current and future technology environments. DP World operates more than 900 vehicles at Jebel Ali Port for inter-terminal container movement and shuttling cargo between quay cranes, yard stacks and terminal gates - and thousands globally across more than 60 ports and terminals. It views the transition to autonomous operations as a key component of its long-term operating strategy. Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at DFF, said: "The selection of DP World as the first strategic partner of SHIFFT marks an important step in developing and implementing autonomous logistics solutions from Dubai. This collaboration brings together world-leading operational expertise and advanced technologies to develop practical solutions that can be deployed and scaled globally." Ibrahim Al Najjar, SVP - Information Technology at DP World GCC, said: "For our customers and partners, autonomous technology translates into more predictable, resilient supply chains that keep cargo moving reliably and at speed. It also creates opportunities for our people to build future-ready skills, while strengthening Dubai's competitiveness as a destination for trade and investment. By co-developing these technologies here, around real operational needs, we are setting new benchmarks that will benefit the wider industry." Paul Newman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxa, said: "This collaboration aims to transform industrial vehicles into an intelligent, autonomous digital workforce capable of operating efficiently in complex, mixed-use environments. By working with DP World, SHIFFT is helping to elevate operational fleet performance and strengthen the long-term resilience of supply chains." This step reflects the shared vision of Dubai Future Foundation and DP World to develop advanced technology solutions that support the future of the global logistics sector and provide a practical model for developing and operating more advanced ports and terminals around the world. SHIFFT focuses on creating knowledge-, experimentation- and testing-led solutions for the most important emerging opportunities and technologies locally and globally, while increasing the productivity of existing sectors, services and fields by providing new pathways that enhance their economic value.