DP World Strengthens Bridges Between China and Africa

In a strategic move reflecting the growing Emirati presence in the global trade system, DP World announced on November 2, 2026, the launch of a new weekly maritime shipping service named "China Africa Link". Scheduled to commence operations later this month, the service aims to enhance trade exchanges between China and East and Southern Africa, develop global maritime transport networks and supply chains, and solidify the United Arab Emirates' position as a pivotal hub in international trade.

The new shipping route connects the Chinese ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, and Nansha with Port Klang in Malaysia, reaching Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Maputo in Mozambique, before returning to China via Singapore. This route aims to facilitate the movement of goods between Asian industrial centers and African markets, provide additional options for exporters and importers, and support trade exchanges in machinery, electronic equipment, building materials, agricultural products, minerals, and raw materials.

This initiative coincides with massive investments led by DP World to develop African infrastructure, including allocating $165 million to expand the container terminal at the Port of Maputo in Mozambique, enabling it to double its handling capacity, alongside investments exceeding $500 million to modernize the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. These projects reflect an integrated economic vision combining port development, logistics service expansion, and enhanced trade connectivity between the Asian and African continents.

Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer of Marine Services at DP World, emphasized the importance of providing reliable and flexible transport networks that respond to rapid shifts in international trade. He noted that the new service falls within DP World's drive to develop interconnected trade corridors that offer businesses broader opportunities to access markets and enhance the continuous flow of goods.

The initiative holds special economic importance amid growing Sino-African trade relations and African economies' pursuit of improved export capabilities and foreign investment attraction. It also provides ports on the continent's eastern coast with opportunities to strengthen their role as trade gateways to domestic markets and neighboring countries, potentially stimulating industrial and service sectors and creating new economic opportunities.

The launch of "China Africa Link" embodies the expanding Emirati role in building international trade corridors, transitioning port investment from mere maritime facility management to the development of integrated logistics systems linking production areas to consumption centers. Through this step, DP World continues to cement its presence in African and Asian markets, reinforcing the UAE's position as a strategic partner in shaping the future of global trade.