DP World celebrated its latest milestone this week, passing 100,000 employees globally, as the company continues its journey from a Dubai-based port operator to a truly global, end-to-end logistics provider.
Fatima Alburaimi, a 28-year-old Emirati national was welcomed as the company’s 100,000th employee. She joins DT World, a trade solutions service developed by DP World, as a technical programme engineer.
DP World’s story began in 1972, a year after the creation of the UAE, with its origins as the operator of Mina Rashid, Dubai’s first commercial port. Seven years later, Jebel Ali was inaugurated and has since grown to into a leading gateway port serving more than 3.5 billion people globally. Alongside Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the port has become a bedrock of the Dubai’s economy.
The company now has 101,440 employees from over 160 nationalities with operations spanning 76 countries and six continents. Roughly 10% of global container trade passes through its network. Offering a diverse workplace and exciting career opportunities to young talent, the workforce includes 17,120 female staff, representing nearly 17% of the total.
DP World employs 5,270 staff in the UAE – including employees at its global headquarters, Jebel Ali Terminals, Jafza and subsidiaries such Drydocks World. Of these, 1,052 are Emiratis, with females representing 35%.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Everyone always says people are their greatest asset. At DP World, we have worked hard to put that at the heart of our business. It is our people that have enabled us to grow into the company we are today. Reaching this milestone is significant, because it is a great testimony to our efforts as an employer, and to our ability to help enable the flow of global trade.
“I am particularly pleased to see a young female Emirati engineer join our growing team as it closely aligns with my own personal commitment to inclusivity and increasing female representation in DP World”, he added.
Maha Al Qattan, Chief People Officer at DP World, said: “At DP World, we are committed to our people. By helping young people in their career progression, DP World benefits too. We continuously draw on the experiences and ideas of our diverse global workforce, developing them to reach their full potential which shape our efforts to be a good employer for everyone. Hitting 100,000 employees marks is a great achievement to celebrate and I look forward to the milestone.”
Speaking about joining DP World, Alburiami, said: “I heard a lot about DP World, starting from my time at university, when I would see the company’s booth at careers fairs. Then every time it came up in the news or in conversation, I would be amazed by the company’s achievements. After graduating and having seen the company’s incredible vision at the DP World FLOW Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, I knew I wanted to be part of the journey.
“What really amazed me was the drive to do good in the communities where DP World works. As our sustainability efforts increase, I can see so many opportunities I can get involved in. It is rewarding to have the chance to do something that will make a huge difference to the people in our local areas,” Alburaimi added.
The company has cemented its position as a key contributor to the development of the local community in the UAE, through a number of programmes such as Tumoohi, a training initiative launched in 2016, providing new graduates with expert industry mentors practical training for problem-solving and developing other soft skills. As part of the programme, 16 graduates worked with shipping company, Maersk as apprentices, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Since 2017, a total of 251 Emiratis joined the Tumoohi programme, with more than 138 apprentices being offered full-time jobs in over 60 entities.
