Shipping Arabia, October 10, 2026 – Dubai’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has announced plans to prioritize perishable food cargo at the emirate’s ports in response to regional shipping disruptions affecting vessel schedules and food supply chains. The initiative aims to reduce the impact of port delays on fresh produce shipments while addressing rising logistics costs and operational challenges facing food importers.
The announcement followed a meeting between PCFC, Dubai Chambers, and representatives of Dubai’s fruit and vegetable trading sector. Participants discussed the impact of regional disruptions on shipping operations, cargo movements, and food supply chains, alongside potential measures to maintain the continuity of food imports.
Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of PCFC, chaired the meeting and emphasized the need for closer coordination between port authorities, terminal operators, and the private sector to address current logistics challenges.
Dubai Ports to Give Priority to Perishable Food Cargo
Bin Damithan highlighted the impact of vessel berthing delays at certain regional ports on shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables. Such delays reduce the remaining shelf life of perishable products and create additional challenges for traders transporting temperature-sensitive food cargo.
In response, PCFC will work through Dubai Ports Authority, in coordination with terminal operators, to establish clear priority for perishable food shipments at Dubai’s ports.
The measure is intended to address the operational difficulties affecting food importers and facilitate the movement of fresh produce through the emirate’s maritime gateways.
During the meeting, traders identified several challenges affecting their businesses, including extended vessel waiting times at regional ports, increasing shipping and inland transport costs, and difficulties related to demurrage charges.
These concerns formed part of broader discussions on improving cargo handling procedures and strengthening the resilience of Dubai’s food supply chains.
PCFC Introduces Measures to Address Disputed Shipping Charges
Beyond cargo handling priorities, PCFC outlined mechanisms designed to improve transparency and address disputes involving shipping-related charges.
Bin Damithan confirmed that the corporation maintains an independent mechanism for reviewing contested fees fairly. This provides businesses with a formal process for raising concerns about charges they consider unjustified.
The corporation has also established a dedicated channel through the Dubai Trade platform to support transparent disclosure of fees. A separate complaints channel allows stakeholders to report concerns about charges and potential unjustified increases.
These measures aim to strengthen transparency and provide traders with clearer procedures for addressing financial disputes.
The issue of shipping and inland transportation costs will also remain under review as part of the follow-up measures agreed upon during the meeting.
Al Hamriya Port and Port Rashid Highlight Growing Cargo Activity
During the discussions, Bin Damithan presented operational figures demonstrating the importance of Dubai’s ports in supporting food imports and general cargo movements.
General cargo throughput at Al Hamriya Port exceeded 436,000 tonnes in 2025. The port also receives more than 700,000 head of livestock annually, reflecting its role in handling livestock shipments alongside other cargo.
Meanwhile, Port Rashid recorded 25,618 tonnes of general food cargo so far in 2026, compared with 20,547 tonnes in 2024.
The port also experienced a doubling of vessel calls, reaching approximately 600 visits.
Bin Damithan cited these figures to emphasize the importance of Dubai’s maritime infrastructure in supporting the food trading sector and maintaining cargo flows.
The operational activity at both ports formed part of the meeting’s discussions on improving port services and addressing challenges facing traders.
Joint Committee to Address Berthing Priorities and Logistics Costs
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in maintaining Dubai’s business competitiveness.
He highlighted Dubai Chambers’ commitment to maintaining direct communication with fruit and vegetable traders to understand their operational concerns and work with relevant authorities on practical solutions.
Lootah also stressed that the meeting would help translate feedback from traders into clear priorities for a joint follow-up committee. The objective is to strengthen supply chain resilience and support the continued availability of food products in Dubai’s markets.
Following the discussions, Bin Damithan directed the establishment of a joint follow-up committee chaired by Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of Dubai Ports Authority.
The committee will include representatives of the fruit and vegetable trading sector and relevant government entities. It will hold regular meetings and develop implementation plans to address emerging operational and logistics challenges.
Its priorities will include vessel berthing and cargo discharge arrangements, shipping charges, and inland transport costs.
Through the committee, PCFC and Dubai Chambers aim to maintain ongoing coordination with industry stakeholders and develop practical responses to challenges affecting food shipments.
The planned prioritization of perishable food cargo, combined with greater transparency over charges and continued engagement with traders, forms part of Dubai’s efforts to support food supply continuity amid regional shipping disruptions.
Source: Emarat Al Youm
