Dubai Deepens Maritime Links With Kuwait Arabian Post

(MENAFN- The Arabian Post) clearfix">

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai

Dubai's ports and customs authorities have opened fresh discussions with Kuwait to strengthen maritime transport, customs cooperation and trade flows, as Gulf economies push for more resilient supply chains amid shifting regional trade conditions.

Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in Dubai, met Khaled Abdulrahim Al Zaabi, Consul-General of Kuwait in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, at the corporation's headquarters in Dubai. The talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation across maritime services, customs facilitation, trade exchange and institutional coordination between Dubai and Kuwait.

Officials reviewed the role of Dubai's port, customs and free zone ecosystem in supporting supply chain continuity and easing trade movement for companies operating between the two markets. The meeting also placed emphasis on coordination between government entities, shipping stakeholders and trade service providers at a time when regional logistics networks are adjusting to higher geopolitical risks, route disruptions and rising demand for faster customs processing.

Bin Damithan said the corporation's work was aimed at helping the business community maintain stable trade flows despite global and regional pressures. PCFC oversees key elements of Dubai's maritime, customs and free zone infrastructure, including functions linked to Dubai Customs, Dubai Maritime Authority and related entities supporting the emirate's position as a logistics hub.

Al Zaabi praised the corporation's initiatives to strengthen UAE-Kuwait relations and commended its handling of the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi in Dubai waters. The response by Dubai Maritime Authority was highlighted as an example of operational readiness and institutional coordination in dealing with maritime incidents.

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The discussions come as the UAE and Kuwait continue to deepen economic engagement across trade, investment, finance and logistics. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached Dh44.8 billion in 2023, after standing at Dh44.1 billion in 2022, underlining the importance of efficient customs corridors and maritime links between the Gulf partners. Trade in the first half of 2023 alone stood at Dh22.3 billion, reflecting sustained commercial activity across goods, services and re-export channels.

Dubai's role is particularly significant because of its position as a re-export, warehousing and maritime services centre for the wider Gulf. Kuwait's trade connectivity with the UAE depends not only on direct bilateral flows but also on Dubai's ability to link Kuwaiti businesses with Asian, African and European supply chains through ports, free zones and integrated logistics platforms.

The meeting also reflects a broader policy direction across the Gulf Cooperation Council, where customs integration, digital clearance systems and transport connectivity have become central to economic diversification plans. Most goods moving within the GCC operate under a unified customs framework, while national authorities continue to refine procedures for risk management, inspection, documentation and compliance.

For Dubai, closer maritime cooperation with Kuwait fits into a wider push to reinforce port readiness and supply chain flexibility. PCFC held coordination talks with global shipping companies and freight associations in March to assess port capacity, marine support services, war-risk issues, route diversification and contingency planning. Those discussions highlighted the growing importance of public-private coordination in keeping regional trade moving during periods of disruption.

Kuwait is also investing in logistics and port capacity as part of its long-term development agenda. Its plans to advance maritime infrastructure, including strategic port projects, are expected to increase demand for coordination with established Gulf logistics centres. Dubai's experience in customs digitisation, free zone governance and multimodal logistics gives it a strong position in such cooperation.

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Customs facilitation remains a central part of the agenda. Faster clearance, better data sharing and stronger risk-screening systems can reduce costs for traders while improving compliance and border security. For exporters, importers and re-exporters, the practical benefits are measured in shorter cargo dwell times, fewer documentation delays and more predictable delivery schedules.

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