DP World has installed 1,000 eco-engineered Living Seawalls panels at Jebel Ali Port, completing the first phase of a programme designed to increase marine habitat complexity and biodiversity, according to the company’s statement.
The project, developed with Living Seawalls, a programme of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, is set to expand to 6,000 modular panels by 2028, forming the region’s longest continuous waterfront structure dedicated to supporting functioning ecosystems. Each panel is designed with shapes and textures that mimic natural rock formations to help marine species settle and grow.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, said that ports play “a critical role in coastal resilience” and that science-based designs can enable infrastructure to support trade while restoring natural habitats. Biodiversity monitoring at Jebel Ali is scheduled to begin in 2026 to contribute to global research on ecological resilience in port environments.
The project supports DP World’s Ocean Strategy and aligns with global biodiversity targets under the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The installation builds on a pilot at the Port of Callao in Peru, where 66 species across 12 marine groups were recorded over 12 months, including seven species found only on the Living Seawalls surfaces. No invasive species were detected, while algal diversity and ecological functionality increased.
The company positions the Jebel Ali project as a scalable model for integrating science and sustainability into port development.
DP World is a global trade and logistics group headquartered in Dubai. It operates a diversified portfolio of port terminals, marine services, logistics solutions and technology-driven supply-chain infrastructure across multiple regions.