AE Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
A United Arab Emirates UN-LOCODE normally begins with AE. Examples in the database include AEJEA for Jebel Ali, AEDXB for Dubai, AEAUH for Abu Dhabi and AEKFA for Khor Fakkan.
Seaports in United Arab Emirates: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
United Arab Emirates has 29 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and serves as a major Gulf gateway, transshipment hub and logistics platform linking Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Explore United Arab Emirates port codes, principal container gateways, regional cargo clusters and indicative trade lanes.
United Arab Emirates Port Overview
United Arab Emirates combines large-scale container terminals, energy export facilities, multipurpose ports and feeder gateways on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Ecer Freight coverage is an indexed database count, while throughput figures below use separate official or operator-reported statistical definitions.
29
United Arab Emirates ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
15.5M
Jebel Ali container throughput in 2025; approximately +7.8% YoY
DP World 2025 operating update
5.4M
Khalifa Port container throughput in 2025; approximately +8% YoY
AD Ports Group 2025 operating update
—
National berth total for 2025; no consistently consolidated public figure
Official national series not consolidated
How many seaports does United Arab Emirates have?
United Arab Emirates has 29 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage count rather than a statutory count of every marine facility.
What is the largest container port in United Arab Emirates?
Jebel Ali, listed as AEJEA, is generally regarded as the largest container gateway in United Arab Emirates by publicly reported container throughput.
Which areas handle the main freight flows?
The principal freight clusters are the Dubai–Jebel Ali corridor, Abu Dhabi and Khalifa Port, and the northern and eastern gateways including Sharjah, Khor Fakkan and Fujairah.
Top United Arab Emirates Ports by Container and Freight Activity
The table highlights the leading ports and terminals represented in the Ecer Freight sample. World rankings and throughput are shown only where a comparable public container statistic is available; port-level definitions may differ between operators and authorities.
Indicative 2025 container throughput league table; figures are rounded and subject to confirmation.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Jebel Ali | AEJEA | 15.5 | +7.8% | Dubai |
| — | Dubai | AEDXB | — | — | Dubai |
| — | Abu Dhabi | AEAUH | — | — | Abu Dhabi |
| — | Sharjah | AESHJ | — | — | Sharjah |
| — | Port Rashid | AEPRA | — | — | Dubai |
| — | Khor Fakkan | AEKFA | — | — | Sharjah Emirate, east coast |
| — | Fujairah | AEFUJ | — | — | Fujairah |
| — | Khalifa Port | AEHLF | — | — | Abu Dhabi |
United Arab Emirates Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Dubai and Jebel Ali Cluster
The Dubai cluster is the country’s principal container, distribution and re-export platform, with Jebel Ali supporting deep-sea services and Port Rashid and Dubai serving complementary urban and multipurpose roles.
Ports and terminals in the Dubai cluster
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali | AEJEA | Jebel Ali / — | Deep-sea containers, transshipment and industrial cargo |
| Jebel Ali | AEJAL | Dubai / — | Container and general cargo terminal records |
| Dubai | AEDXB | Dubai / — | Urban, feeder and multipurpose port services |
| Dubai | AEDUB | Dubai / — | Dubai port and logistics operations |
| Port Rashid | AEPRA | Port Rashid / — | Multipurpose, cruise and project-related cargo |
| Fateh Terminal | AEFAT | Dubai / — | Energy-related and offshore support activity |
Abu Dhabi and Western Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi combines container gateways, industrial logistics, bulk commodities and offshore energy facilities. Khalifa Port is the principal modern container and industrial gateway in this cluster.
Ports and terminals in the Abu Dhabi cluster
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khalifa Port | AEHLF | Abu Dhabi / — | Container, vehicle, industrial and general cargo |
| Abu Dhabi | AEABD | Abu Dhabi / — | Multipurpose, project and general cargo |
| Abu Dhabi | AEAUH | Abu Dhabi / — | Port and city logistics gateway |
| Mina Khalifa | AEKHL | Abu Dhabi / — | Industrial and general cargo operations |
| Mina Zayed | AEMZA | Mina Zayed / — | General, breakbulk and project cargo |
| Jebel Dhanna | AEJDA | Jebel Dhanna / — | Energy and western-region logistics |
Northern and Eastern Coastal Gateways
The northern emirates and Gulf of Oman coast provide regional container, feeder, bulk, bunkering, aggregate and multipurpose services. Khor Fakkan and Fujairah are particularly relevant to east–west vessel routing and offshore support.
Ports and terminals in the northern and eastern coastal cluster
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khor Fakkan | AEKFA | Khor Fakkan / — | Container transshipment and feeder services |
| Fujairah | AEFUJ | Fujairah / — | Containers, bunkering, oil and bulk cargo |
| Sharjah | AESJH | Dubai / — | Regional general cargo and container services |
| Sharjah | AESHJ | Sharjah / — | Regional cargo and feeder operations |
| Port Khalid | AEKHA | Sharjah / — | General, breakbulk and regional cargo |
| Hamriya | AEHAM | Sharjah / — | Small-scale, general and industrial cargo |
| Ras Al Khaimah | AERAK | Ras Al Khaimah / — | Bulk, aggregate, industrial and general cargo |
| Umm Al Quwain | AEUAQ | Umm Al Quwain / — | Local and regional multipurpose cargo |
United Arab Emirates Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
United Arab Emirates port identifiers use the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 prefix AE followed by a three-character location code. A code may identify a city, port, terminal or other transport location, so the operational terminal should be confirmed before booking.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Differences
One city or port area can have more than one code record. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah appear in multiple records because city-level, port-level and terminal-level references can serve different operational purposes.
How to Verify a Port Code
Check the bill of lading, carrier booking instructions and the latest UNECE UN-LOCODE resources, then compare the result with the Ecer Freight port directory before quoting or filing shipping documents.
Shipping from United Arab Emirates: Main Trade Lanes
United Arab Emirates is a major transshipment and distribution base. Transit times vary with the carrier service, transshipment routing, season, port congestion, customs processing and final destination.
United Arab Emirates to South Asia
Regular container and feeder services connect the Gulf with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, supporting consumer goods, machinery, chemicals and project cargo.
United Arab Emirates to East and Southeast Asia
Deep-sea services link the Gulf with Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Singaporean production and transshipment hubs.
United Arab Emirates to Europe
Asia–Europe and Gulf–Europe services carry manufactured goods, retail cargo, industrial equipment and re-export shipments through Mediterranean and North European hubs.
United Arab Emirates to East Africa and the Red Sea
Gulf gateways support container, breakbulk, food, construction and project cargo flows to East Africa, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean markets.
Data Methodology and Sources
The page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed port coverage from national, port-authority and operator statistics. Public throughput figures are rounded where necessary and should be confirmed against the latest carrier, terminal or authority release before commercial use.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database coverage of 29 United Arab Emirates ports and terminals in the Nov 2026 snapshot.
- UNECE — UN-LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- AD Ports Group — Abu Dhabi port operations, terminal activity and corporate operating disclosures.
- DP World — Jebel Ali and group container-throughput operating information.
- UAE Government — national transport, trade and logistics context.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — navigational and port reference context.
United Arab Emirates Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does United Arab Emirates have?
United Arab Emirates has 29 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. The figure represents indexed coverage, not necessarily every marine facility in the country.
What is the busiest port in United Arab Emirates?
Jebel Ali, associated with UN-LOCODE AEJEA in the Ecer Freight sample, is generally the busiest container gateway in United Arab Emirates by publicly reported throughput.
What is the UN-LOCODE prefix for United Arab Emirates?
The UN-LOCODE prefix for United Arab Emirates is AE. Examples include AEJEA for Jebel Ali, AEDXB for Dubai and AEKFA for Khor Fakkan.
Which United Arab Emirates regions are important for freight?
The main freight regions are the Dubai–Jebel Ali cluster, Abu Dhabi and Khalifa Port, and the northern and eastern coastal gateways including Sharjah, Khor Fakkan and Fujairah.
How current are the United Arab Emirates port statistics?
The Ecer Freight indexed count is based on the Nov 2026 snapshot. Throughput data is based on the latest complete 2025 operating year where available, with figures subject to later authority or operator revisions.
Are Ecer Freight port codes the same as terminal booking codes?
Not always. A UN-LOCODE may identify a city, port area or terminal record, while a carrier booking may require a more specific terminal, facility or service code. Booking instructions should therefore be checked before shipment confirmation.
How can a shipper request a United Arab Emirates sea-freight quote?
Shippers can compare indicative FCL sea-freight rates or LCL sea-freight rates, then confirm the exact origin, destination, cargo details, equipment and required service with the forwarding provider.
Editorial note: Port coverage is maintained from the Ecer Freight database and reviewed against public port authority, operator, government and international location-code sources. Indexed coverage and operational statistics are updated on separate schedules; throughput, rankings, schedules and transit times should be reconfirmed for time-sensitive quotations.
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