United Arab Emirates: Shipping Market 2025

Shipping Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

The shipping market in the United Arab Emirates rose significantly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Shipping Production in the United Arab Emirates

In value terms, shipping production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 494% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Shipping Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

Shipping exports from the United Arab Emirates skyrocketed to X units in 2021, picking up by 447% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, shipping exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 758% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X units) was the main destination for shipping exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a 32,124% share of total exports. Moreover, shipping exports to Saudi Arabia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (X units), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Saudi Arabia amounted to +50.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (-19.5% per year) and Oman (-40.1% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) remains the key foreign market for ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to India totaled +3.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+57.8% per year) and Oman (-42.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average shipping export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, with a decrease of -58.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 87% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Oman ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+28.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Shipping Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, approx. X units of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons were imported into the United Arab Emirates; growing by 34% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 207% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, shipping imports shrank to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 491% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X units), Greece (X units) and India (X units) were the main suppliers of shipping imports to the United Arab Emirates.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +188.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest shipping suppliers to the United Arab Emirates were India ($X), South Africa ($X) and Greece ($X), together accounting for 61% of total imports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +254.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average shipping import price amounted to $X per unit, shrinking by -26.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 92% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per unit), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+101.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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