Dubai Future Foundation and DP World Chart New Course in Autonomous Logistics

A transformative partnership between Dubai Future Foundation and DP World signals the arrival of self-driving technology at the heart of global supply chains, beginning at Jebel Ali Port.

The movement of cargo across the world’s ports depends on intricate choreography: hundreds of vehicles shuttling containers between quay cranes, yard stacks and terminal gates in a carefully orchestrated dance. Now, that dance is being reimagined. Dubai Future Foundation and DP World have formed a partnership through SHIFFT, a joint venture established in collaboration with Oxa, a global autonomous vehicle technology company, to bring autonomous logistics solutions to ports, terminals and industrial zones across the globe.

SHIFFT emerges as part of the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation Programme, positioning Dubai as a global hub for developing and deploying intelligent autonomous logistics services. The venture will focus initially on Jebel Ali Port, where DP World operates more than 900 vehicles for inter-terminal container movement and cargo shuttling. The ambition extends far beyond the Dubai coastline: DP World’s network spans more than 60 ports and terminals worldwide, offering SHIFFT a canvas to develop, test and scale solutions globally.

The collaboration brings together practical operational expertise and cutting-edge technological capability. SHIFFT will develop integrated solutions encompassing vehicle integration, autonomous driving capabilities, safety and assurance frameworks, fleet management and orchestration, traffic management and routing, and operations in complex mixed-use environments. Digital twin capabilities, situational intelligence systems and operational performance optimisation form part of this comprehensive approach.

Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at Dubai Future Foundation, described the partnership as marking an important step in developing and implementing autonomous logistics solutions from Dubai. “This collaboration brings together world-leading operational expertise and advanced technologies to develop practical solutions that can be deployed and scaled globally,” he noted. The initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to advancing innovation, much as the Dubai Future Foundation’s AI Sandbox creates pathways for innovators and regulators to work together on testing artificial intelligence solutions in real-world environments.

For DP World, the transition to autonomous operations represents a key component of its long-term strategy. Ibrahim Al Najjar, Senior Vice President for Information Technology at DP World GCC, emphasised that autonomous technology translates into more predictable and resilient supply chains while creating opportunities for people to build future-ready skills. “By co-developing these technologies here, around real operational needs, we are setting new benchmarks that will benefit the wider industry,” he explained.

Paul Newman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxa, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration. “This collaboration aims to transform industrial vehicles into an intelligent, autonomous digital workforce capable of operating efficiently in complex, mixed-use environments,” he said. SHIFFT approaches its mission through knowledge, experimentation and testing, creating solutions for the most important emerging opportunities while increasing the productivity of existing sectors by providing new pathways that enhance their economic value.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership strengthens the UAE’s position as a leader in advanced technology and innovation. By anchoring SHIFFT at Jebel Ali Port and developing solutions that can be deployed globally, the venture demonstrates how regional expertise and technological advancement can drive international competitiveness. The focus on practical, real-world solutions reflects Dubai’s commitment to translating innovation into tangible benefits for the logistics and supply chain sectors.

The initiative also creates opportunities for talent development across the emirate. As autonomous technologies reshape port and logistics operations, they require skilled professionals who can design, implement and manage these systems. This partnership signals investment in future-ready skills and positions the UAE as a destination where cutting-edge technology and operational excellence converge to solve genuine industry challenges.

Source: UAE News Agency