Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation

Abdulla Bin Damithan serves as Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, where he oversees the strategic direction and performance of Dubai’s integrated trade, ports and free zone ecosystem. In this capacity, he guides policy, governance and long-term growth initiatives that strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global trade and logistics hub.

Appointed in February 2026, Abdulla assumed the role of Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, marking the start of his tenure in this position.

Before his appointment, Abdulla was managing DP World’s portfolio across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), spanning ports and terminals, economic zones, marine services, logistics and trade solutions. He served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of DP World UAE from to 2021 until 2026.

He leads business strategy across key regional markets including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Oman, with a focus on delivering integrated end-to-end supply chain solutions, building world-class trade infrastructure and enhancing efficiency, transparency, resilience and sustainability across the logistics value chain.

Abdulla joined DP World in 2001 and concluded his executive tenure in February 2026, playing a pivotal role in the company’s transformation from a regional port operator into a global smart trade enabler. Over more than two decades, he held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Commercial Officer of DP World UAE, where he led revenue generation and service delivery across ports, terminals and trade enablement services.

A respected leader in the maritime and logistics sector in the Middle East, Abdulla serves on the boards of multiple DP World ports and terminals.