DP World has taken a major step in marine habitat restoration with the completion of the first phase of its Living Seawalls project at Jebel Ali Port, installing 1,000 eco-engineered panels designed to boost biodiversity along the waterfront.
The initiative, developed with Living Seawalls from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, converts flat seawall surfaces into textured habitats that mimic natural rock formations. These panels provide space for marine species to settle and grow, supporting healthier ecosystems in areas typically low in habitat value.
The project will expand to 6,000 modular panels by 2028, creating what is expected to become the region’s longest continuous waterfront structure dedicated to ecological enhancement. Biodiversity monitoring at the site is scheduled to begin in 2026 to help strengthen global understanding of how ports can contribute to coastal resilience.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, said the programme demonstrates how critical port infrastructure can balance trade and environmental restoration through science-based design.
The Jebel Ali initiative aligns with DP World’s Ocean Strategy and global biodiversity targets under the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also builds on the company’s earlier pilot at the Port of Callao in Peru, where researchers recorded 66 species across 12 marine groups within a year, including several found only on the Living Seawalls surfaces and none classified as invasive.
DP World is expanding nature-positive projects across its global operations, including support for the Dubai Reef initiative and sustainable port waste models. The Living Seawalls installation at Jebel Ali demonstrates a scalable approach for coastal cities seeking to integrate environmental stewardship with ongoing development.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
