Five Things To Look Forward To In 2023

As I discussed in my look back on 2022 , we used the challenges faced by our industry last year to evolve our resiliency and to grow stronger together. This year, I believe that through our consistent efforts to innovate we can rise to new heights and overcome any challenges to global trade – continuing to evolve to enable us to create a world that is not just rebuilt but built better.

Here are five things I am looking forward to in 2023:

1.??????Further Digitalisation

We can no longer go back to the old way of doing business – supply chains must diversify and upgrade their technology to become more flexible and resilient. Upgrading supply chain visibility technologies will cease to be a luxury in 2023 if we want to avoid the disruptions of the previous years. Full visibility will enable the best and most efficient choices possible, especially in a world where suppliers are much more diversely located.

DP World will continue to make strides in supply chain visibility with our own platforms by developing our logistics technology. This year we will also see the benefits of our new technology centres in India – allowing us to generate new digital solutions to strengthen the future of trade.

2.?????Growing Diversity In The Logistics Workforce

This year will see our industry further recognise the importance of women playing an equal part. Businesses that incorporate women at every level – especially in leadership – will grow more than those that don’t. Women already represent nearly 17% of DP World’s people, but we can do so much better – opening the talent pool to create new ideas that can take us much further.

Women’s equality is not simply important for business success. It is a fundamental human right. Last year, I was honoured to become the first person from the Middle East and North Africa to become a HeForShe Champion for UN Women . This year we will build on that work – further empowering women within our industry and improving societies all over the world.

3.?????Expansion To New Markets

Supply chains need to become more diverse and interconnected, as each time they are disrupted millions of dollars is prevented from flowing into the pockets of people who need it most. This is especially disruptive for developing economies, where economic shocks can be devastating. Global trade has lifted large parts of the world out of poverty and given hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people access to jobs, better education and healthcare. That is why we will be further investing in developing economies in 2023.

4.?????Investment In Humanitarian Logistics

Last year I was humbled by my visit to Pakistan following devastating flooding caused by global climate change. We need to be prepared for future disasters, and I have great faith in humanity’s capability to come together to respond to such threats.

Humanitarian logistics will forge further in 2023. As part of a collaboration with other major logistics providers, we have helped to form the Logistics Emergency Team in support of the UN World Food Programme’s Logistics Cluster. Taskforces like this will lessen the blow of disasters, ensuring that aid and support are provided to affected people – using the power of logistics as a force to improve lives around the world.

5.?????Electrification And Alternative Fuels

We know that investment in the green energy transition is not only important for the future of the sector, but to society. Next year’s COP28 represents a milestone as we welcome the world to the UAE to tackle the planet’s toughest challenge head-on.

Globally, DP World is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040, net zero by 2050 and a 28% reduction by 2030. Key weapons in our armoury will be to replace our global fleet of assets from diesel to electric, invest in renewable power and explore alternative fuels.

Unifeeder will continue to make enormous strides by assisting in the world’s first marine trial of synthetic liquefied natural gas. The electrification of DP World's ports and terminals equipment is already happening, as evidenced at London Gateway . DP World Southampton was the first to implement hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel. Rotterdam World Gateway will become the first carbon-neutral terminal in the world without offsets and our multimodal terminal in Antwerp already runs on 100% green energy.

Our UAE business is also taking the lead by reducing its yearly energy consumption by 32% - saving 17,000 tonnes in annual CO2 emissions. That's the same as removing 3,600 cars from the roads each year.

2023’s New Dawn

2023 is set to be a pivotal year for the global logistics industry. To achieve our aims, we need a connected ecosystem of partners to share knowledge, resources and to pioneer new solutions. 2022 leaves us well-placed to focus on our 2023 targets. So, by working together, we will forge a path to a sustainable future.