Under the strategic framework agreement, the port of Qingdao in China and Dubai's Jebel Ali and Mina Rashid ports will increase dialogue and study liner services between their terminals.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two terminal operators. The companies intend to establish a new "cohesive and systematic" approach to information sharing on terminal operations, including port planning and development, management, productivity improvement, green port initiatives and staff training.

DP World chairman, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and Qingdao Port Group chairman, Zheng Minghua, signed the agreement during Zheng’s recent visit to Jebel Ali.

“Qingdao is an important and busy part of our network in our Asia Pacific region and we have a strong partnership with Qingdao Port Group which is beneficial to all," commented Sulayem.

"Like DP World, Qingdao Port Group is extremely customer focused and we look forward to working even more closely with them in the future to offer enhanced services. We look forward to working with HE Zheng and Qingdao Port Group to further strengthen the relationship between our two trading nations and our two companies.”