DP World is a global marine terminal operator that owns and manages container terminals; it also provides maritime services including shipping, cargo, port, and charter services. DP World had 49 terminals in 27 countries, as of April 2009.

Dp World ranked amongst the world's four largest container terminal operators by capacity and throughput, in 2008 with 54 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and 46.8 million TEU, respectively. In 2008, the company grew its throughput over the previous year by 8%, handling 46.8 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units); it also increased its gross capacity by 9% to 54 million TEU per year and it integrated four new terminals into its portfolio, adding 4 countries to the network.

DP World is part of Dubai World CentralDubai World Central, through the Port & Free Zone World. The company was formed in September 2005 through the integration of the terminal operations of the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and Dubai Ports International (DPI). DP World absorbed the operations of DPI, which was dissolved, and those of DPA, except for its capacity as an authority for Dubai Ports.

DP World underwent an IPO on DIFX in November 2007, to list 23% of its shares, which raised USD4.96 billion.

The company plans to reduce its fixed costs by approximately 3% and to position its capital expenditures at around USD800 million, in 2009.