Nawaf Abdulla: Cruise tourism poised to make strong comeback in 2023

Nawaf Abdulla, CEO of DP World Limassol, says the outlook for Cyprus looks quite positive, with the company expecting over 200 cruise ships during 2023. He also explains why his company would definitely recommend Cyprus to foreign investors.

Can you tell us more about your company, when you were established in Cyprus and how many offices/ members of staff you currently have?

DP World Limassol was established in April 2016, after our DP World Group was awarded a 25-year concession to operate the multi-purpose and cruise terminal at Limassol port, comprising of three multi-purpose quays/berths. Our terminal is the island’s main cruise and trading hub, while Limassol port is the largest commercial port in Cyprus.

Among other things, the terminal's activities, include handling of Dry-Bulk, Break-bulk, General cargo, Roll on Roll Off trailer / units, Oil and Gas services, the cruise passenger terminal, along with container handling and storage. Currently, our company currently employs more than 80 people, with over 90% being Cypriot.

What do you believe sets your company apart from its competition?

We are a leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services touches every aspect of life.

We're a global network of 300 business units in 75 countries across six continents; from marine services, port and inland terminals to industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

At the same time, at DP World Limassol, we attach great importance to the modernisation and digital transformation of the Terminal’s operations. We have invested heavily in both equipment and technology, and we provide valuable training opportunities to our employees, while providing for Green Port Operations throughout our future decarbonisation plans and strategies.

How has your experience of doing business in Cyprus been and would you recommend it to other foreign interest companies looking to relocate?

From the outset, our collaboration with the Cyprus government – which has entrusted us with the operation of key sections of the country’s biggest port – has been excellent. As a multinational company with presence in 84 countries, we have experience in taking our business abroad and working with state officials. As such, we had already been aware that these projects come with both challenges and opportunities. In Limassol, we had access to both highly skilled personnel and state-of-the-art infrastructure, which paved the way for our company’s success and brought the port closer to becoming a major cruise and trading hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. We would definitely recommend Cyprus to foreign investors as there are many opportunities and areas where further growth is possible.

What is your view of your sector (locally and on a global level) both as it is today and its potential for growth?

In terms of the cruise sector, although it was severely affected by the pandemic over the past couple of years, it is poised to make a strong comeback in 2023, according to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). The outlook for Cyprus looks quite positive, with our company expecting over 200 cruise ships during 2023. In general, we believe that the energy and maritime industries will continue to grow within the next few years, mainly in Europe and the Mediterranean, and we plan to be major contributors – together with the relevant stakeholders, such as the Government and local and international traders – to advance future opportunities.

Where do you see your company in five years? Are there any immediate plans for your company you can reveal to us today, for example new products, services, plans for expansion?

DP World Limassol’s philosophy is to constantly improve, and to that end we plan to develop a platform that allows traders to follow and check the status of their cargo through a mobile application, from the time it arrives at the port to the time it leaves. Within the next 12 months, DP World Limassol will announce one of its major Sustainability project investments, applying European Union guidelines and Cyprus’ vision to transition to renewable energy production and reduce our carbon footprint within the Terminal.

How much focus do you put on CSR and being part of the local community?

As a global logistics leader, our aim is to minimise the environmental impact of our global operations – our goal is zero harm to the environment.

We have a number of ongoing initiatives across our global businesses to manage and reduce our environmental impact while delivering responsible operations. Our priorities in this space focus on reducing carbon emissions and energy use, water conservation and waste management, and restoring our oceans. We will achieve this by better understanding our environmental impact and making continuous improvements and enhancements across our business processes.