United Arab Emirates

Jebel Ali Port

Jebel Ali is a port town, located 35 kilometres southwest of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The port's construction began in the late 1970s along with Jebel Ali Village (built around 1977) which was used, initially, for the construction workers of the port. The village has a thriving expatriate community with over 300 residents. With 67 berths and a size of 134.68 square kilometer (52 square miles), Jebel Ali is the world's largest man-made harbour and the biggest port in the Middle East. The area is also home to "5,500 companies from 120 countries".

In 1985 the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) was established. JAFZ, an industrial area surrounding the port, allows the international companies who relocate there to enjoy the special privileges of the free zone. These include exemption from corporate tax for fifteen years, no personal income tax, no import or export duties, no restriction on currency, and easy labor recruitment. Al Maktoum International Airport (formerly Dubai World Central International Airport) is being constructed in the area.

The port of Jebel Ali has become the port most frequently visited by ships of the United States Navy outside the United States. Virtually all sailors who have completed shipboard tours have visited the port at least once. Due to the depth of the harbor and size of the port facilities, a Nimitz Class aircraft carrier and several ships of the accompanying battle group can be accommodated pierside. Due to the frequency of these port visits, semi-permanent liberty facilities (referred to by service personnel as "The Sandbox") have been erected adjacent to the carrier berth.