DP World and SailGP announce new global smart logistics partnership

DP World and SailGP have announced a new global logistics partnership that will see the company oversee the transport and delivery of the global racing championship’s annual calendar of events. 

 Powered by its global network of 115,000 employees in 78 different countries, DP World will provide comprehensive end-to-end logistics for SailGP across five continents, managing all sea freight, courier services and route optimisation solutions. Its network of storage handling, trucking, rail, and barge transport capabilities will also be on hand to support the delivery of the racing schedule.

DP World’s regional operations will provide on-the-ground support for each race weekend, while a Control Tower Team stationed in the UAE will offer 24/7 global oversight and support. The logistics giant will also be helping Sail GP to deliver on its sustainability ambitions by prioritising carbon-neutral logistics and emphasising low-carbon transport. It will also provide the league with race-by-race carbon tracking.

In addition to the demands of a global calendar of races, DP World will also be providing bespoke logistics solutions to transport the teams’ F50 catamarans across multiple continents from race to race. The F50s must be disassembled into carefully designed components that fit into custom containers for sea freight before being reconstructed at race locations on temporary pit lanes. Essential supplies, including team boats, broadcast equipment and racecourse infrastructure, will also require transportation across the season.

Sail GP is the latest high-profile and logistically demanding sports competition to be supported by DP World’s operations. In 2023, DP World transported over 20 containers with more than 10,000 essential items to Rome to help deliver the Ryder Cup, and this summer played a pivotal logistics role in the delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States.

DP World Chief Communications Officer Daniel van Otterdijk said: …It’s another great opportunity to bring our global network and world-class logistics capabilities to the sporting arena, and we’re excited to get started at the race this weekend.”

 SailGP Managing Director Andrew Thompson added, “..Transporting thousands of pieces of race equipment around the world means we need to work with industry-leading forward-thinking partners such as DP World. Together, we’re finding new and innovative ways to bring our global calendar and the most exciting racing on water to more fans than ever before – shaping a truly unique and authentic global partnership.”    

The three-season partnership begins ahead of the 2025 season opening event, the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix. A record 11 national teams take to the waters of Mina Rashid this weekend (November 23-24, 2024) – with the nearby port owned by DP World’s subsidiary P&O Marinas, as presenting partner of the event.