UNECE has announced the issuance of three new UN/LOCODE entries and updates to ten existing entries across the United Arab Emirates, strengthening supply chain resilience in the Gulf region. UN/LOCODE, a cornerstone of global trade infrastructure, provides unique geographic codes for over 114,000 locations worldwide, facilitating the movement of consumer goods, industrial materials, and critical commodities such as grain and fertilizers.
UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean highlighted that the accelerated issuance of codes for UAE logistics hubs demonstrates how global standards like UN/LOCODE and the TIR Convention contribute to crisis-response efforts under the UN Strait of Hormuz Task Force. These tools are described as global public goods that help stabilize commerce and ensure continuity of logistics operations despite geopolitical tensions.
The new and updated entries include inland logistics hubs such as Al Fayah, Al Sajaa, and Al Ain, along with strategic Abu Dhabi corridors linked to rail terminals, dry ports, and industrial storage facilities. These updates will support multimodal transport corridors connecting Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai to export gateways like Fujairah and Djeddah, offering vital alternatives to traditional maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
UN/LOCODE has been a key part of trade facilitation since 1981, growing from 8,000 entries to more than 114,000 today. It is widely used by shipping companies, freight forwarders, IATA, and manufacturing industries, as well as by national authorities for customs, transport, and statistical purposes. The system also underpins derivative coding schemes for ports and logistics operators, and supports maritime safety and data exchange through organizations like the IMO.
The release of these 13 entries reflects UNECE’s new open-source digital interface, which allows codes to be issued on a demand-driven basis, responding in real time to requests from Member States and stakeholders. This ensures improved geospatial accuracy, operational alignment, and resilience in global trade systems.
