DUBAI: DP World has issued a groundbreaking $100 million Blue Bond to support sustainable projects aimed at protecting oceans, marine life, and water resources. This marks the first corporate Blue Bond from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, reinforcing DP World’s role as a leader in sustainable logistics and environmental stewardship.

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The Blue Bond aligns with DP World’s Ocean Strategy, Decarbonisation, and Water Strategies, all aimed at advancing the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Goals. It also supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 and 6, which focus on life below water and clean water, respectively.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO, called the Blue Bond a crucial step toward creating a sustainable blue economy, ensuring oceans remain a resource for future generations.

The Blue Bond will fund key projects in four areas:

• Sustainable Marine Transportation: Backing clean fuels and reducing marine pollution.

• Sustainable Port Development: Eco-friendly port infrastructure to reduce noise, air, and environmental pollution.

• Marine Ecosystem Conservation: Nature-based solutions to restore marine biodiversity.

• Marine Pollution Control: Cleaning coastal waters and ensuring equitable access to clean water.

Rob Sharps, CEO of T. Rowe Price Group, called the issuance a model for other companies, while Citigroup’s Philip Brown hailed it as a landmark transaction under DP World’s enhanced Sustainable Finance Framework.

The bond’s spread of 99.6 bps above US treasuries represents DP World’s most competitive rate, reflecting investor confidence in sustainable financing.

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This Blue Bond follows DP World’s Green Sukuk in 2023, which raised $1.5 billion for green projects, cutting over 177 million kg of CO2 emissions.