By Faridat Salifu
As global pressure mounts for greater visibility and accountability in international shipping, the United Arab Emirates has taken a major step forward with the rollout of its Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) Program a sweeping new regulation requiring containerized cargo data to be electronically submitted 24 hours before loading at foreign ports.
The program, which officially went live in August 2025, aims to bolster the UAE’s supply chain security and align its practices with a growing number of countries implementing pre-departure cargo controls.
To support implementation, the UAE’s National Advance Information Center (NAIC) has appointed Trade Tech, Inc., a U.S.-based logistics technology firm, as an official service provider.
Trade Tech is a veteran in the cargo security space, with a track record of helping clients comply with similar rules in more than 37 countries from the U.S. Automated Manifest System (AMS) to the European Union’s ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration. Its selection signals the UAE’s intent to enforce MPCI with both technical rigour and international best practices.
For logistics providers, freight forwarders, and carriers operating through UAE ports, the new MPCI rules bring tighter scrutiny and shorter timelines.
Filings must include accurate identification of shippers and consignees, and must be approved by authorities before cargo is loaded at the port of origin. Failure to comply could result in a “Do Not Load” (DNL) status potentially delaying or blocking shipments.
“The UAE is joining a growing club of nations implementing 24-hour cargo rules, and the implications are global,” said Bryn Heimbeck, President and Co-Founder of Trade Tech. “It’s not just about compliance it’s about using these regulations to improve data visibility and supply chain performance.”
Trade Tech has already begun onboarding customers and integrating MPCI filing capabilities into its Syrinx Trade Security platform, which is widely used by global NVOCCs, carriers, and shippers.
The system is designed to automate filings, reduce errors, and merge compliance workflows into everyday operations.
The company is also offering multiple onboarding options, from full EDI integration for high-volume users to managed services for clients looking to outsource the entire filing process.
Technical support, training, and automation tools are being rolled out to help clients adjust quickly to the new regime.
Behind the scenes, Trade Tech is working closely with shipping lines and regulators to ensure smooth implementation.
One of the more nuanced challenges lies in verifying cargo data from origin, an area many logistics professionals still struggle with globally.
“This isn’t just another rule to check a box,” Heimbeck said. “It’s a call to modernize. If data from the origin is still hard to get, it raises the question are we building a supply chain that’s fit for the future?”
The MPCI regulation applies to all containerized cargo destined for or transiting through the UAE, including imports, transshipments, transit shipments, and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB).
The UAE joins a growing list of countries deploying advanced cargo information systems, reinforcing a global shift toward predictive risk analysis, faster customs processing, and real-time trade visibility.
As regulatory frameworks evolve, experts say digital compliance will become a standard feature not an add-on for global trade. For many, the UAE’s adoption of MPCI is not just a national development, but a reflection of the direction global shipping is heading.
