DHL Express, the world’s leading express and logistics provider, has cemented its presence in the UAE with the construction of a standalone logistics hub, at the Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA). 

 

The 15,000-sq-m facility, on a 30,000-sq-m airside/landside plot, located in ADIA’s Future Cargo Area, is being developed in partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone Authority (ADAFZ) - a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports - and Middle East General Enterprises (MGE).

 

DHL’s new airport facility constitutes the company’s latest investment in strengthening the global trade links of the UAE’s capital and acts as a consolidated hub inclusive of an Import & Export Gateway, Service Center, Logistics Center & Road Network, with an initial head count of 210 employees. 

 

DHL Express UAE Country Manager Geoff Walsh said: “By establishing our presence at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, we reiterate our commitment to supporting UAE capital’s growth plans and aligning to its 2050 economic vision, while providing a primary location to facilitate DHL’s Middle East Road Network operations, connecting the UAE seamlessly across the GCC & Levant countries.”

 

The new facility features a 10,800-sq-m built-up area, with future expansion potential to increase capacity by an additional 50%. The facility will be equipped to handle up to 3,600 inbound and outbound/ transit shipments per hour, amounting to 86,400 shipments a day, with the ability to service customers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, as well as supporting other countries of DHL network, a statement from the company said.

 

Abu Dhabi Airports CEO Shareef Al Hashmi said: “DHL Express’ new logistics hub is a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Future Cargo offering which strengthens our presence as a facilitator of global trade and bolsters Abu Dhabi’s position as an important regional and international hub for air freight.

 

“As a leading logistics provider and one of our valued strategic partners, DHL Express’ new hub is sure to further augment value-added logistics and supply chain services in the emirate and accelerate trade flows moving in and out of the UAE.”

 

MGE Vice Chairman Saeed Abdulrahman Ghanim said: “As the world relies more heavily on e-commerce and smarter supply chains, Abu Dhabi is becoming a key destination and redistribution hub in the region. DHL’s new facility has been established to cater to this growing trend, helping the UAE to become a connecting point to the entire region and the world.”-TradeArabia News Service