DHL Express, the world’s leading express and logistics provider, has begun 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).
Completion of the proect is expected in late 2022.
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.”
DHL’s Abu Dhabi operations have grown significantly over the years; from a facility at AUH Cargo Village, before moving to a bespoke integrator operation of more than 4,300m² in the Airport Logistics Park.
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.”