Dubai World Central Phase 1 construction moves into top gear

The turnkey construction of its Dhs 1.5 billion Dubai Logistics City (DLC) headquarters and office park has gone to Kuwait-based M.A. Kharafi & Sons - a US$ 3.3 billion privately-owned group with interests across 33 countries. Completion is scheduled for March 2009.

In a second award, the contract for the construction of two Central Utility Complexes (CUC) to meet the district cooling requirements for DWC's phase 1 facilities has gone to The National Company, part of the Kharafi Group. The first CUC will serve the airport area while the second will cater to DLC's HQ and Office Park.

"This huge aviation city centred around Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB) will place Dubai in pole position for regional logistics, tourism and commerce," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai World Central - Dubai Aviation Corporation, Government of Dubai.

DLC, which is the world's first truly integrated multi-modal logistics platform, is central to Dubai's business proposition as a global and regional hub for integrated supply chain management and multi-modal transport. The project encompasses all transportation modes, logistics and value added services, such as kitting and assembly, in a single bonded and free zone environment.

DLC comprises a headquarters and Office Park, Forwarders Area, Light Industrial Area, Warehousing Area and the Staff Village. Spanning 25 square kilometres, DLC is designed to ultimately handle 12 million tonnes of air cargo annually in up to 16 air cargo terminals.

Michael Proffitt, CEO, DLC said: "The Office Park will respond to administrative space needs for companies wanting to establish a business within the DLC Free Zone but without the requirement of warehouses or similar facilities.

"Transport agents, transport brokers, insurance companies or other service providers, especially those related to the logistics industry, can operate from the state-of-the-art facilities."

Part of the free zone, but situated outside the customs bonded area, the Office Park combines free zone operational advantages with easy and unrestricted public access. The Park will provide leased office buildings and also host two business hotels, serviced apartments, banks, business centres, coffee shops, restaurants, snacks, prayer rooms, shops and a multi-use convention centre.

Covered parking spaces will be provided for tenants at underground level with easy access to all office blocks. Dedicated visitor parking spaces will be provided within a separate parking structure.

Phase 1 of the Office Park will include 10 six-storey office buildings each with a total built up area of approximately 255,000m2, in addition to 110,000m2 of underground parking and 60,000m2 of an independent parking structure. This will provide a net office space of around 198,000m2.

Eventually, a total of 18 office buildings will be included in Office Park which will be linked to the Emirates Road via a dedicated road network.

"For those who need modular office space, sections of 100 square metres can be combined to create larger integrated offices or merged into entire floors. This allows companies to set up their local operations, administrative offices, showrooms, customer front ends or even entire regional or head offices," continued Proffitt.

Meanwhile, work is moving forward on the first 4.5 kilometre A-380 enabled CAT-III runway that is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. "First flights at JXB are expected mid-2008, when the first passenger and cargo terminals will be ready," stated Abdulla Alfalasi, DWC's Marketing and Communications Director.