ARAMEX moves regional courier hub to Dubai Cargo

ARAMEX International is the first transportation and logistics service provider to move its regional courier-handling hub to the new facility and occupies the largest area in the site.

"We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Ahmed for joining us in celebrating this important event in the courier services industry in the UAE," said George Harfouche, Vice President for ARAMEX International.

"We also thank the Dubai government for supporting UAE courier service providers and facilitating our operations by establishing a facility which enables us to benefit from its convenient location, on-site amenities and systems," he added.

The EMC's total built-up area of 4,000 square meters constitutes DNATA's screening and customs offices including X-ray and security, a conveyor belt for the transfer of packages throughout the facility and a fully equipped warehouse.

ARAMEX's courier hub facility will serve as the company's one-stop site for handling inbound and outbound courier packages and complete on-the-spot customs clearance of consignments. ARAMEX Hub facility will handle the entire process of receiving and dispatching courier packages to over 250 origins and destinations. The service provider manages a transshipment volume of approximately 300,000 kilos per month.

The transfer of ARAMEX's regional hub strengthens its long-standing relationship with the Dubai Cargo Village - the region's largest cargo centre with a handling capacity of 350,000 tonnes per annum. This also serves as the location for the transportation and logistics provider's regional freight-forwarding operations. ARAMEX's logistics operations are carried out from its Jebel Ali Free Zone facility, bringing the number of UAE-based ARAMEX service centres to three. In addition, ARAMEX operates 12 offices in the UAE and over 100 throughout the Middle East alone.

Furthermore, Aramex is increasing its presence in the UAE by investing $3million to expand its facilities in Jebel Ali, benefiting from Dubai's position as the Middle East hub, and thereby strengthening ARAMEX's position as the region's leading logistics service provider.

"We are consolidating our worldwide presence by expanding operations at the regional and international levels. In order to support our expansion plans and continue to build on the brand's strength, it is vital that we include strategically located centres such as the new EMC facility to carry out our services cost-effectively and efficiently," added Harfouche.

In 2003, Dubai Cargo Village handled nearly 12,800 tonnes of courier consignments. It is ideally located at the Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest and fastest growing airports in the world.