Dubai launches world's first integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platform

"This is a quantum leap for the logistics business in the Gulf and the greater Middle East and will cater to the region's requirements up to 2050," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai, which is currently operating DLC on behalf of the Dubai Government.

"Dubai Logistics City and JXB will be the first phase of the new Jebel Ali Airport City, which eventually will span almost 140 square kilometres, featuring logistics, aviation, commercial, residential, educational, recreational, technology and entertainment facilities. The Airport City Master Plan was developed by a Dar Al-Handasah / Aeroports de Paris joint venture".

"DLC will be a free zone and the preferred location for businesses which require, or offer, logistics and multi-modal transport services to the GCC, wider Middle East, India, Africa and the CIS - a market of more than 2 billion consumers.

"This is the world's first truly multi-modal facility for air, sea and road services combined into an integrated common logistics platform. All transport modes, logistics and value-added services, including assembly and value-added manufacturing will be located in a single customs bonded and free zone environment.

"Dubai Logistics City will allow companies to integrate their regional manufacturing, sales and support infrastructure and organisation into their global networks," said HH Sheikh Ahmed.

Spread over 25 square kilometres, DLC will begin operating in 2007. It has been launched following an 18-month feasibility and business realisation study by ADI Services FZE, a division of global logistics consultants ADI Consulting GmbH of Switzerland.

Dubai Logistics City will be adjacent to JXB, which will start operations also in 2007 and which is designed to eventually handle more than 12 million tons of air cargo annually in up to 16 air cargo terminals all designed to handle the new generation Airbus A380-800F freighter version of the giant airliner. DLC and JXB are being built next to the Jebel Ali Free Zone and port, which is being further extended to handle 15 million TEU (container units) per annum within more than 100 square kilometres.

"This major initiative will allow Dubai International Airport to focus on the development of passenger traffic without suffering from congestion or bottlenecks caused by freight and logistics operations," explained HH Sheikh Ahmed.

DLC will provide: land plots for dedicated industrial businesses, trading companies, distributors and logistics service providers; shared facilities, such as warehouses and offices as well as modern air-side cargo handling facilities.

"DLC's wide and competitive offering will focus on delivering speed, efficiency and economy so our customers, in turn, can pass these values on to their own clientele," said Khalifa Al Zaffin, Director of Engineering and Projects, DCA. "We will provide a full spectrum of services developed from industry input and the in-depth logistics experience of the DLC team.

"This unique platform will be another of Dubai's outstanding business landmarks and will strengthen the emirate's position as a regional logistics hub."

DLC is aimed at boosting business opportunities and developing services and facilities for its customer base that address the needs of leading global, regional and local industrial businesses, trading companies and logistics service providers who need multi-modal transportation. These will include airlines, integrators, multi-national, regional and local forwarders, as well as third party logistics service providers. It will also target key high-end logistics users including multi-national companies within the automotive, I.T., pharmaceutical, electronics and communication industries as well as relief and aid NGOs and service companies.

"DLC will have its own unique, dedicated, modern road system which will separate professional logistics from public traffic to ensure clients can provide a quality and speedy service to their customers," explained Dr. Roland Zibell - DLC Project Director. "It will offer the full scope of professional logistics services and access to speedy airfreight services.

"All DLC customers will have direct access to Jebel Ali Port and JXB airport without having to leave the free zone. An ocean container can be transferred from the port's container terminal to the airport's cargo terminal without customs clearance and without any delay. This will maximise the freedom to do business."
Trade and industry customers can opt to build their own facilities, including distribution centres and regional headquarters, on serviced sites with long-term leases or lease space in advanced business units with offices and warehouses provided by DLC.

"Alternatively, companies can outsource operations to contract logistics service providers that provide both services and facilities," explained Zibell. "Hundreds of local and global service providers already operate in Dubai with track records of professional services that are unsurpassed in the region."

DLC logistics service providers, who will have exclusive access to air cargo terminal facilities, will also be able to handle the air cargo of Dubai International Airport (DXB) under bond.

"DXB will be linked to Dubai Logistics City by a bonded and professionally-operated scheduled shuttle service," explained Al Zaffin. "This will operate several times an hour to connect belly air cargo directly with freighter services or to deliver, round-the-clock, into the heart of the DLC business community."

DLC integrators are expected to increase business volumes by merging their air operations with the growing network of land-based express services throughout the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

"Depending upon their market position, integrators may either want to be clients of DLC terminal facilities, erect their own sorting and handling facilities on special airside leased plots or even choose DLC as a key regional hub for global operations adding multi-modal, logistics and supply chain services," added Zibell.