DHL UAE's new express logistics centre at the Dubai Airport Free Zone Area (Dafza) is now providing third-party storage, break-bulk, pick-and-pack, warehousing, stock control and distribution services to DHL's customers in the UAE and overseas.
"With an average monthly uplift of around a million kilos out of Dubai International Airport, DHL is currently the second largest air cargo shipper out of Dubai after Emirates airline," said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai, who inaugurated the new Dh500,000 centre which encompasses an area of 10,0000 sq ft.
"This impressive shipment level and recent expansion are evidence of the vital role the air express industry plays in Dubai's civil aviation sector," added Shaikh Ahmed.
DHL's new Dafza Express Logistics Centre (ELC), which is equipped with the latest Chameleon 2000 DHL proprietary inventory management system, is part of a major UAE investment programme which this year will see the company investing almost $2 million in new Emirates-wide facilities.
"This most recent development is an enormous boost for UAE companies which redistribute throughout the Gulf but don't want to have to set up their own logistics infrastructure," said David Wild, general manager, DHL UAE.
DHL said the new ELC freed up 7,000 sq ft of airside space at the company's $4 million Air Express Centre on the outskirts of Dafza. The airside space now reverts to DHL Aviation, which needed additional space for airfreight handling.
The ELC comes as DHL UAE revealed details of its performance in 2000, which saw double-digit growth in revenue shipment volume and kilos uplifted.
Revenue grew 16.6 per cent over 1999, the number of shipments handled rose 14.9 per cent while the level of kilos uplifted increased by 37 per cent.
"Growth was particularly strong in the package segment where the number of shipments rose 25.4 per cent on the year and the number of kilos uplifted increased 25.6 per cent," explained Wild. "DHL's dedicated Import Express service underwent dramatic development with shipment volumes rising 117 per cent and kilos uplifted soaring 105.1 per cent.
"These results indicate a move towards the air express of heavier consignments and increasing demand for a convenient, door-to-door import product."
DHL UAE is forecasting further growth for 2001. "This year we are once again looking for double-digit-growth performance in both revenue and the number of kilos uplifted but anticipate single figure growth in shipment levels," said Wild.
"This will be achieved through renewed investment in facilities which will cater to the emerging trend of heavier air express shipments and heightened demand for supply chain management and logistics solutions."
DHL UAE recently invested in a $1.5 million express handling centre in Umm Al Nar, Abu Dhabi, and is planning a new $200,000 flagship service, logistics and sales operation in Karama, Dubai.
"Plans on how to better serve the east coast are currently being reviewed and details on upgrading facilities in other emirates will be announced shortly," added Wild.
