April 26, 2018: DB Schenker will build its second logistics hub in Dubai, located next to world's largest airport. The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of this new state-of-the-art logistics center took place under the patronage of Khalifa Al Zaffin (Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation). A large high-level delegation from Dubai South was in attendance, as were Tom Schmitt (CCO & Member of the DB Schenker Board for Contract Logistics), Karl-Heinz Emberger (CEO of DB Schenker MEA), Ako Djaf (Head of Contract Logistics / SCM for Middle East and Africa) and numerous other guests.

The 35,000 square-meters temperature-controlled warehouse, with a 3,500 square-meters mezzanine area for value-added services, is the largest investment in the history of DB Schenker Middle East & Africa. The facility will also be the first mega site of DB Schenker globally to be supplied with 100 percent solar power. The project is the second of three phases in contract logistics development in Dubai, with the ultimate goal of building 80,000 square meters of logistics space for DB Schenker by 2021. The facility is planned to open in the first quarter of 2019.

“Dubai is our regional hub for the Middle East and Africa and investing in Dubai South was a strategic step to strengthen our network and to complete DB Schenker‘s service coverage in UAE,“ says Ako Djaf, DB Schenker, Head of Contract Logistics / SCM for Middle East and Africa.

“Neighbouring the world’s largest Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, and adjacent to one of the world’s largest container ports, Jebel Ali Port, this investment clearly cements DB Schenker’s commitment for hyper growth in the region and demonstrates our commitment to offer our customers not only best in class logistics solutions but also the best connectivity, speed to market as well as excellent logistics infrastructure,” he added.

The logistics district is an 18 square kilometers free zone that serves every transport mode, logistics need and value-adding operation in the supply chain. DB Schenker says it has facilitated the market entry of many international companies and grows together with them in this complex but also high potential region.

This has made DB Schenker one of the fastest growing logistics service providers in the Middle East and Africa region, expanding its contract logistics footprint across the region to reach 200,000 square meters in the last five years.