To set up its first Warehousing & Distribution (W&D) facility in the UAE, Maersk Kanoo UAE, an integrator of container logistics, on Wednesday signed an agreement with DP World’s leading trade and logistics hub Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). According to the company, the 10,000 sq. mt. facility will be located within Jafza in Dubai. Ocean shipping and inbound logistics & distribution have traditionally been shared amongst multiple stakeholders in the region, resulting in complex logistical requirements. With its new W&D facility, Maersk is taking an essential step towards building a truly integrated solution for its customers wherein the customers will get single window access to multiple logistics requirements, not only for the goods flowing in and out of UAE, but also to other Middle Eastern countries who use Dubai as a gateway to global trade. Maersk’s new W&D facility in Dubai will add to the existing global footprint of over 250 warehouses that cover 1.5 million sq. mt. across 50 countries. The facility will offer a total storage capacity of 80,000 cubic meters and cater to various types of goods across sectors such as petrochemical, retail & lifestyle, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), technology, and automotive. In addition, the facility is strategically located with a close link to seaport operations and the Al Maktoum Airport. This will allow the facility to serve consumers requiring air cross-docking and those moving less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo. The Maersk W&D facility will be powered by a state-of-the-art warehouse management system that implements modern technologies and digital solutions for efficient inventory management, track & trace at unit-level and offers rich dashboards for higher visibility and deeper insights. For example, with advanced solutions for expiry date management, wastages in FMCG can be brought down to zero, thus building a cost competitive edge for Maersk’s customers. Christopher Cook, Managing Director, Maersk UAE, said, “At Maersk, we are committed to connect and simplify our customers’ supply chains. And in today’s times, adding flexibility to their supply chains has become more crucial than ever. I am excited that we are taking a solid step in this direction with the announcement of our first W&D facility in the UAE.” Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World – UAE Region & Jafza, said, “Our incredible infrastructure combined with proximity to different operations and businesses lays the right foundation for a setup that Maersk has envisaged for its growth ambitions in UAE. Combined with the strength of Jebel Ali Port, Jafza creates the ideal multimodal trade and logistics hub in the region, connecting businesses to more than 3.5 billion consumers. This move is building on the legacy of DP World and Maersk, and we look forward to extending our support through their journey with us.” |