Panalpina expands air and ocean logistics services in Dubai

Panalpina, the global transport and logistics group, will move into a brand new logistics center in Dubai Logistics City, which will be part of Dubai World Central at Jebel Ali. On September 17, Panalpina attended the signing ceremony in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. Construction is expected to commence end of this year.

The new terminal will be located in Dubai Logistics City (DLC) within Dubai World Central. The latter is a huge, multi-phase self-sustained development at Jebel Ali. It will include a cluster of specialized zones as well as Dubai World Central International Airport, which – when completed – will be the world’s largest airport with a capacity equal to that of Chicago O’Hare and London Heathrow. Dubai World Central will be a new city where eventually some 750,000 people will live and work. Dubai Logistics City – where the new Panalpina terminal will be located – represents phase 1 of Dubai World Central and will be a truly integrated multi-modal logistics plattform in a single customs bonded and free zone environment, adjacent to the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Seaport.

In the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman Dubai Aviation Corporation – Dubai World Central, Panalpina Area Managing Director René Wernli has signed a preliminary lease agreement for a surface of 45,000sqm, enabling the Company to erect its own state-of-the-art 10,000 sqm warehouse and 2,600 sqm office building. 30,000sqm will initially be used, leaving space for future expansion. “This is crucial as the facility will function as a transit-warehouse for the area”, explains René Wernli. Dubai serves as one of the world’s major centers of sea-air interchange and is the pivot for cargo movements in the region. All major markets in the Middle East are within 24 hours driving and all major ports in the area are within 48 hours steaming distance.

“The new terminal will – among other features – include air-conditioned temperature-controlled facilities and dedicated space for both ocean and air freight cargo”, adds Wernli. “We will be able to provide the entire range of value added Supply Chain Management services to our customers. Needless to say that the facility will be directly connected to the new airport and the seaport”, he points out. Construction work is scheduled to start end of 2006 and should be completed within a year. In the Middle East, Panalpina operates eight offices in five countries.

“Panalpina has been present in the Middle East for many years, offering air and ocean freight services and tailor-made supply chain management solutions”, explains Regional CEO Robert Timmerman.“ The Middle East region is an important strategic pillar for the Group, and our investment is a direct consequence of Panalpina’s increased focus on the oil and gas business”, he adds.

The Panalpina Group
The Panalpina Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of forwarding and logistics services, specializing in intercontinental air freight and ocean freight shipments and associated supply chain management solutions. Thanks to its in-depth industry know-how and state-of-the-art IT systems, Panalpina provides globally integrated door-to-door forwarding solutions tailored to its customers’ individual needs. The Panalpina Group operates a close-knit network with some 500 branches in more than 80 countries. In a further 60 countries, it cooperates closely with selected partner companies. Panalpina employs some 14,000 people worldwide.

About Dubai Logistics City
Dubai Logistics City (DLC) will be part of the world’s first truly integrated multi-modal logistics platform in a single customs bonded free zone environment made up of DLC, Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), Enterprise Park and Jebel Ali Port. It is designed as the region’s unchallenged logistics hub catering to some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS, all within three-to-four hours flying time from Dubai.