Dubai World Central's Second Phase Grading Work Moves Ahead of Schedule

Grading work on the second phase of Dubai World Central (DWC), the massive, multi-phase development centred around the world’s largest international airport in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, has moved ahead of schedule.

Over 40% of Phase 2 grading is complete - in the past four months some 10 million cubic metres of earth has been moved - with October’s total target of 28 million cubic metres well in sight.

“Phase 1 grading, carried out by Dubai-based Trident Transport Company, saw over 43 million cubic metres of earth removed and finished ahead of schedule. We are highly encouraged with the progress regarding the handling of Phase 2 and look forward to finishing significantly earlier than originally planned,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dept of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.

The scope of Phase 1 grading work included Dubai Logistics City (DLC) – parcelled plots which will eventually encompass the construction of common facilities and infrastructure, including shared forwarder warehouses, a dedicated, modern labour village as well as peripheral roads and utilities.

The Phase 2 grading work includes Dubai World Central International Airport and Residential City in addition to DLC.

“On completion of phase 2, tenants who want to build their own facilities in this new area will get access to their sites in the fourth quarter of this year,” added Sheikh Ahmed.

Fencing work will also commence with the first phase of the customs-bonded area, before being expanded to ultimately include JXB, and the connecting bridge to Jebel Ali Free Zone and port.

DLC, together with Dubai World Central International Airport and the Jebel Ali Free Zone and port, provide a single customs-bonded free zone environment and an truly integrated, multi-modal logistics platform. It will be operational by the end of next year.

Spread over 25 square kilometres, DLC will begin operating at the end of 2007. With a manifesto to act as Dubai’s logistics hub for the greater region to 2050 and beyond, DLC, in conjunction with DWC International Airport, is designed to handle a capacity of over 12 million tons of air cargo annually in up to 16 dedicated terminals.

“DLC’s unique business proposition, as part of DWC, is to act as a hub for an increasingly interconnected world marketplace which can be realised through our geographic advantage and our truly integrated, multi-modal platform,” explained Michael Proffitt, CEO, DLC.

See other recent news regarding: Dubai, Dubai World Central