Dubai Logistics City to impact Future Air Cargo Growth

Dubai Logistics City (DLC), one of the world’s first truly integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platforms, will have a major impact on future air cargo growth, according to industry veteran Michael Proffitt, on the eve of the third World Air Cargo conference to be held in Bahrain from 12-14 February.

DLC, a core component of the US$ 33 billion Dubai World Central (DWC) - the urban aviation community being built in Jebel Ali, Dubai, will be presenting its unique multi-modal logistics proposition to major air cargo operators.

“Dubai World Central’s unique approach is targeted specifically at global and regional players, allowing them to set up base in an established and growing market,” said Proffitt, CEO of DLC. “Dubai Logistics City offers unrivalled centralised logistics services for Asian and Western businesses.”

“The Middle East air cargo growth is the highest among all other regions in the world – 9.5% in 2007 – and is expected to go back to its earlier double digit growth in coming years. DLC’s phase one, which will start operations by end of this year, has already been leased out and every major global player has either expressed interest or leased land within DLC – an expression of faith in its unique selling proposition.”

“The adjacent Al Maktoum International Airport – set to be the world’s largest – has already captured global attention and adds to DLC’s value proposition of turn around lead times in sea-air cargo to as less as four hours.”

Proffitt, who will present the DLC case study to an august gathering, will address the future for air cargo in the region, with focus on DLC’s global and regional supply chain management services.

Over 40% of DLC’s 25 square kilometre leasable land has been reserved. The contract logistics and forwarding areas will be completed by 2010 and 2012 respectively.

“DLC’s lease prices are appreciating every year and by 2010 will hit a premium as demand to be in a unique hub that caters to a massive two billion people within three to fours hours flying time in the CIS, Eastern Europe, the Indian Sub-continent and Africa, will peak,” said Proffitt.

With the Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport fully operational by 2015, DLC will become the central hub for global and regional businesses looking for centralised supply chain initiatives.

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