Maersk calls Jafza home with its first facility in the UAE

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DUBAI: Maersk Kanoo UAE, an integrator of container logistics, today signed an agreement with DP World’s leading trade and logistics hub, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) to set up its first Warehousing & Distribution (W&D) facility in the UAE.

Christopher Cook, Managing Director, Maersk UAE, and Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World – UAE Region and Jafza, signed the agreement today at Maersk West and Central Asia regional headquarters in Dubai. The 10,000-square metre (sq. mt) facility will be in Jafza.

With its new W&D facility, Maersk is taking an important step towards building a truly integrated solution for its customers. The customers will have single window access to multiple logistics requirements, not only for the goods flowing in and out of UAE, but also other Middle Eastern countries that use Dubai as a gateway to global trade.

"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," Cook said.

"We are proud to welcome Maersk, DP World’s longstanding partner in trade, to set up their first Warehousing and Distribution facility of the UAE in Jafza. 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," said Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World – UAE Region and Jafza.

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 metres and cater to various types of goods across sectors such as petrochemical, retail and lifestyle, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), and technology and automotive. The facility is strategically located with a close link to seaport operations and the Al Maktoum Airport. It 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. For example, with advanced solutions for expiry date management, wastages in FMCG can be brought down to zero. "Our customers deserve solutions that add value and create efficiencies to their supply chains. With our state-of-the-art W&D facility, I am confident that we are poised well to take on this responsibility," Cook added.