Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Agility and Al Bateen Investments (ABI) have formed a joint venture company.

The Agility Abu Dhabi will provide integrated logistics solutions including warehousing, transportation, distribution, freight forwarding, project logistics and other value-added supply chain services to businesses in Abu Dhabi, the company said in a statement.

Agility Abu Dhabi, a private joint stock company based in Abu Dhabi, will capitalise on the synergies and efficiencies that an integrated logistics solution offers. The company will provide a comprehensive range of logistics services strategically addressing the needs of the rapidly growing economy of the emirate and the UAE, it added.

“The launch of Agility Abu Dhabi is in line with Mubadala’s commitment of building businesses that are scalable and sustainable,” said Mubadala Chief Operating Officer Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi.

“A flourishing economy requires sustained and world-class integrated logistics services and according to our analysis, a growing number of businesses in our Emirate are in need of such support whether it is in the form of warehouse management, distribution and/or freight management. Partnering with best in class players in the sector will contribute to the creation and further development of a logistics center of excellence in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

“Launching Agility Abu Dhabi marks an important step in our local and regional operations,” said Agility CEO for Middle East & Africa Elias Monem. “With outsourcing becoming the overriding trend in the UAE logistics market, the demand for 3PL (Third Party Logistics) supply chain services is growing at a rapid pace. We aim to provide tailored solutions to customers who have unique logistics requirements. We also offer operational convenience, with a single point of contact for a variety of bundled services.”

Agility Abu Dhabi will specifically cater to sophisticated customers that require customised and flexible services, increased convenience through comprehensive service offerings, reduced administrative burden from dealing with a single provider, seamless integration of IT systems for better end-to-end visibility, and improved product flows with fewer hand-offs and monitoring requirements, the company said.

“The region in general and the UAE in particular are witnessing an unprecedented, rapid economic growth that is dynamically reshaping the region. With these changes come new challenges and new opportunities. The further development of the logistics sector in Abu Dhabi is essential in this fast emerging market. In view of that, ABI has entered into a joint venture with Mubadala and Agility, a global leader in the supply chain services,” said ABI Managing Director Dhafir Sahmi Al Ahbabi.

Agility Abu Dhabi’s operations will start with the development of a 375,000 sq. meter warehouse facility in Mussafah during 2008.

The project will initially include a 30,000 sq. meter state-of-the-art and environmentally-controlled warehouse facility and a 50,000 sq. meter open yard storage for bulk cargo.

The storage areas will be made of pre-engineered steel portal frames and will accommodate up to 60,000 pallets. A fleet of 200 trailers handling container as well as bulk cargo will cater for the distribution of goods within Abu Dhabi. - TradeArabia News Service