Demand in Dubai’s industrial market remained buoyant in the first six months of 2016, with occupiers moving and expanding their operations in greater numbers towards Dubai South, pre-empting the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and the World Expo in 2020, according to the latest research from international real estate consultancy, Cluttons.
 
With the seasonal push for logistics contracts heading into the third quarter, key areas such as Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) and onshore locations such as DIP (Dubai Investments Park) continue to command a great share of occupier interest, stated Cluttons in its Dubai Summer 2016 Industrial Bulletin.

Dubai’s Logistics City in Dubai South is one of the largest industrial submarkets under construction in the UAE and has already attracted a number of high profile occupiers including Integrated National Logistics, Emirates Sky Cargo, Aramex and Panalpina, it added.
 
Faisal Durrani, the head of research at Cluttons said: "Interestingly, rents for Class A units in areas around Al Maktoum International Airport now stand at Dh60 per sq ft, the same level as at Dubai Airport Free Zone, which goes to show the rising popularity of areas towards the new airport, where the next stage of expansion is set to be announced in the near term."  
 
Cluttons latest research shows that Dubai’s most expensive area for Class A and Class B industrial space is Silicon Oasis, where rents stand at Dh77 per sq ft and Dh65 per sq ft respectively.

Jebel Ali Industrial Area remains the most competitive area for Class A space with rents standing at Dh35 per sq ft, while secondary space at Jebel Ali Free Zone is the cities lowest, at Dh24 per sq ft.
 
Durrani said: "Our research shows that although prices across the leasing and sales markets have softened over the first two quarters of this year, the volume of transactions has been maintained, with a number of deals being recorded across the market in both free-zone and non-free-zone areas."

According to Clutton’s report, activity levels are also rising in new locations across the city, including Dubai Science Park (DSP), where a second phase of warehouse space has been commissioned and is expected to be completed in 2017.
 
The report highlights that build-to-suit facilities have increased in popularity over the last 12 months, with Dubai South and Jafza being the focus of such activity.

The government has been quick to react to increasing demand and has moved to support growth, recently announcing that international developers and investors will be permitted to buy land in key freehold areas of Dubai South, although it is not yet known what use permissions will be available.

The new Dubai Industrial Strategy was also launched at the end of June, with an aim to enhance its image as a platform for innovative industries in an environment of growth and sustainability.
 
Murray Strang, the head of Cluttons Dubai, said: "Looking ahead, it is our expectation that rents for warehouses will continue to remain relatively unchanged over the next six to twelve months."

"With a stable and healthy level of occupier activity and a steady stream of speculative development, we are not expecting to see any major swings in average lease rates," he stated.
 
"Looking further ahead to next year, it is likely that there may be a slight upturn in overall warehousing activity as the World Expo draws closer. We are yet to see a major Expo-linked boost to the market; however this is something we expect will materialise 18-24 months prior to the event," remarked Strang.

"Specifically, we expect to see requirements from the construction, hospitality and food and beverage sectors start to tick up directly as a result of the 2020 Expo," he added.-TradeArabia News Service