APL Logistics, a leading provider of international supply chain solutions, has launched its flow center operations within Dubai Logistics City’s (DLC) international free trade zone.

The business is one of the first logistics providers to pioneer the use of the DLC which has been created to maximise Dubai’s position as a regional trading location, with around 60 per cent of the Middle East’s imports transiting its borders.

APL Logistics’ flow center model focuses on enhancing the speed and reliability of product movement by linking specialised multi-country consolidation, distribution and other value-added services with international transportation networks.

The operations are based in one of the largest, state-of-the-art facilities in the DLC and can access a scalable capacity of up to 25,000 square meters and 26,585 pallet positions due to its partnership agreement with the Dubai-based facility owner, RSA Logistics. In line with demand, the center can be expanded to 40,000 sqm to provide APL Logistics with the flexibility to create fully customised consolidation and distribution services to a range of customer segments.

The strategic location of the facility enables APL Logistics to fully leverage its own seamless domestic and international sea-air-road distribution systems. For example, it is adjacent to a number of light manufacturing sites and is close to Dubai’s air cargo terminal, Jebel Ali Port and road transportation links. The result is faster product movement throughout supply chain operations to achieve greater cost reductions.

“As one of the first providers to leverage the use of this location it deepens our footprint in the Middle East and complements our existing range of integrated logistics services for local and international customers. These focus on accelerating the movement of goods into the region from Asia’s key manufacturing locations and efficiently redistributing products domestically, throughout the Gulf or into sub-Saharan Africa,” commented Komol Roongruangyot, managing director, APL Logistics Middle East.

The Free Zone location further enables foreign customers to benefit from tax advantages of using this as an accessible manufacturing and distribution base. And, due to the proximity of intermodal transportation networks, including connectivity to its less-than-container-load and full-container-load ocean freight services, APL Logistics can reduce cargo movement and waiting time to shave transportation expenditure.

Value-added services such as packaging, re-packing, product assembly and quality control are supported by specialised APL Logistics’ technology created to optimise supply chain visibility and control.-TradeArabia News Service