Unique combination of infrastructure ownership and end-to-end services provides manufacturing industry customers with more resilience and bespoke solutions for their supply chains

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 12 March 2024 - DP World, the global leader in supply chain solutions, has inaugurated the latest in a string of more than 100 freight forwarding offices across the world, marking a significant expansion aimed at supporting customers in the manufacturing industry as they navigate the complexities of global trade.

In response to increasing disruptions to global trade - from climate change, geopolitics and macroeconomic challenges - DP World has embarked on a bold initiative to bolster its commitment to its customers in the manufacturing industry.

The offices already employ 1,000 staff, adding to DP World's already 108,000-strong team and this is expected to grow significantly over the next 12 months, helping move more than 10% of global trade every year.

The manufacturing sector is facing more varied logistics requirements, as it seeks to deliver supply chain transparency, real-time tracking and the ability to trace the origins and ethical sourcing of goods. It is one of the industries facing inventory distortion challenges as a result of increased warehousing costs, leading to an annual loss of around US$1.8trn . DP World's expansion into freight forwarding addresses these challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

DP World's toolbox of services or capabilities made up of ports, terminals, warehouses, trucks, rail, feedering and marine services will increase control and resilience, supported by proprietary digital technology, whilst also working with complementary partners across the supply chain to boost efficiency.

This new approach from DP World comes at a pivotal moment for the manufacturing industry, when businesses are prioritising dynamic strategies to build resilience into their supply chains, according to Economist Impact research . This is fuelled by concerns of global trade disruptions caused by climate change, geopolitics and stubborn inflation.

DP World's freight forwarding expansion means businesses in the manufacturing sector can capitalise on its global logistics workforce of over 45,000 personnel, which makes up nearly half of the supply chain solutions company's worldwide staff count. The freight forwarding service is delivered through a single digital window that allows businesses to track their goods in real time and easily manage their cargo.

Marco Nazzari, VP Commercial Freight Forwarding at DP World, said: "Timely delivery and agile logistics are crucial to the manufacturing industry. Our freight forwarding expansion means manufacturers can gain more visibility on their cargo and more control over their goods."

The growing service currently spans order and origin management, port handling and freight management for ocean and air, and at-destination services such as customs, drayage, logistics, last-mile delivery, deconsolidation and bonded warehousing services. Additionally, DP World offers a variety of value-add services including embedded trade finance, commodity-specific services, cars in containers, transload and advanced hubs and more.

This is all accessed through a single digital window that is backed by an integrated Global Services Centre that centralises back-end processes made up of over 500 IT specialists. The advanced digital system means customers can track their goods in real time and easily manage their cargo journey.

"We employ over 1,000 team members in our freight forwarding business and we will continue to grow. Our skilled team, cutting-edge solutions and owned assets make a difference for our manufacturing industry customers across all six continents" Nazzari continued.

DP World's significant growth in freight forwarding continues the full evolution of the Dubai-based business from a legacy ports and terminals operator into a full-service end-to-end supply chain solutions provider.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world's trade flow better, changing what's possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 108,100 employees from 161 nationalities, spanning 74 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that's fit for the future.

We're rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology - and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we're at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer's door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGES WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.