- The new Innovation Center is now a permanent hub to co-create scalable logistics solutions for the MEA region with customers, partners and startups, and can host up to 120 participants.
- DHL Supply Chain commits €120 million to develop a 55,000 square meter multi-user warehouse designed to power global supply chains and serve as a strategic gateway linking East and West.
- These developments expand DHL’s operational footprint in the region
DHL Group has officially opened its newly expanded Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in Dubai South, reinforcing the company’s continued investment in shaping the future of logistics across the region.
In parallel, DHL Supply Chain is investing €120 million in a new multi-user warehouse within the same logistics park.
The facility will operate carbon neutral and is strategically located near the Innovation Center and the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport. Together, these developments will create a powerhouse where innovations and operations converge, expanding DHL’s presence in Dubai and throughout the UAE. This strategic expansion reinforces DHL Group’s long-term commitment to the region and builds on its long history of leadership, providing closer integration between innovation and operations for customers.
Katja Busch, DHL Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Customer Solutions and Innovation at DHL, said: “The MEA region is one of our most vibrant regions, and DHL was among the first logistics companies to establish a strong presence here. Building on the success of its previous mobile setup, the new innovation center is now a permanent hub, demonstrating our commitment to the MEA region and the UAE as one of only four DHL Innovation Centers worldwide. It helps customers navigate the region’s dynamic logistics landscape through collaboration and innovation.” “The sophisticated one.”
For his part, Orkun Saruhanoğlu, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Middle East and Africa, said: “Our new multi-user warehouse in the Dubai South Free Zone strengthens our regional presence by bringing innovation and operations closer together. Shaping the future of trade, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to support global supply chains and will enhance DHL’s ability to serve customers looking for shorter lead times. The site will serve as a contract logistics gateway and will serve as a vital bridge between East and West. Our customers will benefit from integrated solutions and innovation. Drives efficiency, sustainability and growth across entire supply chains.
Spread over 1,700 square metres, the DHL MEA Innovation Centre, is designed to serve as a collaborative platform that brings together customers, partners, start-ups and academic institutions to foster exchange, explore emerging technologies, test scalable solutions and co-create innovations that address real-world logistics challenges. It includes dedicated spaces for meetings and workshops, and serves as a regional beacon for logistics transformation. The center also hosts experts from the DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation regional team, where they drive thought leadership and practical innovation. As part of DHL’s global network of Innovation Centers in Cologne, Singapore and Chicago, it enables cross-regional collaboration, trend exploration and scalable development of next-generation logistics solutions.
A new modern logistics gateway for Energy Logistics in Dubai South
DHL Supply Chain has signed a landmark €120 million agreement, including lease commitments, for 38 years on a 96,000 square meter plot of land in Dubai South. The project will include a 55,000 square meter multi-use warehouse as well as additional office space, in a strategic location near the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the largest airport in the world. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with completion scheduled for summer 2027. DHL’s supply chain is committed to 100% carbon-neutral warehousing operations, enabling customers to significantly reduce their carbon footprints by pursuing greener supply chains. The facility is designed to serve customers across multiple sectors, and will handle high-value cargo to strict security and operational standards. This long-term investment underscores DHL’s renewed commitment to Dubai South as a key logistics hub in the Middle East.
The new warehouse and launch of DHL’s Middle East and Africa Innovation Center complement significant investments in infrastructure that reinforce the company’s regional growth strategy. Earlier this year, DHL recently unveiled its multi-year investment agenda, committing €500 million to the Middle East and €300 million to Sub-Saharan Africa, an ambitious plan that is already being translated into action.
About the Author
