The rapid freight forwarding footprint expansion of Dubai-based multinational ports operator, DP World, through sub-Saharan African has been nothing short of astounding, with 18 offices in place and another 18 on the cards by the end of the year.
Its African growth forms part of a global strategy to expand its freight forwarding business through the opening of 100 offices, adding 1000 job opportunities to its existing staff complement of 108,000.
This number is expected to increase substantially over the next year, assisting in moving over 10 percent of global trade annually, as per an official statement.
The latest development at DP World comes amidst a shift in business strategies towards building resilience in supply chains, highlighted by Economist Impact research.
According to the magazine’s findings, traditional asset-light freight forwarding models, which rely on third-party cargo movement, are vulnerable to disruptions at critical points, leading to repercussions in inventory and fulfilment planning for businesses and their clients.
Hence, DP World's expansion arrives at a crucial juncture for the global logistics and supply chain sector, with businesses seeking greater control over their supply chains.
By enhancing its freight forwarding services, particularly in air and ocean freight, the Emirati company aims to utilise its array of services such as ports, terminals, warehouses, trucks, rail, and shipping services, bolstered by proprietary digital technology.
This expansion also involves collaboration with complementary partners across the supply chain to enhance efficiency.
The latest addition to DP World's network is the opening of an office in Miami, further strengthening its end-to-end network of port assets and specialist expertise spanning 430 business units across 86 countries.
Beat Simon, Group Chief Commercial Officer for Logistics at DP World, said: "Our expansion in freight forwarding complements our end-to-end supply chain solutions and capabilities. Our asset-appropriate approach revolutionises the freight forwarding industry, empowering customers with greater visibility and control in today's global market."
As the freight forwarding footprint grows, DP World aims to cover over 90% of global trade, focusing on enhancing network density to establish a resilient global capability.
The services provided encompass order and origin management, port handling, freight management for ocean and air, as well as destination services like customs, drayage, logistics, last-mile delivery, deconsolidation, and bonded warehousing services.
Additionally, DP World offers value-added services such as embedded trade finance, commodity-specific services, cars in containers, transload, and advanced hubs.
Customers can access these services through a single digital platform, supported by an integrated global services centre comprising over 500 IT specialists.
This advanced digital system enables real-time tracking of goods and simplified cargo management.
Marco Nazzari, the vice-president of Commercial Freight Forwarding at DP World, emphasised the role of both digital solutions and personnel in delivering a next-generation freight forwarding service.
DP World leverages its digital tools alongside the expertise and local knowledge of its team to streamline freight forwarding processes and enhance resilience throughout the supply chain.
