Accelerating growth in tough times

DP World keeps trade flowing in challenging times and helps build global economy's next phase

DP World has been adopting innovative ways to enhance efficiency and help keep trade flowing through challenging times.

DP World and Free Zones, including Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA, contribute some 33 per cent to Dubai's GDP and has played an instrumental part in Dubai's emergence as one of the most connected cities both in the region and the world and the emirate's diversification and growth strategy.

The ports sector plays a key role in Dubai's economy and its development is integral to its long-term strategic plans. The initiatives by the provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The company is now geared up to help build the next phase of the global economy to accelerate growth.

Exploring strategies

In recent years, DP World has made a series of acquisitions as part of its strategy to become the world's leading end-to-end logistics provider, with a network including economic zones, industrial parks and inland transportation. Firms in the logistics industry are racing to rapidly expand capacity, diversify routes, enhance network agility and resilience and reduce costs. There is no denying that the achievement of such results will turn on how quickly and comprehensively logistics firms' operations embrace digitalisation.

One of the most exciting developments at DP World was the recent launch of cutting-edge online logistics tools and services, covering sea, land and air shipping around the world. The connected ecosystem of platforms will enable freight forwarders and any business, to book shipments of cargo from and to anywhere in the world, by any combination of sea, land and air. The initiative represents a major step forward in digitising the management of logistics to increase the efficiency, visibility and the resilience of global supply chains. DP World has accelerated the already planned roll-out of the platforms to help companies meet the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis and keep trade flowing including vital food and medical supplies.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World said: "We believe that our new platforms, including the Digital Freight Alliance, will contribute to opening new commercial opportunities for our customers, even during the sudden economic downturn.
"This technology is a direct business enabler. Digitising trade will help companies do more business, more efficiently. It will also support the global imperative to keep trade moving during the current crisis to help meet the demand of world markets."

DP World Chief Operating Officer for Logistics and Technology, Mike Bhaskaran, added: "The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that we must do all we can to make supply chains stronger to keep trade flowing, even in times of unprecedented challenges for the world. DP World's vision is to digitalise supply chains leveraging our worldwide infrastructure of ports, terminals, economics zones and other assets.

"Our new platforms are moving the management of moving cargo online. It will enable our customers to be more efficient and increase the visibility and predictability of supply chains. This will help them to grow their businesses, and ultimately keep countries supplied with the vital goods they need in the crisis."

Bedrock of business

DP World's growing global network of ports, terminals and economic zones are the bedrock of the business with more than 150 operations in over 50 countries. The digital trade and logistics platforms will leverage this vast network of real-world infrastructure to offer end-to-end supply chain services.

In May this year, DP World completed the early stages of integration with TradeLens, a blockchain-based digital container logistics platform, jointly developed by A.P. Moller - Maersk and IBM to help accelerate the digitisation of global supply chains. DP World aims to connect all its 82 marine and inland container terminals, as well as feeder companies and logistics divisions with TradeLens. In 2019, DP World's terminals handled 71.2 million TEU containers from around 70,000 vessels.

For DP World, the data from its integration with TradeLens will improve operational efficiency with earlier visibility of container flows across multiple carriers. Such visibility includes confirmation of the transport modality that follows the port stay for each container, which in heavy trans-shipment or rail ports enable better yard planning. It will also expand the capabilities of DP World's digital platforms created to move online the management of logistics. The DF Alliance will further enable shippers to move cargo to and from anywhere at the click of a mouse, across DP World's network and beyond.

By working with TradeLens, DP World will accelerate the digitisation of global trade. Modernising the processes by which logistics operate is critical to building more robust and more efficient supply chains which will help economic development and generate more prosperity.

Social awareness

Earlier, in the holy month of Ramadan, DP World announced the launch of a new online marketplace for Ramadan bazaars to support local artisans and small businesses in selling their products. Launched in close partnership with the Department of Economic Development, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai Department

of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the platform aims to keep trade flowing amid social distancing practices. Built in just three weeks, Manasah.com would help small businesses, currently unable to trade in physical environments, sell their goods online during the holy month. Ramadan bazaars are a popular attraction in the UAE during Ramadan.

Apart from providing an opportunity for local artisans and small businesses to sell their products, it is also an expression of the country's culture, building community spirit among citizens and residents. More recently, DP World created a feedering and shortsea network serving hundreds of ports across the globe. This was realised by integrating its recent acquisitions Unifeeder and Feedertech.

Growth through innovation

DP World's vision, according to bin Sulayem, is to become the leading end-to-end supply chain solutions provider and contribute to strengthening the position of the countries in which DP World operate. "Our smart logistics and feedering and shortsea services, combined with our worldwide network of ports, terminals and storage facilities around the world, together with our increasing logistics capabilities on land, as we own rail services in Europe and India, mean that we can offer truly innovative solutions to our customers."

Innovation has always been the key driver for growth in international logistics, and DP World is at the forefront of tech innovation in the transport and logistics industry. When built, DP World Cargospeed, using Hyperloop technology, will serve as a testament to data-driven innovation.

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