DB Schenker has opened its first fully solar-powered logistics centre in Dubai to serve as its central regional logistics hub in the Middle East.

The new mega distribution centre — to be called DLC II — is located in the logistics area of Dubai South, in the immediate vicinity of Al Maktoum International Airport, with an area of 33,000 m2.

The German logistics firm said DLC II will become the central regional logistics hub in the Middle East for DB Schenker’s customers, including Unilever: one of the world’s leading suppliers of home care, beauty & personal care, foods and refreshment products.

The temperature-controlled new logistics centre offers space for a total of 90,000 Euro pallets and has a 3,000 m2 mezzanine for value-added services.

Total capacity of 80,000 m2 by 2021

"The logistics centre’s service portfolio comprises warehousing including hazardous material storage, various value-added services, distribution and delivery services as well as ocean and air freight transport. The DLC II is located in one of the most important free trade zones in the region," it said.

DB Schenker noted that direct connections to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport will also enable fast and uncomplicated transportation.

With the completion of the DLC II, the second of three phases of the growth plan for the expansion of contract logistics in Dubai has been completed, it said. By 2021, DB Schenker said it will have created logistics space with a total capacity of 80,000 m2.

The opening of the Dubai facility comes after a successful first collaboration in Saudi Arabia, DB Schenker said.

The construction of the Dubai centre, powered entirely by solar energy, is part of a series of Eco Warehouses at DB Schenker, noting that other green warehouses are located in Singapore, Helsinki, Klagenfurt, Tilburg and Dortmund.