RSA National, the joint venture between National Air Cargo and Dubai-based logistics provider RSA Global, has opened its new air cargo terminal at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport.

According to RSA National, the new facility is a multimodal transit hub for road, sea and air, and will support the company’s vision to be a one-stop, boutique integrator offering multimodal supply chain solutions.

“RSA Global is a home-grown brand and we have been inspired by the UAE leadership’s vision to build the aviation capital of the world,” said Abhishek Ajay Shah, co-founder and group CEO of RSA Global. “We believe the launch of RSA National’s flagship air cargo terminal is a game changer for the UAE’s aviation and logistics industry to claim the number-one spot. We have designed this smart facility to deliver innovative multimodal, tech-forward supply chain solutions and plan to expand as the region’s demands grow. The sky’s the limit.”

The terminal has a built-up area of 13,000 square metres and can be expanded within RSA National’s 56,000-square-metre footprint at the airport. It is located on the Dubai Logistics Corridor, which links DWC with Jebel Ali Port, and offers fast inspection and clearance with Dubai Police and customs on site.

“The completion of the first phase of the first commercial cargo terminal at DWC is an important step for RSA National in the context of the UAE aviation industry, a vital driving force of the country’s economic diversification plan,” said Jacob Matthew, board member and president of the Middle East and Pacific Rim at National Air Cargo. “Non-oil sectors such as manufacturing, aviation and logistics are important contributors to the GDP with a contribution expected to account for nearly 90% of the economy by 2025. The cargo industry itself is witnessing major developments and recently recorded robust growth. Innovation in the transport industry is important, and as logistics providers with our own aircraft fleet, we constantly strive to improve efficiency around the movement of goods and also customer service.”

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said that DWC has witnessed impressive freight growth since it opened in 2010.

“The airport has quickly ascended the global rankings for international freight volumes and is now ranked in the top 20,” he said. “We have achieved this by developing and implementing leading-edge customer-centric processes, technology and infrastructure. RSA National’s innovative and tech-forward mindset is fully aligned with this approach and we are honoured to celebrate this great achievement with them today.”

The logistics sector is set to grow by 4.8% by 2021, according to an August 2017 report by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.