Dubai could develop into a perishable logistics center

Dubai has a wonderful opportunity to develop into a major perishable logistics centre according to the General Manager at Trident Freight LLC. Explaining the general scenario to 'Logistics World', he said that at present there are only direct shipments of perishables to Dubai and most of the global companies do not hub in Dubai. However, he stressed that Dubai must have adequate infrastructure and processes and complete control of the perishables at every stage of the chain.

The huge opportunity is there. In this respect, Dubai is heading in the right direction having decided to set up a huge perishable handling facilities with special temperature control area for flowers near Dubai Air Cargo Terminal, he said.

However, he explains that perishables need a systematic and very technical approach for the supply chain to be successful and due to the high temperature in this region, every link in the chain must be carefully considered.

Explaining his own experience in Trident Freight, he said that there was a time when Trident Freight, which handles the logistics of an essential cancer treatment drug from Australia, had to wait some 6-7 hours after the flight had landed before the shipment could reach the temperature control environment.

However, he was quick to point out that, thanks to the personal involvement of Ram Menen, Director Cargo at Emirates SkyCargo, who responded immediately, the problem was resolved and at present there is a maximum of one hour from flight landing, the cargo goes directly to refrigerated trucks.

Trident Freight is involved in the shipment of pharmaceutical products from Australia and the UK. The company manages the entire distribution chain for the Middle East and Africa. There is a major opportunity in Dubai for life line logistics' since a number of pharmaceutical companies are sending their shipment from different parts of the world to the different parts of the region. With the demand for these products increasing it is essential to maintain a buffer stock. Dubai offers an ideal environment to do just that.

There are a number of big German pharmaceutical companies that are very seriously looking at changing the supply chain by having their hub in Dubai. Being one of the top logistics providers in this field, the company is investing, in its own logistics center in the airport free zone in Dubai.

The construction of this logistics center starts next month. "If all goes well, we should go live with the temperature control environment facility before the end of the year. This center will target pharmaceutical companies to use third party logistics in the supply chain." The logistics operation has been very successful with the company achieving a 31% growth in 2001, which was maintained with a further growth of 29% in 2002.

Trident Freight is a part of the Rais Hassan Saadi Group. In the last three years the Group has migrated from traditional forwarding to a more customer integrated approach, providing customers solutions for specific businesses, for specific target segments. This has given the Group good returns as reflected in its growth.