KIZAD Logistics City has been designed to offer flexible, on-demand storage, warehousing services and same-day distribution solutions
In an unprecedented move and in response to the demand for more flexibility from retailers, shippers and logistics companies, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) has recently announced the launch of the first ‘on-demand’ warehouse solutions offering in the Middle East.
The newly inaugurated, sprawling and well-planned KIZAD Logistics City offers warehousing services in a breakthrough, novel pay-per-use model that allows potential customers to avoid capital expense. The new hub, located at KIZAD, adjacent to Khalifa Port, one of the fastest growing ports in the world, is in close proximity to major UAE airports and is seamlessly connected by wide, modern highways to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
KIZAD Logistics City offers free zone and non-free zone warehousing solutions spanning over 1.3mn square feet, (119,000 square metres), equivalent in size to 17 soccer fields. The warehousing is suited to luxury goods, high-value retail items, food and pharmaceutical companies among other industry sectors. Each unit has its own dedicated loading yard with ramp access for forklifts and ample on-site parking. Facilities can be further customized or expanded to suit specialized or growing business needs.
All facilities can be booked on demand, without the need for long-term lease contracts and are available for a range of business needs, starting from 10,000 square feet (1,000 square metres). Online warehousing bookings are available through KIZAD’s dedicated e-services website on the Maqta Gateway platform (klc.kizad.ae) and other leading booking platforms like GO DC.
Strategic location
To add further flexibility and convenience, customers will also receive full investor support through Abu Dhabi government entities located at KIZAD’s Taweelah headquarters, conveniently located midpoint between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flexible space bookings through online platforms will also be bundled in a service offering that include packing and unpacking, palletizing and labelling.
Especially invited senior industry professionals from the logistics and retail sectors attended the launch event which included a panel discussion and the preview of a new report from LogiSYM entitled ‘Flexing it. Supply chain flexibility and the need for digitalisation in the UAE’. The report highlights how the United Arab Emirates stands out as a country determined to position itself in a region poised for growth, with strong innovative investment policies in globally oriented ports, airports and airlines.
During the inter-active discussions with the audience, a specific mention was made to the future of the e-commerce sector which is growing rapidly in the UAE, from US$ 2.5bn in 2014 to US$ 10bn by the end of 2018.
Following the launch event, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, noted that the rapid expansion of e-commerce in the region and same-day delivery models are reshaping warehousing needs. “We wanted to get ahead of the curve and provide a smart, on-demand, seamlessly connected warehouse hub for everybody, from e-commerce giants to small retailers and entrepreneurs,” he observed.
Harnessing emerging technologies
During his keynote address, Dr. Raymon Krishnan, President of the Singapore-based Logistics and Supply Chain Management Society, highlighted the deployment of leading technologies to enable ‘smarter’ solutions such as block-chain, data analytics and other innovations that enable logistics companies to succeed.
“Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. Digitalization and flexibility in warehousing are key ingredients towards overall supply chain optimization and growth. These are two essential pillars for supply chain stakeholders and operators to leverage in the new economy,” he further commented.
“With the rise of cloud, mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), social and analytics the data explosion is accelerating. KIZAD Logistics City is part of Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a major logistics hub serving East and West,” added Au Kah Soon, CEO of Get Go Global, Singapore and a guest speaker at the inaugural ceremonies.
