DHL Group plans to invest more than €500 million (USD $545 million) across the Persian Gulf region by 2030, targeting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as strategic logistics hubs.
The expansion comes amid a broader global growth strategy, with DHL also scaling operations in the United States. The investment will support infrastructure upgrades across DHL’s four business units, Express, Global Forwarding, Supply Chain, and Ecommerce. It includes:
- New warehousing capacity
- Expanded freight and air networks
- Enhanced last-mile capabilities
- Deployment of low-emission and digital logistics technologies
“The Gulf Cooperation Council is rapidly emerging as a global logistics and innovation hub,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “This investment reflects the region’s increasing strategic importance in connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.”
DHL to invest in Persian Gulf logistics
The move comes as Dubai undergoes a major ecommerce boom. The E-Commerce Report in the MENA Region 2024 projects the city’s ecommerce market to grow to AED 50.6 billion (USD $13.8 billion) by 2029. That would be up from AED 32.3 billion (USD $8.8 billion) in 2024. The growth is fueled by public-private coordination, infrastructure investment, and government-led initiatives like Business Dubai. Invest in Dubai published the report, which the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) supported.
Business Dubai is an integrated business setup platform under DET. It has simplified licensing, regulation, and startup support for digital businesses. Meanwhile, EZDubai offers over 920,000 square meters of fulfillment and logistics space, enabling same-day and next-day delivery across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. EZDubai is a purpose-built ecommerce zone launched in 2019. It’s located between Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port.
“Dubai has positioned itself as a regional ecommerce leader, and that shift is driving rapid demand for more advanced logistics services,” said Hendrik Venter, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, Europe, Middle East & Africa. “Our investment in the region is about meeting that demand and strengthening supply chain resilience for industries like energy, health care, and tech.”
Key elements of DHL’s Gulf expansion
- DHL Express. Expanding air freight capacity and hub infrastructure to improve delivery speeds and cross-border trade.
- DHL Global Forwarding. Growing its regional footprint through joint ventures — including one with Etihad Rail — and investing in electric trucks and multimodal transport options.
- DHL Supply Chain. Adding warehouse space and automation to support contract logistics for high-growth sectors.
- DHL eCommerce. Enhancing last-mile logistics through the integration of AJEX, a Saudi-based delivery provider.
The company also emphasized environmental sustainability as part of its regional strategy. It has pledged continued investment in electric vehicles, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable energy infrastructure.
“This investment underscores our confidence in the Middle East’s economic trajectory,” said Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East & Africa. “We are expanding our operations to help clients navigate global trade complexities and supply chain disruption.”
In parallel, DHL is also expanding its U.S. footprint, with ongoing investments in automation, distribution centers, and green fleet technologies to handle growing volumes from domestic ecommerce and international trade.
Across both markets, DHL’s strategy reflects a pivot toward building more agile and digitally integrated logistics networks, driven by shifting trade flows and rising demand for speed, reliability, and sustainability.
“This region is no longer just a waypoint,” Diallo added. “It’s becoming a core engine of global trade — and we intend to be ready for what’s next.”
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