DHL Global Forwarding is looking to strengthen its presence in eastern UAE near Khor Fakkan and Dibba, regional chief executive Tobias Maier told The National in an interview published Nov. 8. Maier said the company would continue investing in the area but gave no details on the projects or their cost.
The move comes as DHL maintains a broader regional investment plan. The company announced in June 2025 that it would invest more than €500 million in the Middle East between 2024 and 2030, focusing on Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The program covers DHL’s Express, Global Forwarding, Supply Chain and eCommerce divisions.
“Our plans didn't change, especially for the GCC [and] we will continue to spend money,” Maier told The National. Maier cited tight freight capacity, route changes, extra handling and rising fuel costs as factors lifting logistics costs.
DHL has an existing rail partnership in the UAE: the company and Etihad Rail announced a 20-year agreement in 2023 to establish a joint venture and use the national rail network for freight operations.
Port development is also planned on the east coast. DP World said in July it had reached an agreement in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority to develop terminals at Al Rugaylat and Dibba under a 50-year concession.
