The Dubai Logisitics Corridor, a 200sqkm superhighway linking sea, land and air transport routes was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of the Dubai Aviation City Corporation this week.

Connecting the Jebel Ali Port, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, home to more than 6,500 companies and Al Maktoum International Airport, the corridor brings together the components to create a truly multimodal logistics platform and represents a big step forward for the Dubai World Central (DWC) mega aerotropolis currently under construction.

"The launch of the Dubai Logistics Corridor demonstrates our focus on creating synergies that enhance the flow of goods and services within the emirate and, indeed, across the world," added Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai World Central. "This is another important step in fulfilling Dubai's vision to assume a leading position in the network of global logistics hubs."

Occupying an area of 140sqkm in Jebel Ali, next to the UAE's largest free zones (JAFZA) and the Jebel Ali Sea Port, the sixth largest container terminal in the world, the DWC is the bigges aerotropolis development in the world.

In addition to the dedicated link to Jebel Ali Sea Port, DWC's unique multimodal capabilities are supported by links to all main motorways in the country and the Al Maktoum International Airport, which once complete will handle up to 120 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of air cargo per year. The airport will also serve as the main gateway to aviation and logistics companies that have already chosen DWC as their base for fast-cycle logistics.

By Oliver Clark