As the global air cargo industry convenes in Dubai for the World Cargo Symposium, dnata is showcasing a trio of significant infrastructure developments in The Netherlands, UAE, and Iraq—part of a broader investment strategy exceeding US$110 million aimed at enhancing its global cargo and logistics network.
“These projects are designed to deliver measurable gains in performance, traceability and resource efficiency,” said Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, CEO of Airport Operations at dnata. “Our latest investments prioritise automation, scalability and energy efficiency, enabling us to support our customers more effectively in a fast-changing logistics environment.”
Key Projects Set to Launch in 2025:
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands: A flagship 61,000m² automated cargo terminal—dnata Cargo City Amsterdam—will open at Schiphol Airport in July 2025, with a US$70 million investment. Equipped to process over 850,000 tonnes annually, the facility will feature advanced technologies such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and smart gates with 3D scanning. A Cargo Control Centre will manage operations with full shipment oversight and real-time coordination.
- Erbil, Iraq: dnata is building a 20,000m² cargo facility with a US$15 million investment, tripling its handling capacity in the region to 66,000 tonnes per year. Scheduled to open in July 2025, the site will run on dnata’s cloud-based OneCargo system, enabling automated, end-to-end cargo management.
- Dubai, UAE: A new 57,000m² logistics centre at Dubai South is under development, with a US$27 million investment. Due for completion by the end of 2025, the facility will support 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually and feature full temperature control, optimised racking systems, and integrated truck bays for high-efficiency loading and unloading.
All three facilities share a modular design philosophy that allows for future tech upgrades and operational flexibility, while integrated sustainability features aim to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term energy efficiency.
“These strategic investments are not only expanding our capacity but also preparing us for a more connected, data-driven future in global logistics,” Sauvé-Hopkins added.