DHL Group has confirmed it will invest over €500 million in logistics infrastructure and operations across the Middle East, with the bulk of activity focused on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The investment is scheduled to span from 2024 through 2030 and is aligned with the company’s Strategy 2030, which targets regions with growing trade and supply chain demand.
The initiative will support all four of the company’s divisions—DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Supply Chain, and DHL eCommerce—and is intended to strengthen logistics capacity, infrastructure, and resilience in the region.
“The region of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is rapidly emerging as a global logistics and innovation hub,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “Our investment reflects the region’s increasing strategic importance in connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.”
The Middle East is positioning itself as a bridge between major global markets. With rising foreign direct investment and increased exports from regional businesses, DHL aims to provide logistics services that support evolving demands in trade, including warehousing, freight, customs brokerage, and sector-specific services for industries such as healthcare and energy.
Hendrik Venter, CEO of DHL Supply Chain for Europe, Middle East & Africa, noted, “We are poised to take advantage of our contract logistics expertise to meet the unique needs of our customers and drive innovation in these critical areas.” Meanwhile, Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, emphasized the importance of supply chain resilience and digital readiness amid global volatility.
Among the targeted areas for development are enhanced aviation capabilities for DHL Express, fleet expansion including electric vehicles by DHL Global Forwarding, and increased warehousing capacity and automation within DHL Supply Chain. DHL eCommerce will also benefit through its acquisition of AJEX in Saudi Arabia to boost last-mile delivery capabilities.
DHL’s investment plan also includes a sustainability component, covering biofuels, solar energy, and electrification, in line with broader regional government goals to advance environmental performance.