DHL Express opens EUR 5.5m gateway in Morocco

DHL Express has opened a new EUR 5.5m gateway in Casablanca, Morocco, at Mohammed V International Airport. The new 6,800 square metre facility – which is the first of its kind in the country – is equipped with a cold chain facility and a dedicated strategic parts centre.

It will help improve connectivity between Morocco and Europe and will accommodate a daily overnight flight to and from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport.

Furthermore, It is furnished with a state-of-the-art security system, including two X-Ray machines, full-access control system and over 30 closed circuit TV units.

Equipped with eight full-size unit loading device (ULD) sorting positions, the facility has the capacity to sort conveyable shipments to a peak capacity of up to 4,000 shipments per day.

Nour Suliman, CEO, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, whose recent promotion was reported by Post&Parcel, said: “The European Union (EU) is one of the biggest trade entities with Morocco, with France being the largest trading country. We have seen the trade between the EU and Morocco growing steadily over the last few years. This strategic investment marks a commitment from DHL to support and facilitate the burgeoning import and export growth in Morocco.

“Since its establishment in Morocco in 1987, DHL Express continues to invest to support the economic development of Morocco. North Africa remains a key growth region with strong business opportunities and DHL’s continued investment in Morocco demonstrates the company’s confidence in the country’s growth potential.”

Bachi Spiga, head of operations, DHL Express Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, added: “The DHL Express Casablanca gateway is connected to a well-established European air network which is served by more than 90 aircraft and over 100 commercial daily flights. With a daily dedicated flight to and from Europe, DHL Express is the only logistics company in Morocco to deploy its own aircraft, providing a guarantee of safety, speed and reliability for Moroccan customers.”

The cold chain facility located within the DHL Express Casablanca Gateway provides a temperature controlled area (-5°C to 8°C), which can handle temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and life science products.

The strategic parts centre is catered to store and manage distribution of mission-critical spare parts for customers, especially those in the high-tech and electronic industries.

Faysal El Hajjami, general manager, DHL Express Maghreb Area said: “With a dedicated cold chain facility and strategic parts centre, DHL customers across Morocco, especially those in the automotive, electronics, life science and high-tech industries stand to enjoy the benefits from the introduction of such capabilities. The establishment of the gateway serves to meet the growing needs of our customers and reinforces DHL’s leading position in the Moroccan market.”