The United Arab Emirates (UAE) logistics industry is undergoing structural changes due to economic diversification plans, harmonization of regional trade and customs regulations, expansion and modernization of logistics infrastructure. Despite lower oil prices, economic growth is expected to be driven by non-oil economic sectors, construction activities relating to capacity expansion and modernization of logistics related infrastructure. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), UAE is expected to benefit from trade policy developments and formation of regional transportation corridors in the GCC region.

GCC logistics infrastructure is increasingly becoming important as the region has emerged as an important transhipment point for Europe-Asia trade and also as a multimodal logistics hub to cater to the needs of increasing trade within the region. GCC level economic and logistics services integration is expected to derive creation of integrated multi-modal transport system and strengthening of multi modal transportation corridors in the region. The logistics infrastructure developments and Integration of the Transportation & Logistics service in the GCC provide opportunities to the local logistics service providers in the UAE.

Some of the key trends identified in the UAE logistics industry are:

• Economic diversification, growing domestic demand, and development of export oriented industrial centres and free zones are likely to support both transhipment and regional trade growth
• Transportation infrastructure development and new technology solutions are likely to strengthen the infrastructure required for the multi-modal transportation system
• Airport expansion and the GCC rail network will strengthen alternate mode for freight and cargo transportation
• The integration of logistics functions, harmonization of the GCC customs regulations will lead to synchronized, co-ordinated, and interconnected regional logistics network
• Lifting of Iran sanctions will increase trade activities in the region and likely to support demand for logistics services outsourcing growth

Transportation & Logistics segment accounted for around $29.08 billion in UAE’s GDP for 2015. Services sector will be the growth engine for the UAE economy. Dubai leads the Logistics industry in the UAE with around 45.0 per cent share in 2015 followed by Abu Dhabi. The logistics industry constitutes more than 14.0 per cent of Dubai’s GDP, the highest amongst all emirates. The strategic geographical position of Dubai and improved infrastructure facilitate a substantial share of international shipments directed to the UAE. Capacity expansion and infrastructure investment are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), UAE logistics industry is expected to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2016.