Dubai World Central (DWC)

The spirit of entrepreneurship and visionary foresight has been the hallmark of Dubai’s meteoric rise as a preeminent global destination. From the creation of Port Rashid to the Dubai Metro, the emirate has a tradition of investing in its future and developing the infrastructure necessary to spark future growth and further diversification of its economy. Dubai World Central is a continuation of this legacy.

The strategic underpinning of the master-planned development is based on three key factors: Dubai’s geographic location, the increasing importance of airports and the region’s booming aviation sector.

STRATEGIC LOCATION

Dubai is a vital connection point between East and West. Facilitating the global flow of goods, services and ideas, Dubai’s foreign trade amounted to USD 190 billion in 2011. Furthermore, its location positions it as a gateway to the emerging MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) markets, which have a cumulative GDP of USD 3.6 trillion (2009) and an estimated one-quarter of the world’s population.

DWC further cements Dubai’s leading position as a logistics and trade hub. It takes advantage of Jebel Ali Port (the largest container port between Singapore and Rotterdam) and seamlessly connects it to Al Maktoum International Airport through the dedicated Dubai Logistics Corridor. This forms a single custom-bonded zone, reducing time on the ground and accelerating the flow of sea-to-air/ air-to-sea cargo. With direct access to the major trans-emirate road networks, DWC is a true multimodal logistics platform providing unprecedented levels of connectivity, speed and efficiency.

The integrated master plan of Dubai World Central is comprised of eight districts: logistics, aviation, Al Maktoum International Airport, humanitarian, residential, commercial, leisure, exhibition and commercial. The centerpiece of the master plan is the Al Maktoum International Airport, which has the first of five planned runways completed and in operation. Around it, industry-focused districts take advantage of their close proximity to the airport to add unique facets to their value propositions. The logistics, humanitarian and aviation districts enjoy the added benefits of airside access while the exhibition district offers efficiency and cost savings due to its close proximity to the airport. Residential, commercial and leisure districts provide accommodation, office and entertainment options for people working at DWC and businesses that require frequent travel.

The development is strategically situated in the southern part of Jebel Ali, connected to the Jebel Ali Port via the Logistics Corridor. DWC provides direct access to two of the primary trans-emirate road networks (Emirates Road and the Dubai By-Pass). Additionally, DWC is a 15 to 30 minute drive from the heart of "new Dubai" with its five-star hotels, public beaches, world-class golf courses, shopping centers and a variety of high-end & affordable residential areas.

Room to Grow & Expand

The Business Park consists of eleven well-appointed office buildings located at the entrance of Dubai World Central, which make for easy links to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Divided into the East and West Wing, with the DWC HQ building in the middle, the Business Park provides unmatched flexibility for businesses. The DWC HQ offers finished offices ready for immediate occupancy while the East and West Wing buildings have core and shell commercial spaces that can be configured to client specifications. From ready-to-move-in, high-quality finished offices to open plan office space, the Business Park ensures that companies can relocate quickly and focus single-mindedly on expanding their operations.

One of the most attractive features of the Business Park at DWC is the opportunity for major corporations to consolidate their operations into large contiguous floors either vertically or horizontally. The unique design of the buildings and the open floor plan can readily accommodate even the most ambitious expansion plans. Even in the context of Dubai’s competitive and varied commercial real estate offerings, no other development can offer such unique configuration of this scale.

AIRPORT BUILT FOR THE FUTURE

At the heart of DWC is the Al Maktoum International Airport. Built for the future, the airport once completed will have the capacity to handle 12 million tonnes of annual cargo capacity and 160 million passengers. The infrastructure required to accommodate four additional CAT III-certified runways capable of handling four superjumbo aircraft landings simultaneously, 24 hours a day, is already in place.

Phase 2 of the airport, which includes the construction of an additional two automated and one non-automated cargo terminals, is currently under way. This is expected to increase the total cargo capacity at Al Maktoum International Airport to 1.4 million tonnes per annum. Concurrently, the groundwork for an exhibition area designated as the new permanent home of the Dubai Airshow beginning in 2013 is also in progress.

HOME OF GENERAL AVIATION

During Phase 1, general aviation is the central focus for the district. With the Al Maktoum International Airport certified for general aviation and the first purpose-built FBO facility set to commence operations from the district in 2013, it represents the first step in Dubai World Central’s strategy to create an integrated industry cluster.

Previously, the growth of general aviation in Dubai was limited by the on-the-ground capacity shortages at Dubai International Airport. As part of Dubai’s overall strategy, general aviation has commenced the migration to Dubai World Central. In the near-term, business jet operations will utilize the VIP terminal within the passenger terminal during which, leading FBO operators will construct their own customized solutions.

Business Jet Operations

With the ability to build bespoke facilities separate from commercial and cargo operations, FBO operators can offer a world-class experience for their discerning clientele.

Aviation Education

Cluster Emirates Flight Academy (EFA) anchors the Aviation Education Cluster. EFA aims to train the next generation of pilots and is currently in development. The surrounding plots around the academy are reserved for leading aviation education institutions that will help to train and educate the highly qualified professionals necessary to power the region’s dynamic aviation sector.

Dubai Airshow

Starting in 2013, the Dubai Airshow will be permanently hosted at Dubai World Central. The exhibition will feature a larger static park, improved parking and more catering facilities as compared to previous editions. With the total order book in 2011 exceeding $63 billion, the Dubai Airshow is undoubtedly the region’s leading aerospace event.

Hospitality

A range of hospitality and leisure amenities are being planned to facilitate the business operations of the Aviation District. From hotels to fitness clubs, the hospitality zone aims to be a flexible offering that can accommodate the unique needs of pilots, crew and support staff during their stay in Dubai.

MRO

Eight MRO Code F plots are currently available in Phase 1. Ideally situated, no other development in the region provides the world-class infrastructure or the expandability as the Aviation District at Dubai World Central.

Light Industry

A special zone has been designated to support the growth of the aviation-related light manufacturing sector. Given the dynamic growth of the overall aviation industry projected for the region and the UAE in particular, the Aviation District’s location, advanced infrastructure and true multimodal access make it the perfect place to take advantage of the business opportunities.

A MULTIMODAL LOGISTICS PLATFORM

The DWC Logistics District is situated adjacent to the Al Maktoum International Airport and enables fast-cycle logistics businesses to better control their inventory and create greater efficiencies across their supply chain. With the necessary infrastructure, space, facilities and access in place, it is perfectly suited as an effective distribution or global supply chain hub for the Middle Eastern, Southeast European, CIS, Indian sub-continent and African markets. 

Currently the Logistics District offers:

• Shared warehouses and dedicated plots for freight forwarders
• Plots for logistics businesses
• Plots for integrator facilities including light manufacturing
• Offices and commercial buildings for lease
• A FreeZone with 100% ownership, free capital transfer and zero taxes

A number of leading companies such as Aramex, Kuehne + Nagel, Panalpina, INL, RSA and Hellmann-Calipar have already taken advantage of the world-class facilities and infrastructure and are currently operating out of DWC.

SELF-CONTAINED ECOSYSTEM

The scale and scope of Dubai World Central are reflective of the Government of Dubai’s desire to stay ahead of the demand curve. Instead of putting itself in position to play catch-up, Dubai World Central proactively prepares for the future. 

As such, the current master plan foresees the eventual need for residential, leisure, exhibition and commercial districts in support of the aviation and logistics activities within DWC and its surrounding industrial Free Zones.