DUBAI: The Gulf emirate of Dubai, home to the biggest port in the Middle East, on Monday opened a Dubai Logistics Corridor aimed at easing the flow of shipments between sea and air ports in the trade hub. The new facility links Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone, which is home to 6,500 companies, with Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport, it said in a statement. The main aim is “the improvement in the flow of sea-to-air cargo by eliminating the processes of exit and entry from one zone to another,” said Salma Hareb, head of Dubai Logistics Corridor. “Additionally, there will be a potential elimination of double customs inspection,” she added. DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport – touted to be the world's largest when completed – opened for cargo in June and is expected to receive passenger traffic in March with a preliminary capacity of five million passengers a year. It is part of an ambitious 32-billion-dollar DWC development spread over 140 square kilometers (87 square miles) and planned as an urban aviation community, complete with a free zone, a logistics city and real estate developments. DWC sits close to Jebel Ali port which is the world's sixth-largest container terminal. Dubai free zone and customs warehouse trade accounted for more than 35 percent of the emirate's total trading volume in 2009 that amounted to 754.1 billion dirhams (205.5 billion dollars), according to government statistics. – Agence France
