dnata to invest $223mn to set up automated cargo center at Amsterdam

dnata Cargo Facility image
Representational image
By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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One of the world’s leading air services providers, the Dubai National Air Transport Association (dnata), has planned over a $223 million investment in a fully automated cargo center, dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).

dnata Cargo City Amsterdam will substantially increase cargo capacity in the Netherlands while also providing new direct jobs with dnata. It will allow dnata and its customers to expand their operations and business while strengthening the local economy and trade.

The 61,000 sqm facility, which will be located at Schiphol South-East, will include an additional 19,000 sqm of storage space and will be capable of processing over 850,000 tonnes of cargo each year. It will meet the highest industry standards for efficient and safe cargo handling, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, mail, live animals, aircraft engines, and vehicles. The facility is scheduled to become operational in 2024.

dnata Cargo City Amsterdam will be developed by Schiphol Commercial Real Estate and equipped by Lödige Industries with cutting-edge technologies. The project is Schiphol Real Estate’s largest ever commercial property development at AMS. Furthermore, the project will earn BREEAM excellent certification for the sustainability and eco-friendly design of the facility.

David Barker
David Barker
Divisional Senior VP
Airport Operations
dnata

“dnata Cargo City Amsterdam will be a game-changer in the regional cargo industry, delivering significant commercial benefits for our partners, their customers and the local economy. We continue to invest in infrastructure, equipment and cutting-edge technologies with a clear focus on sustainability to further enhance our offering and offset our carbon footprint across our global network.”

Over the past years, dnata has continued to make strategic investments in its operations to further enhance its service offering including the opening of new, state-of-the-art cargo facilities in Manchester (UK), Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan), and additional cargo capacity and infrastructure in Brussels (Belgium), Sydney (Australia) and Toronto (Canada). In addition, this March dnata will open the second phase of the dnata City East project at London Heathrow (UK).

It currently operates 29 airlines at AMS, offering passenger, ground handling, and cargo services. A customer-centric team of 1,000 aviation professionals in the Netherlands assists over 1.5 million passengers annually, ensures the smooth operation of 8,000 flights, and handles 580,000 tons of cargo.

Mr. Jan Willem Weissink, Managing Director, Schiphol Commercial, said that “Together with dnata and other partners, Schiphol is working on a highly successful, efficient and sustainable cargo operation. We are delighted to have started the construction of dnata Cargo City Amsterdam for one of our most important partners in the cargo operation at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.”

dnata Cargo City Amsterdam will be equipped with two separate automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), for import and export with twelve stacker cranes. A total of up to 2,500 pallets will be stored here. In addition, separate storage for unit load devices (ULDs) will be serviced by four elevating transport vehicles (ETV).

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