SDV, Dnata, Kanoo establish UAE logistics joint venture

Three companies, SDV International Logistics, Dnata Cargo and the Kanoo Group, have joined forces to establish what they say will become one of the United Arab Emirates largest logistics services providers.

The joint venture, SDV-UAE LLC, will be 49 percent owned by France's SDV and 51 percent equally owned by Bahrain's Kanoo and Dubai-based Dnata.

SDV-UAE will be run by a board of directors comprising Jean Pierre De Pauw from Dnata, Mishal Kanoo from Kanoo and SDV's Herbert de St Simon and Tony Stenning.

The new company will have exclusive access to SDV's worldwide network of offices, which the French firm said would make the joint venture well placed to service projects and multinational contracts. The addition of Dubai to SDV's worldwide network will also mean SDV can take advantage of the largely untapped African market, SDV added.

We have been looking at having a permanent presence in Dubai for a few years now, said Herbert de St Simon from SDV. It was one of the few strong cargo hubs around the world in which we did not have a presence. We already know this market well, having done business here through FreightWorks for the last 12 years and now look forward to being here in partnership with Dnata and Kanoo as SDV-UAE.

Mishal Kanoo said: Dnata and Kanoo have enjoyed working together for a number of years under the Dubai Express-FreightWorks banner. The formation of SDV-UAE allows us to move onto a new level and we are looking forward to taking our partnership forward into this very promising international dimension.

Gary Chapman, president of Dnata, who signed the agreement on behalf of his company, said: This move is great news for the UAE. SDV is one of the biggest logistics companies in the world and the fact that they are keen to move into the market in this region is testament to the growth and success of Dubai as a transport hub.

Source: American Shipper