DP World continues freight forwarding expansion path

DP World has continued its expansion in Latin America with the opening of a new freight forwarding office in Panama City, Panama. This is in line with the company’s plan unveiled earlier this year to open more than 100 freight forwarding offices worldwide.

The Panama City office provides a range of freight forwarding services, including ocean freight, air freight, customs clearance, warehousing, multimodal transportation, and insurance. DP World said it aims to leverage its global infrastructure to streamline supply chains, enhance cargo visibility, and improve efficiency.

“Panama’s strategic position at the crossroads of global trade makes it an ideal location for expanding our freight forwarding operations. This office will enable DP World to offer our customers in Panama and throughout Latin America more comprehensive logistics solutions that address the complexities of modern supply chains,” Morten Johansen, COO of DP World Americas, said. “We’re excited to leverage our global reach to provide tailored, efficient services to local industries such as retail, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and industrial sectors.”

Panama’s strategic position, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has established it as a vital centre for global commerce. The nation’s sophisticated logistics infrastructure, featuring seaports, airports, and interoceanic railways, offers DP World access to worldwide markets.

Terry Donohoe, Senior Vice President, Freight Forwarding, DP World Americas, said, “Our Panama City office not only expands DP World’s operational footprint but also enhances our ability to deliver solutions that support local businesses. From traditional air, ocean and customs brokerage solutions to more specialized service offerings like temperature-controlled shipping for perishables to project cargo handling, we are equipped to meet the diverse needs of the Panamanian market.”

At the end of July, the company opened 51 new freight forwarding offices throughout the Asia Pacific (APAC). The enhanced network emphasizes both air and ocean freight services. APAC represents the largest opportunity for businesses to leverage. This region is the biggest and most rapidly expanding globally for outsourced logistics, and it is expected to generate 40 percent of global revenues for contract logistics services by 2027. Additionally, it is currently the fastest-growing area worldwide for both exports and imports, with growth exceeding 5 percent each.

“Global trade is in the midst of an unprecedented era of flux in the face of growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. We have an opportunity to help businesses navigate increasingly complex supply chains, as they seek enhanced market access and streamlined but resilient logistics from factory floor to customer door,” Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World, said. “With our expanded regional freight forwarding network backed by decades of experience in managing ports and terminals, our customers can count on us to support them in achieving their growth ambitions.”