DSV's new logistics facility in Durban delivers world-class supply chain solutions

DSV Park | Durban is ideally situated in Riverhorse Valley, Durban, and is adjacent to major road networks with easy access to the Durban Port and King Shaka International Airport.

The commissioning of DSV Park | Durban follows DSV Park | Cape Town, adjacent to Cape Town International Airport, and the regional headquarters at DSV Park | Gauteng, situated between OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria. The investment of R4,6 billion in the three facilities reflects DSV's commitment to meeting South Africa's growing warehousing and distribution needs.

The centralised facility in Durban is aligned with DSV's global strategy of consolidating office and warehouse space, and brings together its three divisions - Road, Air & Sea, Solutions - under one roof. The facility includes 37 447m² of warehouse space, 2 400m² of office space, and more than 350 parking bays.

DSV Air & Sea MD Melanie Smit said 80% of DSV's ocean freight came through Durban Port, so it made "absolute sense" to centralise DSV in a strategically located, world class facility where "we can collaborate with each other and leverage of strengths within each business unit". Smit said the facility not only incorporated best practice in environmental sustainability and business continuity, but was structured to deliver innovative thinking and robust supply solutions.

DSV Road MD Ralton Moses said the region had experienced natural disasters and political crises in recent years and the new facility "showed we are in the province for the long run, for our people and for the businesses we serve".

Moses said the significant investment in technology and automation - such as the automated conveyer system and sortation system - had boosted productivity by more than 30% and accuracy levels were at 99.9%.

Moses said the facility was accredited by the Green Council of South Africa, "meaning that we have cut out more than 20% of the carbon emissions from the facility". The facility's water tanks and borehole water provided backup to regular water supplies, and generators as well as solar energy panels were in the pipeline. Various initiatives create jobs for people from the community, such as the truck wash.

DSV Solutions-Healthcare MD Anthony Diack said the investment in the new facility demonstrated DSV's "long term commitment" to clients, the market and the country, and a single facility offered synergies to both DSV and clients. "From a healthcare compliance perspective, we've built an ambient temperature zone or the distribution and storage of pharmaceuticals, much larger than we had before".

DSV Solutions MD Johan Dekker said DSV's new facilities were built around sustainability requirements and regulations. "They are energy efficient, consume less electricity, and have solar and battery energy solutions. Our total consumption carbon footprint per pallet, per movement is going to drop dramatically", he said. 

Dekker said the new facility also underlined DSV's commitment to delivering innovative logistics solutions, the same standards of service, business continuity, sustainability, efficiency, productivity and digital solutions to customers across the country.