DHL Express, the world’s leading logistics company, showcased its leading edge security and satellite systems to a delegation of visiting Senior Customs Officials from the GCC. The visit took place at the DHL Regional Distribution Centre in Bahrain, DHL’s largest distribution centre in the Middle East.
“Customs plays a crucial role in maintaining security which is of utmost priority at DHL. We were the first express and Logistics Company in the region to receive full scores on the global TAPA ‘A’ certification and continue to invest in leading edge technology. We are delighted to host our customs colleagues from the region to share industry best practices and enhance cross-border exchange,” said Garry Kemp, Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, DHL Express.
Customs officials had the opportunity to witness first-hand the DHL Middle East Road Network Satellite System based the DHL Regional Distribution Centre in Manama. The 24/7 facility tracks the movement of all DHL shipments on the Middle East Road Network which spans 12 countries in the region through its fleet of 110 GPS equipped vehicles.
In addition to the Middle East Road Network Satellite System, the DHL Regional Distribution center also houses its state-of-the-art 24/7 facility which monitors flight uplift/landing time in real time, enabling DHL to proactively notify customers in the event of flight delays or cancellations.
As the consolidation and distribution centre covering 12 countries across the region, the DHL Express Bahrain Gateway is also equipped with a comprehensive CCTV system with 120 cameras, 10 Digital Video Recorders, nine x-ray machines and an access control system to monitor package transfer points throughout the facility.
“Our commitment to security is not limited to the hardware. At the DHL Bahrain Gateway, we employ over 50 security professionals, many of whom have had over ten years experience in law enforcement agencies. These security professionals oversee many aspects of our operations within the hub – the mail distribution centre, operations, trucking facility and the aviation hangar,” said Bachi Spiga, Head of Operations, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), DHL Express.
The visiting officials were also briefed on the company’s dominant air and road fleet based in Bahrain through its Regional Aviation Office for Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA).
DHL Express Bahrain achieved the maximum score in the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) security audit. With a 100% score, DHL’s regional distribution centre in Bahrain continues the company’s outstanding TAPA certification history in the Middle East, which started in 2006 when DHL Express Bahrain became the first express and logistics company in the region to receive the certification.