What Freight Systems does

Freight Systems is a privately held, family-owned global logistics solutions provider founded in Dubai in October 1988 by David Phillips and now led into its second generation by Jonathan Phillips and Amanda Phillips. The company operates as an integrated freight forwarder and 3PL, anchored by an LCL consolidation franchise that it pioneered from the Middle East in March 1990 — a heritage business still serving 350+ destinations today. Service coverage spans sea freight (LCL/FCL), air freight, road freight, sea-air multimodal, customs clearance, contract logistics, project cargo, fine arts logistics, perishable/cold-chain, relocations (Interem), and e-commerce fulfillment (FSL Shop Easy), executed through 43+ offices across 13 countries on six continents and a network of exclusive carrier partnerships.

The company's revenue mechanics mix transaction-based freight forwarding (rates vary by mode, route, weight, and volume), unit-priced 3PL warehousing (per pallet location, monthly cadence), and managed-services revenue from e-commerce fulfillment and relocations. Pricing is quote-driven for core freight and supplemented by an instant E-Quote digital pricing tool; customers are acquired via direct enterprise sales in 13 owned countries plus an exclusive partnership network extending global coverage. Customer mix is broad: named enterprise segments include automotive aftermarket, temperature-sensitive retail/pharma, e-commerce brands, art galleries/museums, and perishable goods importers — supported by 3+ million sq ft of owned and operated warehouse space including a flagship AED 42M Dubai South facility (40,000 pallet positions, 5,000 sq mt cold storage) and a Mumbai regional hub (~200 employees).

The technology stack is proprietary and operational rather than AI-driven: FRESCON is a Purchase Order Management System enabling online booking, document access, and a customer-side search by PO numbers; E-Quote provides instant freight quotations across air/sea modes; STOCKPACK is a bar-code-driven WMS with web-based inventory transparency for 3PL customers, integrated with Oracle. The platform is positioned as a customer-facing self-service layer rather than an external developer platform — no public API or SDK is offered. Certification footprint includes AEO, TAPA, FAIM ISO (Interem), ISO, EDGE/GEM warehouse certifications, and GDPR/CCPA-aligned privacy controls, supporting enterprise procurement requirements.

Name

Freight Systems

Legal name

Freight Systems

Website

https://freightsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Freight Systems is a Dubai-headquartered, family-owned global logistics company founded in 1988, operating 43+ offices across 13 countries. It provides integrated freight forwarding (LCL, FCL, air, multimodal), 3PL warehousing, customs clearance, and e-commerce fulfillment to enterprise and mid-market shippers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• International logistics solutions
• Contract logistics warehousing
• Customs clearance brokerage
• Multimodal transport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices42 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Freight Forwarding Services: Core revenue stream from international freight forwarding including sea freight (LCL/FCL), air freight, and multimodal transport. Services include customs clearance, door-to-door delivery, and cargo insurance.
2. Contract Logistics and Warehousing: Third-party logistics (3PL) services through LogEx division offering supply chain solutions including warehousing, distribution, and inventory management. Revenue based on storage space utilized and handling throughput.
3. E-Commerce Fulfillment: FSL Shop Easy division provides e-commerce solutions including fulfillment, inventory management, customs clearance, and marketplace account management. Regional distribution hub serves UAE, GCC, and North Africa.
4. Relocation Services: Interem division handles international home and office relocations including packing, transportation, customs formalities, and installation services.
5. Fine Arts Logistics: Specialized logistics for art galleries, museums, and private collectors including transportation, temperature-controlled storage, packing/crating, and exhibition services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Freight Systems is an integrated global logistics provider offering international freight forwarding (LCL/FCL consolidation, air freight, sea-air and multimodal transport), customs brokerage, contract logistics and 3PL warehousing, project cargo handling, e-commerce fulfillment, fine arts logistics, perishable/cold-chain logistics, and international relocations. It operates more than 43 offices across 13 countries and serves customers in over 30 countries through direct sales, exclusive agency partnerships, and proprietary digital platforms (FRESCON, E-Quote).

Product overview

Freight Systems is a global logistics company founded in the UAE in October 1988, operating as an integrated freight forwarding and supply chain management provider across 13 countries and six continents. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services anchored by its core freight forwarding operations (LCL consolidation, FCL, air freight, sea-air multimodal, customs clearance) supplemented by specialized divisions including Fine Arts Logistics, Perishable Logistics, Project Cargo, and Relocations (via Interem). Its technology portfolio includes FRESCON (proprietary PO management and shipment tracking platform), E-Quote (online freight quotation tool), and FSL Shop Easy (e-commerce fulfillment sub-brand). Contract logistics operations under the LogEx division provide third-party warehousing and distribution with over 3 million square feet of space. The company is led by second-generation family management (Jonathan Phillips and Amanda Phillips) and maintains over 43 offices globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FRESCON: Digital logistics software and Purchase Order Management System (POMS) developed by Freight Systems, enabling customers to quote, book, and track shipments online.
• LogEx
• Interem

Products and services

• LCL Freight (Less than Container Load) Less than Container Load consolidation services enabling shippers with smaller cargo volumes to share container space at reduced cost, with coverage to 350+ destinations globally.
• FCL Freight (Full Container Load) Full Container Load services offering complete control over shipments with reduced risk of damage, operating across global trade lanes.
• Air Freight

Quantifiable outcome

• LCL consolidation to 350+ destinations globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rotterdam Operators (European Distribution Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 1990Partnership with Rotterdam operators established in March 1990 for European distribution and transatlantic transshipment to Americas. This partnership enabled Freight Systems' first LCL consolidation box to Rotterdam and established the company's dominance in Middle East and India LCL business over the next decade.
• Prime Carriers (Air Freight Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliances with leading carriers across all major commercial destinations for air freight services, enabling competitive rates and fixed schedules for time-critical shipments.
• Liner and Break Bulk OperatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood rapport with liners and break bulk operators supporting project cargo services and competitive service offerings.
• Concord LogisticsminorOthersRelated entity (concord-logistics.com) mentioned in company ecosystem.
• Interem (International Removals Division)minorOthersInternational removals division operating from Freight Systems' corporate office in Dubai, expanded to Kuwait, Doha, and major Indian cities.
• LogEx (Contract Logistics Division)minorOthersContract logistics division offering 3PL solutions under the LogEx brand.
• GGL LineminorOthersRelated entity (gglline.com) mentioned in company ecosystem.
• Newage GlobalminorOthersRelated entity (newage-global.com) mentioned in company ecosystem.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Agility Logistics: Kuwait-headquartered global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with strong Middle East and Africa footprint. Directly comparable as a regional-anchored, multi-modal forwarder competing for the same enterprise accounts across the Gulf and South Asia.
• Aramex: Dubai-based listed logistics company with international freight forwarding, courier, and e-commerce fulfillment. Direct UAE-based peer competing on the same Dubai South / GCC corridor and overlapping in contract logistics.
• GAC Group: Middle East-origin global shipping, logistics, and marine services provider with deep Gulf presence and ship-agency heritage. Directly comparable in freight forwarding, LCL/FCL, project cargo, and offshore logistics to enterprise customers.
• Kerry Logistics Network: Hong Kong-headquartered Asian logistics group with international freight forwarding, warehousing, and e-commerce fulfillment across Asia. Comparable as a regional-anchored forwarder scaling into e-commerce and contract logistics from a strong Asian base, similar to Freight Systems' Gulf/South Asia franchise.

Broad incumbents

• Kuehne+Nagel: Swiss-headquartered global freight forwarder and contract logistics leader; one of the world's largest ocean and air forwarders. Broad incumbent whose global scale and IT platforms pressure mid-sized regional forwarders like Freight Systems on enterprise RFQs.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Division of Deutsche Post DHL offering global air, ocean, and road freight forwarding plus customs and supply chain services. Broad incumbent with unmatched global network, setting the benchmark against which regional forwarders compete.
• DSV: Danish global freight forwarder with strong air and sea forwarding and contract logistics; active M&A roll-up strategy. Broad incumbent that has consolidated many regional forwarders, raising competitive intensity for mid-sized players.
• DB Schenker: German global logistics provider offering land, air, ocean, and contract logistics. Broad incumbent competing across the same multimodal lanes and contract-logistics segments as Freight Systems, with greater scale and rail-integrated European footprint.
• Expeditors International: US-listed global logistics company focused on air and ocean freight forwarding with proprietary IT. Broad incumbent whose asset-light, technology-driven model competes for the same enterprise forwarding wallet.
• CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL and freight management provider (CMA CGM group) offering contract logistics, ocean, and air forwarding. Broad incumbent that competes head-to-head in contract logistics and freight forwarding, especially with shippers needing integrated global solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freight-systems
• Instagraminstagram.com/freightsystems.logistics
• Xx.com/frtsystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/freightsystems

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freight Systems