What FREIGHTWORKS does

FREIGHTWORKS (legal entity Dubai Express LLC, operating alongside Freightworks Logistics LLC) is a UAE-based international multimodal freight forwarder and logistics provider headquartered at Al Ramoul, Dubai, with owned-and-operated facilities across Dubai (Al Ramoul, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Logistics City / DWC, Mina Jebel Ali), Abu Dhabi, and Ajman. Founded in 1976 as Dubai Express, the company converted to an LLC in 1996 and has operated under the Freightworks brand since a 2000 joint venture with dnata/Emirates Group; since February 2019 it has been wholly owned by dnata (part of Emirates Group). It employs more than 300 staff and offers a comprehensive service portfolio spanning air freight, sea freight (NVOCC), road transport, customs brokerage, 3PL warehousing, 4PL supply chain management, project cargo, fine art handling, hotel logistics, events and exhibitions logistics, insurance (via AXA), commercial and household relocations under the MoveWorks brand, and a dedicated pet relocation service.

The company's underlying technology is conventional logistics infrastructure rather than a proprietary software platform: EDI-enabled warehouses with real-time stock-level updates, temperature-controlled bonded storage at Al Ramoul, a web-based Track & Trace system keyed by Job Number / Booking Number / HAWB Number / HBL Number, and integration with the Dubai Customs Smart Workplace Platform that compresses declaration processing time. Distribution is direct: specialized in-house service delivery teams at each facility, plus a global agent network accessed via memberships in WACO (90 countries), IAM (since 2006, 170+ countries), and IELA (since 2003).

The business model is predominantly transactional and professional-services based. Revenue is generated from freight forwarding margins on air/sea/road shipments (priced by weight or volumetric weight, container rates, or door-to-door), storage and handling fees for 3PL, managed-service retainers for 4PL supply chain work, customs clearance documentation fees, project-based relocation pricing (quoted after surveyor assessment), event and exhibition logistics fees, and insurance administration through AXA. Pricing is universally quote-based with no public rate card. GTM is direct sales-led for B2B enterprise and mid-market accounts, supplemented by online quote forms for self-serve SMB/consumer inquiries and a continuous referral stream from the parent Emirates Group as the 'preferred mover' for leavers and joiners.

Name

FREIGHTWORKS

Legal name

Dubai Express LLC

Website

https://freightworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

FREIGHTWORKS is a UAE-based international multimodal freight forwarder and logistics provider, wholly owned by dnata/Emirates Group, offering air/sea/road freight, 3PL/4PL, customs brokerage, project cargo, relocations (MoveWorks), fine art, and pet relocation to enterprise, mid-market, and consumer customers across the UAE and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Cargo Logistics & Transport Management (TLADAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD), Industrial Plants & Process Equipment (EPC/Turnkey Projects) (TLACAIAA), Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH)

Keywords

• International freight forwarding
• Customs brokerage services
• Warehousing and distribution
• Relocation logistics
• Project cargo handling

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Freight Forwarding Services: Revenue generated from air freight, sea freight, and road transport services. Charges are based on weight or volumetric weight, with options for airport-to-airport, port-to-port, and door-to-door delivery. The company acts as a freight forwarder, procuring carriage contracts on behalf of customers.
2. Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Warehousing and storage services including inventory management, order fulfillment, and distribution. Customers pay for storage duration and handling services.
3. Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL): End-to-end supply chain management services where Freightworks manages multiple logistics functions on behalf of clients, allowing principals to focus on core competencies.
4. Customs Brokerage: Customs clearance services as a UAE VAT-FTA approved Customs Clearance Company (Dubai Express LLC). Fees are charged for customs documentation handling and clearance.
5. Relocation Services: Domestic and international relocations including packing, loading, transportation, unpacking, and furniture installation. Revenue is project-based, quoted after surveyor assessment.
6. Project Cargo Logistics: Specialized logistics for large, heavy, high-value project cargo including heavy lift, charter services, and industrial packing.
7. Fine Art Handling: Specialized art logistics including custom crating, exhibition handling, and white-glove transportation for galleries, museums, and private collectors.
8. Pet Relocation Services: Pet transportation services including door-to-door export/import, customs clearance, and delivery, leveraging Emirates Group airline access for privileged rates.
9. Insurance Services: Freightworks arranges all-risk insurance coverage through AXA, including for domestic and office relocations, charging premiums or administration fees.
10. Events and Exhibitions Logistics: Full event and exhibition logistics including freight handling, liaising with exhibition organizers, stand construction, and transportation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Freightworks is an international multimodal freight forwarder and logistics provider operating primarily from the UAE. The company arranges air, sea, and road freight, operates 3PL/4PL warehousing, customs brokerage, project cargo, fine art handling, hotel logistics, events and exhibitions logistics, and household/commercial relocations (MoveWorks), along with dedicated pet relocation services.

Product overview

Freightworks is a logistics and freight forwarding company offering a comprehensive suite of services under a unified platform. The core offerings include 3PL and 4PL logistics, Air Freight, Sea Freight, Road Transport, and Customs Brokerage, supplemented by specialized services such as Fine Art handling, Hotel Logistics, Events & Exhibitions, Projects/Project Cargo, Insurance, and Relocations (operated under the MoveWorks brand). The company also offers Pet Relocation as a dedicated service. Multiple warehouse facilities support operations across Dubai (Al Ramoul, Jebel Ali, Cargo Village, DWC, North Warehouse), Ajman, and Abu Dhabi. All services integrate with the company's Track & Trace system for shipment visibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air Freight

Quantifiable outcome

• AEO certification reduces customs clearance time and provides inspection prioritization benefits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IAM (International Association of Movers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2006Freightworks has been a member of IAM since 2006. IAM is a global association of movers and forwarders with membership of over 2,000 companies from more than 170 countries and territories. IAM provides a global network for relocations services.
• IELA (International Exhibition Logistics Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2003Freightworks has been a member since 2003 of IELA, a worldwide trade association dedicated to enhancing professionalism in the transportation, logistics, and freight handling segments of the exhibition industry. Their long experience in handling exhibition shipments provides clients and partners peace of mind.
• WACO (World Air Cargo Organisation)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFreightworks is the UAE member of WACO, the foremost independent global freight management and logistics network. WACO provides access to members in 90 countries across 6 continents, 400+ locations, 21,000+ freight personnel handling over 1.85 million air shipments annually, with combined turnover exceeding $4 billion.
• AXA InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreightworks uses and recommends AXA Insurance for all insurance requirements. AXA provides Freightworks with a Combined Liability Certificate for both Employers and Public Liability, and Freightworks arranges all-risk insurance coverage for domestic and office relocations through AXA.
• The Home TeamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFreightworks exclusively uses The Home Team for all home maintenance requirements including AC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, painting, and decorating services. The Home Team provides professionally trained technicians with fully equipped fleet vans for 24/7 emergency cover.
• Thomas Homes RelocationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThomas Homes Relocation is Freightworks' recommended partner for multinational companies, families, and individuals planning a move to the UAE. They offer services from property search to settling into the new environment. Freightworks refers relocation customers to Thomas Homes for destination services.
• TransguardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreightworks liaises directly with Transguard (sister company within dnata/Emirates Group) for security transportation of high-value items during commercial relocations.
• Veterinary Clinics (Dubai)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFreightworks is partnered with some of Dubai's most well-regarded veterinary clinics who provide on-call veterinary assistance 24/7 for pet relocation services. Also works with local boarding kennels in the UAE and overseas for pet boarding.
• Gerson RelocationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerson Relocations is Freightworks' destination agent in certain markets (e.g., UK), handling delivery of goods. Mentioned in customer testimonials as providing delivery services with positive feedback on the quality of Freightworks' packing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DB Schenker: Global logistics provider with strong air/ocean freight forwarding and contract logistics capabilities, significant Middle East presence. Competes with Freightworks in enterprise freight forwarding.
• Agility Logistics: Kuwait-headquartered global logistics provider with strong Middle East freight forwarding, contract logistics and customs capabilities. Comparable regional incumbent.
• Expeditors International: Major global asset-light freight forwarder with air and ocean services, including Middle East operations. Comparable on air/sea freight forwarding business model.
• DHL Global Forwarding: World's largest air and ocean freight forwarder, part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, with extensive UAE presence. Direct competitor in air/sea freight forwarding and customs brokerage but operates at much larger scale.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Top-tier global freight forwarder with strong Middle East operations covering air, sea, road freight, contract logistics and customs. Overlaps with Freightworks in multimodal forwarding and project cargo.

Direct peers

• GAC (Gulf Agency Company): UAE-founded global logistics provider with deep Middle East roots in freight forwarding, contract logistics, marine services and project cargo. Highly comparable regional peer with similar service breadth.
• Crown Relocations: Global relocation specialist with Middle East presence handling international household moves, corporate relocations and records management. Comparable to Freightworks' MoveWorks.
• Aramex: UAE-headquartered global logistics company offering freight forwarding, courier, warehousing and supply chain services across the Middle East and internationally. Closest regional direct peer to Freightworks in scope and geography.
• Allied Pickfords: International moving and relocation company with Middle East operations serving corporate and private clients. Comparable to Freightworks' international relocations business.
• MoveOne Relocations: UAE-headquartered international relocation and moving company serving corporate and individual clients. Direct peer to Freightworks' MoveWorks relocations division.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 FREIGHTWORKS