Dubai South Opens 37,000-Square-Meter Iron Mountain Warehouse Facility for Unilever

Dubai South has announced the opening of Iron Mountain's first warehousing and logistics facility in the UAE, a 37,000-square-meter site in the EZDubai Logistics Hub that consolidates Unilever's warehousing and fulfillment activities across its divisions.

Dubai South describes itself as the largest single-urban master development focused on aviation, logistics and real estate. The facility, equivalent to approximately 398,264 square feet, is operated by Iron Mountain, which Dubai South characterized as a global leader in information management services, including warehousing and logistics solutions.

Iron Mountain Facility at Dubai South: Scope and Services

Iron Mountain serves as Unilever's logistics service provider at the site. Beyond storage and fulfillment, the company will deliver value-added services, including co-packing and product set assembly. The operation also consolidates bonded and non-bonded warehousing, which the announcement said is intended to drive greater supply-chain efficiency and coordination.

The facility will use drone technology, automated robotic inventory counting and advanced automation to optimize performance, according to Dubai South.

Executive Comments on the Opening

Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of EZDubai Logistics Hub, said: "We are pleased to welcome Iron Mountain's first warehousing and logistics operation in the UAE to Dubai South. The facility brings together services that support Unilever's supply chain and adds to the range of logistics capabilities available within our ecosystem. We remain committed to supporting businesses as they establish and expand their operations, providing an entire integrated ecosystem that meets their evolving logistics requirements."

Ako Djaf, Managing Director, Warehousing & Logistics – MENAT / APAC at Iron Mountain, said: "The opening of our first warehousing and logistics facility in the UAE marks an important milestone in the development of Iron Mountain's Warehousing & Logistics business in the region. As trusted guardians of what matters most to our customers, we're committed to helping companies, like Unilever, unlock what's possible for their business through innovative, high-efficiency logistics solutions."

Djaf added: "We are proud to support Unilever with an integrated operation that combines warehousing, fulfilment and value-added services, while introducing innovative technologies to further enhance efficiency and inventory visibility. Dubai South provides an excellent platform for this operation, with its strategic location and strong connectivity to the region's key logistics gateways. We look forward to further developing our Warehousing & Logistics capabilities in the UAE and across the wider region."

EZDubai Logistics Hub Location and Connectivity

The EZDubai Logistics Hub at Dubai South provides companies with direct access to Jebel Ali Port through a bonded logistics corridor. It is also positioned in proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport, enabling multimodal connectivity between air, sea and road. Dubai South said the district offers infrastructure and services designed to support companies across logistics, e-commerce, retail and other sectors as they expand regional and international operations.

Bonded infrastructure can support goods moving through the UAE without immediate domestic customs clearance, while proximity to port and airport gateways can reduce transfer times between inbound shipments, storage and onward distribution.

Iron Mountain's Scale and Strategy

The facility marks Iron Mountain's entry into UAE warehousing and logistics operations. The company reported 2025 revenue of approximately $6.90 billion, up 12.2% from 2024, with storage-rental revenue increasing 10.1% and service revenue increasing 15.5%. Its global real estate footprint exceeds 98 million square feet.

Dubai Warehouse Market Context

The opening comes amid tight conditions for modern warehouse space in the UAE. Dubai warehouse rents averaged approximately Dh50 per square foot in the third quarter of 2026, up 5.9% year over year, while warehouses across the UAE were described as near full occupancy. The principal market constraint is the limited availability of modern, well-located logistics facilities, particularly in established Dubai industrial zones.

Another market report found that warehouse renewals rose 21.6% in the first half of 2026, while rents increased 12.4% and new warehouse contracts fell 51.8% year over year. The pattern suggests that occupiers are retaining existing space because replacement capacity is difficult or expensive to secure. The market has also moved toward large-format, pre-committed or built-to-suit logistics projects rather than speculative space.

Implications for Dubai South, Iron Mountain and Unilever

For Dubai South, the opening adds a large, technology-enabled distribution operation to the EZDubai Logistics Hub. For Iron Mountain, the facility broadens its Middle East and Asia-Pacific warehousing platform beyond its traditional information-management identity. For Unilever, consolidation under one operator may reduce network complexity and improve inventory visibility across divisions.

Sources

• Dubai South: Dubai South Announces Opening of Iron Mountain's First Warehousing and Logistics Facility in the UAE