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Gruber Logistics expands with first Middle East officeGruber Logistics expands with first Middle East office

New Dubai office to serve as regional hub with a focus on project cargo, air and sea freight.

Gary Howard, Middle East correspondent

October 16, 2024

2 Min Read
Image: Gruber Logistics

Gruber Logistics has opened a new office in Dubai to develop its existing business relationship and reach new customers and clients across the UAE and its neighbouring countries.

The company’s first Middle East location adds to its branches across Europe and Asia, and will be led by Carsten Sommer, Executive Director Business Unit Project Cargo, Air & Ocean, and Samar Helmy, Director Business Unit Project Cargo, Air & Ocean. Harvard-educated Helmy has almost 20 years experience in the logistics sector and is the first woman of Arab origin to hold an executive position in one of Europe’s leading logistics companies, Gruber claimed.

The office has been open for just over a month and the two managing directors are expanding headcount through the end of the year to support planned growth. Serving as a central hub for Gruber in the Middle East, the Dubai office will initially focus on project cargo and air and sea freight transportation, with a view to expanding to Gruber’s full service offering in the future.

“With our local presence in Dubai, we are anchoring our innovative logistics services even more firmly in this region. In this dynamic economic region, there is a strong focus on digitalisation and sustainability, and we are very capable in meeting these client requirements because we have been playing a pioneering role in these topics for years,” said Helmy.

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The company recently completed the start-up phase of its office in Türkiye and is beginning a market development and team expansion phase under Branch Manager Rifat Cicek. Gruber also recently deployed its first full electric truck in Liepzig, powered by renewable energy.

Gruber logistics has around 2,250 employees and was founded in 1936 in Ora, Italy. Now run by a third generation of the Gruber family, the company has over 60 offices in 15 countries with services across full loads, part loads, special transports, logistics, and industrial relocations, as well as the project, air and sea transportation that the new office will offer.

The company serves industries including steel, automotive, chemicals, food, and paper.

About the Author

Gary Howard

Middle East correspondent

Gary Howard is the Middle East Correspondent for Seatrade Maritime News and has written for Seatrade Cruise, Seatrade Maritime Review and was News Editor at Lloyd’s List. Gary’s maritime career started after catching the shipping bug during a research assignment for the offshore industry. Working out of Seatrade's head office in the UK, he also produces and contributes to conference programmes for Seatrade events including CMA Shipping, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East and Marintec. 

Gary’s favourite topics within the maritime industry are decarbonisation and wind-assisted propulsion; he particularly enjoys reporting from industry events.

Conferences & Webinars

Gary Howard regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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