DJIBOUTI. Dubai-based Indu World International, a division of Indu Maritime & Logistics, has struck a five-year deal to operate a new seaport duty free shop in Djibouti.
The contract for the 20sqm unit (the size of which can be increased over time) begins on 1 October. The categories on offer will include liquor, beer, tobacco, confectionery, fragrances, gift items and apparel.
The company, which already operates the duty free concession at Djibouti Airport, will operate the concession on behalf of port terminal owner and operator DP World.
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Indu Maritime & Logistics company Chairman Kishore Lakhani (seated) with Business Development Director Vishvesh Lakhani |
Business Development Director Vishvesh Lakhani told The Moodie Report: “We have signed a five-year renewable contract for the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) in Djibouti, which is owned and managed by the leading terminal operator DP World. We are authorised to sell to both truck drivers and vessel crew. Ethiopia being a land-locked country receives a large portion of its imports via DCT. There are approximately 500 to 600 trucks going to Ethiopia every day from Djibouti.”
He added: “We expect majority of the [seaport] sales to come from liquor, and general FMCG toiletries, since these are very expensive in the local market.”
In addition to its seaport and airport activities, Indu Maritime & Logistics supplies some duty free goods to foreign military stationed in Djibouti. Lakhani said: “Djibouti is currently a major base for various navies, such as the Americans, French, Germans and Japanese. We work with some of these bases to supply them with their duty free requirements including beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), chocolates and gift items.”
The family company was created in 1986 and spans a number of activities, with the core business third party logistics. “Our duty free division is fairly new,” said Lakhani. “But with our strong network and capabilities in the logistics field, brands are keen to work with us.
“We have over 100,000 sq ft of our own warehousing space in Jebel Ali, which gives us an advantage to effectively and efficiently tackle the high logistics costs involved in selling perishables such as confectionery into the African continent. The sheer volume our parent company pulls gives us great rates with cargo airlines and vessels. This is advantageous to us not only as an operator but is beneficial to the brands we work with. We can provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for selling perishables into the African travel retail market.”
Lakhani said: “Our future plans include expanding our portfolio by setting up more duty free stores in the African continent, covering not only airport and seaport but diplomatic as well.”
The Indu World International team will be in Cannes in October. Vishvesh Lakhani can be reached at
vishvesh.lakhani@indulogistics.com or mobile number: +971 561704430
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The seaport store is located at the Doraleh Container Terminal in Djibouti, which is owned and managed by leading terminal operator DP World |
