Press Release Content

Under the slogan ‘we travel naturally', DHL has today announced its plans to add compressed natural gas powered vans (CNGs) to its UAE express delivery fleet, leading the efforts in the country towards alternative fuel vehicles.

With natural gas continuing to develop as an alternative fuel of choice, and a forecast of 20% natural gas share of road traffic fuel consumption in the UAE by 2012, the express and logistics leader is putting two environmentally-friendly units through a pilot testing phase as part of a plan to expand its UAE natural gas fleet in the coming years.

DHL UAE General Manager, Janet Jweihan commented: "We are the first company in the UAE express industry to put these types of vehicles on the road throughout the testing phase as part of the normal delivery fleet. It's our intention to make our business as safe on the environment as possible and we are committed to operating in an environmentally sound manner. We will endeavor to ensure natural gas vehicles account for at least 50 percent of DHL express delivery fleet in the UAE by 2009 after the testing phase reaches it's outlined goals."

DHL UAE was recently upgraded to ISO 14001 accreditation, the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), after continuous extensive improvements. Developments included advanced staff training to raise environmental awareness, as well as publishing DHL's environmental policy as part of the parent company DPWN's first sustainability report in June 2006, setting clear environmental objectives and targets.

Gasoline and diesel powered vehicles contribute to 80% of environment pollution in the UAE followed by factories, a recent study conducted by the Strategic Planning Department for Transport at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai revealed.

"Particulates in regular engine emissions are believed to cause serious health problems. Thus, in the long run, CNGs will help reduce the UAE's transportation sector emissions in specific and support a better environment in general," Jweihan added.

Given its availability, natural gas has become the environmentally friendly transportation technology of choice globally and a number of factors make express delivery fleet vehicles the prime target for this increasingly sought-after energy source. With air quality a concern for all, CNGs are cleaner than conventional vehicles, more cost efficient in terms of operations and much quieter. In addition, they contribute to the reduction in pollution by particles with a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The testing phase units have been transformed from diesel operating vans into natural gas ones by Al Naboodah Automobiles.

Notes and contacts

About DHL

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.

DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than 60bn euros in 2006.

LATEST PRESS RELEASES