Dubai is the logistics capital of the Middle East, the world's busiest re-export hub, home to DP World and JAFZA, and the air freight gateway between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Corvian Advisory provides specialist M&A advisory and independent valuation for UAE logistics businesses: freight forwarders, 3PL providers, last-mile delivery companies, cold chain operators, customs brokers, and supply chain technology platforms. CFA-led. Fixed fee.
Logistics M&A in the UAE requires understanding JAFZA licensing, asset-vs-asset-light valuation frameworks, and an acquirer universe spanning global logistics groups, GCC PE, and e-commerce platforms building last-mile capability.
Full sell-side advisory for freight forwarders, 3PLs, last-mile operators, and customs brokers, independent valuation, CIM with logistics KPIs, buyer outreach to global logistics groups and PE, through to close.
EV/EBITDA benchmarking (4x–9x for UAE logistics depending on asset-heavy vs asset-light), DCF, and NAV. Key drivers: contract book, customer concentration, asset base, and JAFZA/free zone licence premium.
Target identification, independent valuation, free zone licence due diligence, asset verification, financial due diligence, and deal structuring for buyers seeking UAE logistics exposure.
Specialist M&A and valuation for UAE last-mile delivery, returns management, and e-commerce fulfilment businesses, growing acquirer universe of e-commerce platforms, global express carriers, and GCC PE.
Revenue quality by customer and lane, contract tenure and renewal review, fleet and asset condition assessment, fuel cost normalisation, and JAFZA licence compliance.
M&A and ARR-based valuation for UAE supply chain SaaS, TMS, WMS, and customs automation platforms, growing acquirer interest from logistics groups and global supply chain software firms.
Logistics deals in the UAE have regulatory, structural, and commercial nuances, JAFZA premiums, asset-light multiples, global acquirer dynamics, that a generalist M&A advisor will miss.
JAFZA licences carry a significant premium in logistics M&A, acquirers pay for regulatory access, customs facilitation, and Jebel Ali Port proximity. A JAFZA-based business is a materially different asset to an equivalent mainland business.
Asset-light logistics businesses (freight forwarders, customs brokers, 3PLs with leased warehousing) consistently trade at higher EBITDA multiples than asset-heavy operators. The market pays for capital-efficient, scalable businesses with sticky contracts.
DP World, Agility, Aramex, DSV, DB Schenker, DHL, and Maersk are all active acquirers building Middle East networks. Positioning for these strategic buyers captures a significant premium over PE-priced exits.
UAE logistics businesses are frequently over-concentrated in 2–3 anchor customers representing 50–70% of revenue. Acquirers aggressively discount for concentration risk. Founders should show a diversification track record over 24–36 months before selling.
UAE e-commerce penetration is among the highest in MENA, creating a new category of high-growth last-mile logistics businesses commanding technology-sector-like multiples.
UAE cold chain logistics, food distribution, pharmaceutical cold chain, temperature-controlled warehousing, has higher barriers to entry, longer contracts, and premium EBITDA multiples vs ambient logistics.
CFA-led M&A advisory and independent valuation for UAE logistics, freight, and supply chain businesses. Fixed fee. JAFZA and free zone expertise included.