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M&A Advisory for Logistics & Supply Chain
Companies in the UAE

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.

JAFZA Free Zone Expertise
Logistics KPI Valuation Models
CFA Charterholder-Led
Fixed Fee
Logistics M&A UAE Freight Company Valuation Dubai 3PL M&A GCC Supply Chain Company Sale UAE JAFZA Business Sale Last Mile Delivery M&A Customs Broker UAE M&A
Discuss Your Logistics Business Business Valuation UAE
10%
UAE handles 10% of global sea freight transshipment
JAFZA
World's largest free zone by trade value
CFA-Led
Principal-led from first call
Fixed Fee
Scope agreed before work begins
What We Do

M&A & Valuation Services for UAE Logistics

Logistics M&A in the UAE requires understanding JAFZA licensing, asset-vs-asset-light valuation frameworks, and an acquirer universe that spans global logistics groups, GCC PE, and e-commerce platforms building last-mile capability. We cover all of it.

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Logistics Sell-Side Advisory

Full sell-side advisory for freight forwarders, 3PLs, last-mile operators, and customs brokers — independent valuation, CIM with logistics KPIs (TEU volume, warehouse sqm, lane revenue, customer concentration), buyer outreach to global logistics groups and PE, through to close.

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Logistics Business Valuation

EV/EBITDA benchmarking (4x–9x for UAE logistics depending on asset-heavy vs asset-light), DCF, and NAV. Key value drivers assessed: contract book, customer concentration, asset base (owned fleet/warehouse vs leased), and JAFZA/free zone licence premium.

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Buy-Side — Acquiring UAE Logistics Assets

Target identification, independent valuation, free zone licence due diligence, asset verification, financial due diligence, and deal structuring for buyers seeking UAE logistics exposure — strategic and financial buyers acquiring freight, 3PL, and last-mile platforms.

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Last-Mile & E-Commerce Logistics

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 with appetite for high-growth last-mile assets.

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Financial Due Diligence — Logistics

Revenue quality by customer and lane, contract tenure and renewal review, fleet and asset condition assessment, fuel cost normalisation, driver and customs agent workforce review, and JAFZA licence compliance — purpose-built for logistics acquisitions.

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Supply Chain Technology

M&A and ARR-based valuation for UAE supply chain SaaS, TMS (transport management systems), WMS (warehouse management), and customs automation platforms — growing acquirer interest from logistics groups and global supply chain software firms.

Sector Insight

What Makes UAE Logistics M&A Different

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. These are the deal dynamics that matter.

01
JAFZA Premium
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) licences carry a significant premium in logistics M&A — acquirers pay for the regulatory access, customs facilitation, and Jebel Ali Port proximity that a JAFZA licence provides. A logistics business operating from JAFZA is a materially different asset to an equivalent mainland UAE business.
02
Asset-Light Commands Higher Multiples
Asset-light logistics businesses (freight forwarders, customs brokers, 3PLs with leased warehousing) consistently trade at higher EBITDA multiples than asset-heavy operators (owned truck fleets, owned warehouses). The market pays for capital-efficient, scalable logistics businesses with sticky customer contracts.
03
Global Logistics Groups are Acquirers
DP World, Agility, Aramex, DSV, DB Schenker, DHL, and Maersk are all active acquirers of UAE and GCC logistics businesses as they build Middle East networks. A sell-side process that positions correctly for global logistics strategic buyers captures a significant premium over PE-priced exits.
04
Customer Concentration Risk
UAE logistics businesses are frequently over-concentrated in 2–3 anchor customers that may represent 50–70% of revenue. Acquirers aggressively discount for concentration risk. Founders preparing for sale should demonstrate a diversification track record over 24–36 months before launching a sale process.
05
E-Commerce Tailwind
UAE e-commerce penetration is among the highest in the MENA region, and the resulting last-mile delivery demand is creating a new category of high-growth logistics businesses that command technology-sector-like multiples. B2B2C last-mile platforms with proven tech and route density are among the most attractive UAE logistics acquisition targets.
06
Cold Chain Premium
UAE cold chain logistics — food distribution, pharmaceutical cold chain, temperature-controlled warehousing — is a specialist sub-sector with higher barriers to entry, longer customer contracts, and premium EBITDA multiples vs ambient logistics. Growing demand from UAE food security strategy and pharmaceutical distribution makes cold chain businesses particularly attractive acquisition targets.
FAQs

Logistics M&A UAE FAQs

How are logistics businesses valued in the UAE?+
EV/EBITDA typically 4x–9x depending on asset-heaviness, customer concentration, contract quality, and growth profile. Asset-light freight forwarders with diversified customer bases and long-term contracts trade toward the top; asset-heavy, concentrated businesses trade at a discount. DCF for larger, capital-intensive businesses. Corvian Advisory benchmarks against GCC and global logistics M&A transactions and adjusts for UAE-specific factors including free zone licence premium, UAE corporate tax treatment, and JAFZA location value.
Who buys logistics businesses in the UAE?+
Global logistics groups (DP World, Agility, DSV, DHL, Aramex, Maersk) are the most active strategic acquirers. GCC PE funds (Gulf Capital, Waha Capital, Gulf Opportunity Fund) are active financial buyers. E-commerce platforms (noon, Amazon.ae) are acquiring last-mile and fulfilment businesses for vertical integration. Regional conglomerates with logistics divisions are also active in UAE market consolidation.
Does a JAFZA licence affect the sale price?+
Yes significantly. JAFZA licences provide privileged access to Jebel Ali Port, customs facilitation, and a 0% corporate tax environment for qualifying businesses. Acquirers pay a premium for the JAFZA licence itself — and for the operational relationships with JAFZA authority that come with an established business. The licence transfer process requires JAFZA authority approval, which adds 4–8 weeks to a transaction timeline.
What logistics KPIs matter most to acquirers?+
The metrics UAE logistics acquirers focus on: TEU volume and growth for freight forwarders; warehouse sqm under management and occupancy rates for 3PLs; cost-per-delivery and route density for last-mile operators; revenue per lane and margin by trade corridor for freight forwarders; customer concentration (top 5 customers as % of revenue); and contract length/renewal rate across the customer book.
Is the UAE logistics market consolidating?+
Yes. The UAE logistics sector is in active consolidation — driven by global logistics groups building scale, e-commerce platforms vertically integrating delivery, and GCC PE funds aggregating fragmented markets. This consolidation creates an excellent exit environment for UAE logistics founders with established operations and diversified customer bases. The next 3–5 years are expected to be highly active for UAE logistics M&A.
Other Industries: Technology & SaaS FinTech Healthcare Real Estate Food & Beverage Consumer & Retail Industrial

Selling or Acquiring a UAE Logistics Business?

CFA-led M&A advisory and independent valuation for UAE logistics, freight, and supply chain businesses. Fixed fee. JAFZA and free zone expertise included.

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