DP World opens Johor warehouse in Southeast Asia push

DP World has opened a warehouse in Johor, Malaysia, the first of two facilities it plans to launch in the country.

The new warehouse covers 11,514 square metres and sits within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. It will support contract logistics for customers in sectors including technology, fashion, automotive and industrial goods.

The Johor facility is part of a wider Southeast Asia expansion as logistics groups add warehousing capacity near major manufacturing and trade routes. Its location is intended to strengthen links between Malaysia, Singapore and other regional corridors used by companies with time-sensitive supply chains.

Johor has become an increasingly important logistics base because of its proximity to Singapore and its role in cross-border trade. By placing a dedicated warehouse in the special economic zone, DP World is adding storage and inbound logistics space in an area where manufacturers, distributors and retailers want faster cross-border movement of goods.

A second Malaysian warehouse is due to open in Kuala Lumpur later this year. DP World also plans to add warehouse sites in the Philippines and Thailand before year-end, extending its contract logistics network in a region attracting new industrial investment and supply chain diversification.

Regional push

The Malaysia opening is part of a broader Asia Pacific build-out. It follows the launch of DP World's first warehouse in Singapore in May 2025, alongside new logistics facilities in Hong Kong, Sydney and Icheon, South Korea.

That network sits alongside 16 ports and terminals the company operates across Asia Pacific. DP World is linking warehousing with inland transport and freight services covering air, ocean, less-than-container load and intermodal movements.

For logistics operators, combining ports, storage and transport services has become central to competing for customers seeking fewer handovers between providers. Manufacturers and consumer brands have also been looking for more regional distribution options as they adjust sourcing and inventory strategies after years of disruption in global supply chains.

In Southeast Asia, that shift has supported demand for warehouse space in locations with access to ports, airports and industrial clusters. Malaysia has been one of the beneficiaries, especially in southern areas closely tied to Singapore's trade and manufacturing base.

Customer sectors

The Johor warehouse will serve industries that often rely on tight inventory control and predictable delivery schedules. Technology and automotive supply chains, in particular, can depend on rapid inbound handling and secure storage, while fashion and industrial customers often need regional hubs that support imports, consolidation and onward distribution.

DP World described the site as a dedicated warehouse for warehousing and inbound logistics operations. While it did not disclose the value of the investment, the scale of the building and its position within the special economic zone indicate that Johor is a significant part of its Southeast Asia growth plan.

Across the region, contract logistics has become more competitive as multinational groups and domestic players expand fulfilment, storage and transport offerings. Demand has been supported by eCommerce growth, manufacturing investment and efforts by companies to spread supply chain risk across multiple countries rather than relying too heavily on a single production base.

According to company figures, DP World employs more than 12,000 people across 22 geographies in Asia Pacific. Globally, it has more than 125,000 employees and operates across six continents.

A company executive said the Johor launch is directly tied to that regional logistics build-out.

Jeanie Tan, Chief Commercial Officer, Logistics, Asia Pacific at DP World, said: "The opening of our warehouse in Johor marks an important step in strengthening our growing logistics footprint across Southeast Asia. As we continue to invest in strategic logistics assets across the region and connect them to our existing network of ports and terminals, we are enhancing our ability to deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions that help customers move goods more efficiently, reliably and resiliently. This facility will accelerate our Southeast Asia growth and build the capacity needed to support our customers' long-term success."