DP World has opened a 22,000-square-metre contract logistics facility near Bologna in what the Dubai-based ports and logistics group calls its first Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) contract logistics operation in Italy. The temperature-controlled, multi-customer site at Castel San Pietro Terme is anchored by the Italian organic food company Alce Nero, DP World said on 27 October 2026.
The warehouse offers approximately 30,000 pallet positions, with temperature-controlled storage held at 18–20°C, according to the company. DP World will handle warehousing, transport, e-commerce fulfilment and value-added logistics services for Alce Nero, and said the site is open to other food and consumer-goods companies beyond its anchor client.
A market entry built around an anchor customer
Rainer Schmid, chief commercial officer of DP World Europe, called the launch “an important milestone for DP World”, describing Italy as a key European market and the opening as a way to strengthen the group’s network in the food and beverage sector. He framed the approach as starting from a single customer’s needs and building shared capabilities that can then serve other businesses in the market.
Alce Nero general manager Renzo Patelli said selecting a logistics partner had been a careful process given the complexity of the brand’s model, which brings together multiple supply chains, members, partners and sales channels, each with its own requirements and flows.
Beyond ports into contract logistics
The opening extends DP World’s move beyond ports, shipping and freight forwarding into contract logistics in Europe.
Sources
- DP World — “DP World Launches First FMCG Contract Logistics Hub in Italy”, 27 October 2026
- Food Business MEA — “DP World opens 22,000 sqm FMCG logistics hub near Bologna”, 28 October 2026
