Dubai - UNASCO LLC (Head Office)
UNASCO (Union National Air, Land, and Sea Shipping Co.) is a fully UAE-owned freight forwarder with a storied heritage in the UAE’s logistics landscape. Established in 1982 by a special decree from the late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, UNASCO has grown into a trusted partner for shippers, traders, and importers worldwide, delivering integrated freight and logistics solutions across air, sea, and land modes. With a steadfast commitment to reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, UNASCO has built a robust, world-spanning network of agents and partners that enable timely movement of goods to and from the UAE and destinations around the globe. The company’s core strength lies in its ability to manage multi-modal freight and transportation requirements through a single, coordinated operation, backed by a long-standing local presence and a global reach that suits both regional and cross-border trading needs. This combination of local anchorage and international connectivity is at the heart of UNASCO’s value proposition for freight buyers and suppliers who seek consistent performance, clear communication, and cost-effective logistics solutions.
UNASCO’s service portfolio reflects a full-service approach to freight logistics. The company provides air, sea, and land freight services, complemented by warehousing and distribution capabilities and UAE-to-world operations. Its integrated solutions are designed for shippers and traders who require end-to-end handling—from origin documentation and customs clearance to final delivery—while maintaining control over timelines, costs, and service quality. The business emphasizes a service-driven model that places customer needs at the center, delivering flexible, personalized transport solutions that align with the specific requirements of each shipment. UNASCO’s global network of agents and offices helps ensure consistent service levels across continents, with a focus on speed, reliability, and secure handling of cargo of varying sizes and types.
Air freight remains a cornerstone of UNASCO’s offering. The company’s Air Cargo Division is strategically located in the Dubai International Airport Cargo Village, adjacent to one of the world’s busiest air hubs. This positioning supports rapid air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, enabling UNASCO to manage time-sensitive shipments, optimize transit times, and coordinate complex airfreight movements for customers with urgent supply needs. The division is equipped to handle a wide range of air cargo requirements, from standard consignments to time-critical and special cargo, leveraging the volume, connectivity, and operational efficiency offered by the UAE’s vibrant aviation ecosystem. In this context, UNASCO positions itself as a reliable partner capable of delivering predictable air freight performance, supported by proactive communication, transparent documentation, and robust tracking information throughout the shipment lifecycle.
Complementing air services, UNASCO’s Land Transportation Division provides door-to-door freight movements within the UAE and across the broader Middle East, GCC, and international corridors. The division emphasizes a dependable, end-to-end land solution that supports the seamless transfer of goods between factories, warehouses, and customers. Door-to-door service, coupled with cross-border capabilities, allows UNASCO to manage complex land routes with a focus on safety, compliance, and on-time delivery. This capability is especially valuable for customers seeking predictable ground movements in regional markets as part of a multilateral supply chain strategy, where ground freight often serves as the backbone of regional distribution.
Sea freight operations round out UNASCO’s multi-modal offering. The Sea Cargo Division collaborates with customers to plan and execute ocean movements for a variety of cargo types and sizes, from large full-container shipments to smaller, less-than-container-load consignments. UNASCO emphasizes cost-conscious rates without compromising reliability, ensuring that sea freight remains a practical option for global trade, including cross-trade opportunities that may extend beyond the UAE. The division’s capabilities support import and export cargo by sea at competitive rates, while maintaining control over documentation, cargo handling, and port-to-door arrangements that help customers optimize total landed costs.
In addition to core freight services, UNASCO operates a Travel & Tours arm that provides travel-related services—reflecting the company’s broader capability in managing mobility and logistics needs for individuals and organizations. This diversification demonstrates UNASCO’s ability to offer comprehensive support to clients who require both cargo logistics and travel-related arrangements, a combination that can be particularly valuable for companies coordinating global assignments, exhibitions, and cross-border personnel moves.
UNASCO’s mission statement underscores a client-centric philosophy: to deliver integrated, cost-effective, high-quality, and flexible freight and travel services that align with customers’ needs and exceed expectations. The company emphasizes personalized service and a hands-on approach, aiming to be a reliable partner that actively supports customer growth and supply chain efficiency. By focusing on satisfaction and value creation, UNASCO seeks to establish long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and shared success, while continuing to invest in people, processes, and technology to stay ahead in a competitive logistics landscape.
Acknowledging the scale and complexity of modern logistics, UNASCO has built a structured organisational footprint across the UAE. The group maintains a head office and warehousing facility in the Al Barsha industrial area, positioning it close to key port facilities and the country’s major trade arteries. In addition, a branch office and bonded warehouse facility is located at the Dubai International Airport Cargo Village, taking advantage of direct access to numerous international carriers and cargo flows. The company also operates a branch office in Abu Dhabi, aligning with the UAE’s capital city’s strategic position as a commercial and logistics hub, and maintains a dedicated marketing and management meetings office at a prominent business address in Dubai. This multi-site presence supports resilient operations and enables near-source coordination with customers and partners in different regions and markets.
From a capabilities perspective, UNASCO consistently highlights its experience spanning more than three decades and its leadership in freight handling. The organization has accumulated a rich portfolio of cross-border freight activities, including cross-trade shipments that originate outside the UAE and traverse through its network to destinations around the world. This cross-trade capability is particularly valuable for multinational companies seeking flexibility in routing and cost optimization across global supply chains. By leveraging its long-standing relationships with international carriers and freight forwarders, UNASCO can offer solution-oriented routing, consolidated shipments where appropriate, and tailored logistics strategies that meet the specific demands of diverse industries, including retail, manufacturing, and project cargo.
Quality and compliance are central to UNASCO’s operations. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified, reflecting a formal commitment to quality management across its processes, including freight forwarding, warehousing, customs clearance, and related services. This certification supports a standardized, auditable approach to service delivery, enabling consistent performance, traceability, and continuous improvement. UNASCO’s adherence to recognized quality standards enhances client confidence and aligns with the expectations of global businesses that rely on reliable, compliant logistics providers for international trade.
The UAE-based footprint is reinforced by a networked approach to international partnerships. UNASCO’s global agent network ensures coverage beyond the UAE’s borders, enabling seamless cargo movement to and from a wide array of destinations. This network is complemented by the company’s own offices and warehousing facilities, which help maintain control over critical stages of the supply chain, from origin handling to final delivery. The combination of owned assets and a broad international network enables UNASCO to offer integrated solutions that address the complexities of modern freight logistics, including documentation, regulatory compliance, and coordination with multiple carriers and service providers. The result is a reliable, end-to-end logistics partner capable of serving diverse customer needs with consistency and clarity.
UNASCO’s leadership has also placed emphasis on recognizing the evolving expectations of the e-government and smart government initiatives in the UAE. The company notes that UAE shipping and cargo documentation can be conducted online, reflecting a forward-looking stance on digital processes, efficiency, and transparency. This digital orientation is aligned with broader national aims to streamline government and industry interactions, reduce processing times, and improve the ease of doing business for freight operators and customers alike. By integrating online documentation and streamlined workflows, UNASCO demonstrates its commitment to modern, efficient logistics that leverage technology to enhance the customer experience and operational performance.
In terms of scale and reach, UNASCO operates with multiple UAE offices that collectively support a broad Gulf and international footprint. The head office and warehousing facilities in Al Barsha provide a strategic base, while the Dubai International Airport Cargo Village location offers proximity to one of the most active air cargo hubs in the world. An Abu Dhabi branch extends the company’s geographic coverage, enabling closer engagement with customers in the capital’s business community and industrial zones. A marketing and management meetings office at a prominent city center further complements the group’s ability to coordinate business development activities and client relations. The presence of international agent offices across the globe reinforces UNASCO’s capacity to coordinate cross-border shipments, consolidate loads when feasible, and maintain consistent communication with customers, carriers, and customs authorities throughout the shipment lifecycle.
UNASCO’s service lines are complemented by a focus on value creation for customers. The company’s commitment to cost-effectiveness, while maintaining quality and reliability, positions it as a competitive option for businesses seeking predictable pricing and transparent service levels in a crowded logistics market. The inclusion of warehousing and distribution capabilities together with customs clearance mirrors the needs of modern importers and exporters who require end-to-end supply chain solutions rather than a series of disconnected services. By offering door-to-door services, cross-border transport, and a range of ancillary services (packing, removals, and travel-related services), UNASCO is able to provide integrated logistics that align with the end-to-end requirements of contemporary supply chains, including inventory management and distribution planning.
For businesses evaluating freight providers within a directory like Freightcue, UNASCO presents a compelling profile. The company’s long-standing UAE heritage, combined with a broad service mix—air, sea, and land freight; warehousing; and customs services—translates into a holistic logistics partner capable of managing complex shipments across multiple modes. Its strategic locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the proximity to major air gateways, and the ability to support cross-trade movements make it an attractive option for shippers and forwarders seeking reliable, end-to-end logistics solutions. UNASCO also demonstrates a market-ready approach to digital documentation and process efficiency, which aligns with Freightcue’s emphasis on transparent communication, speed-to-quote, and easy access to service information for freight buyers and providers alike. In a global freight forwarders’ directory context, UNASCO’s combination of local strength and international connectivity makes it a credible candidate for carrier comparisons, rate discussions, and customer feedback within a platform that enables price transparency, quote requests, and performance ratings. From a Freightcue platform perspective, UNASCO embodies the integrated logistics model that the market demands: a capable, multi-modal forwarder with a credible domestic base in the UAE and a robust global network, backed by quality certification, proximity to major cargo hubs, and a history of stable, customer-oriented service delivery. This makes UNASCO a strong addition to any freight forwarder directory, where businesses look for credible partners able to manage end-to-end shipments, provide competitive pricing, and offer consistent communication through every stage of the supply chain. As global trade continues to evolve, UNASCO’s continuity, experience, and multi-modal strengths position it well to support shippers’ needs in dynamic markets, while its UAE roots and international partnerships ensure relevance for customers seeking reliable solutions in the Gulf region and beyond. Freightcue members and users can expect UNASCO to respond to inquiries with a practical understanding of UAE logistics, cross-border movement, and the broader regulatory environment, while offering scalable options that help optimize total landed costs and delivery timelines across global networks.
