A successful freight forwarding company needs more than trucks, containers, aircraft, warehouses, and cargo documentation. It also needs people who feel respected, motivated, and supported in their workplace. During my internship at Delman Shipping, I had the opportunity to observe not only how the company manages logistics and freight forwarding operations, but also how it creates a healthy and positive work environment for employees.
Delman Shipping is a freight forwarding and logistics company based in Garhoud, Dubai. The company operates in an industry that requires speed, responsibility, coordination, and strong communication. Logistics is a demanding field because shipments often involve strict timelines, customer expectations, documentation requirements, import and export procedures, cargo handling, and transportation planning. Despite the busy nature of freight forwarding, I observed that the workplace at Delman Shipping is well organised, friendly, and supportive.
Structured teamwork
From my first days as a Finance and Operations Intern, I noticed that the company has a structured way of working. Different departments handle their responsibilities in an orderly manner, and employees work together to make sure that cargo movements, customer requirements, documents, finance records, and operational tasks are handled properly. In freight forwarding, teamwork is essential because one shipment may involve finance staff, operations personnel, customer service representatives, transport coordinators, warehouse workers, and external parties.
A positive workplace culture
What stood out to me most was the workplace culture. The employees at Delman Shipping appear comfortable working with one another, and there is a sense of teamwork throughout the office. Colleagues communicate respectfully, help each other when needed, and work together to solve problems. This creates a professional but welcoming environment where people can focus on their work without unnecessary tension.
A healthy workplace environment is especially important in logistics because the industry can be stressful. There may be urgent cargo shipments, customer deadlines, documentation issues, transport delays, or unexpected changes in schedules. When employees feel respected and supported, they are more likely to communicate effectively and work together to find solutions. During my internship, I observed that Delman Shipping has created an environment where employees can cooperate and maintain a positive attitude even when work is busy.
Respectful leadership
The leadership of the company plays a major role in this culture. The CEO, Mr. UG, has helped create a workplace where employees are treated with respect. In my experience, this has had a positive effect on the overall office environment. When employees feel valued by management, they are more motivated, more engaged, and more willing to contribute their best effort. Respectful leadership also encourages employees to treat each other well, creating a stronger team culture.
Office lunches and team building
One activity that reflects this positive company culture is the office lunch held every two weeks at the Delman office in Garhoud. These lunches are a thoughtful way for employees to come together outside of their daily tasks. In a busy freight forwarding company, it can be easy for staff members to focus only on cargo, emails, documents, quotations, invoices, and customer requests. The office lunches give employees the opportunity to sit together, talk, relax, and build stronger relationships.
The most recent event I attended was especially memorable. It was a World Cup-themed lunch where the CEO gifted every employee a jersey of their favourite World Cup team. This was a meaningful gesture because it made everyone feel included and appreciated. The event was not only about food or gifts. It was about building team spirit and creating a shared experience among employees from different departments.
After the lunch, employees participated in games together. It was a fun and enjoyable team-building event that brought people closer. These activities may seem simple, but they make a real difference in the workplace. When employees have positive relationships with their colleagues, communication becomes easier, teamwork improves, and the overall office atmosphere becomes healthier.
The World Cup lunch also showed that Delman Shipping understands the importance of employee engagement. In many companies, team-building activities are treated as something unimportant. However, at Delman Shipping, these events help employees feel connected to the company and to one another. A strong workplace culture can improve morale, reduce stress, and create a more productive working environment.
Organised freight forwarding operations
I also observed that the company functions in an orderly way. Freight forwarding requires careful coordination between many activities, including air freight, sea freight, land transport, dangerous goods handling, cargo documentation, warehouse operations, and customer communication. Each department must understand its role and complete tasks accurately. At Delman Shipping, I saw how employees work in a structured manner to support the smooth movement of cargo.
The company's organised work environment also helps interns and new employees learn. As an intern, I was able to observe different processes, ask questions, and gain practical knowledge about logistics operations. The willingness of colleagues to explain tasks and share their experience made my internship more meaningful. I did not feel like I was only observing from the outside. I felt included in the workplace and encouraged to learn.
What it taught me
My experience at Delman Shipping taught me that a company's success is not measured only by its services, customers, or cargo volumes. It is also measured by how it treats its employees. A company that respects its people creates a stronger foundation for long-term success. When employees are happy, respected, and motivated, they are more likely to provide better service and work more effectively as a team.
Overall, Delman Shipping has shown me what a healthy workplace environment can look like in the logistics industry. The company combines organised freight forwarding operations with respectful leadership, teamwork, employee engagement, and a positive office culture. My internship has helped me understand that good logistics is not only about moving cargo efficiently. It is also about creating an environment where people can work together with confidence, professionalism, and mutual respect.
