NEWS FROM THE MONTH

WBG CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF FLEETBOARD / AFM LAUNCHES NEW DIVISION / FIRST AV IN ME / LOGIPOINT BUILDING NEW COMPLEX / AMAZON RAMPS UP GREEN SCHEMES

NETWORK

WBG celebrates track record

WESTERN BAINOONA GROUP SAYS FLEETBOARD HAS KEPT IT “AHEAD IN THE INDUSTRY”

FLEET

Western Bainoona Group (WBG) says the adoption of Fleetboard telematics has helped save it 10% in fuel savings over the past 10 years.

Both Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA (DCV MENA) and the general distributor of Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Abu Dhabi – Emirates Motor Company (EMC) described WBG’s 10-year anniversary with Fleetboard, “a remarkable achievement”.

WBG is one of the largest professionally run fleets in the region, with every MercedesBenz trucks in their fleet activated with Fleetboard services. Based in the UAE, WBG is one of the most prominent names as an integrated group in the areas of construction, land transportation and crushers, and has been a cornerstone in the development of roads, bridges and infrastructure projects in the UAE, explained DCV MENA and EMC.

“We truly value the partnership and appreciate the trust from WBG. Together with EMC, we are committed to providing the best services and to further strengthen our long and prosperous partnership,” said Olaf Petersen - general manager Daimler Trucks Sales, DCV MENA.

Fleetboard was first introduced to WBG in 2011. By actively utilising the data from Fleetboard’s unique Driver Performance Analysis, Trip Records and Service/ Uptime data, WBG has not only benefitted from operating cost savings such as fuel consumption, but also an increased uptime due to efficient management of services schedules.

This led to the management’s decision to equip Fleetboard as standard in all of their MercedesBenz Trucks in 2015. As of today, there are over 250 active Fleetboard units in WBG’s fleet.

“We continuously enhance our capability to ensure we remain the forefront of our industryt,” said Zouheir Chamandi, president, WBG. “Thanks to Fleetboard, we managed to save over 10% of fuel consumption from idling and achieved almost zero fuel loss from potential fuel theft.”

Drivers also received customised driver training offered by EMC based on the data from Fleetboard’s comprehensive Driver Performance Analysis report.

HEAVY VEHICLES MAKE 375,000 JOURNEYS THROUGH DUBAI, LIFTING ABOUT 5 MILLION TONS OF CARGO EVERY DAY, SAYS THE HEAD OF DUBAI RTA

AFM LAUNCHES NEW DIVISION FOR USED CVS

TRUCKS

Al-Futtaim has entered the used equipment market with the launch of Al-Futtaim Automotive Industrial Equipment (AFA-I.E), a new division that incorporates pre-owned products of both Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO) and Al-Futtaim’s Commercial Vehicles division. The UAE-based group said in a statement that the new division’s range of products will include used construction and material handling equipment, used commercial vehicles, power and industrial products and remanufactured genuine spare parts, this catering to a diverse range of industries from construction and transportation to oil & gas, manufacturing, warehousing and marine sectors.

“AFA-I.E will provide customers with used Volvo trucks, buses and construction equipment in addition to storage and handling products, power and industrial equipment, marine solutions from internationally renowned industry heavyweights,” said the statement. Also available will be used HINO 300, 500 and 700 series trucks and Toyota Material Handling equipment. Each piece of equipment or commercial vehicle will be reconditioned to a defined set of criteria by trained technicians who will inspect every aspect and ensure they meet the required quality and durability standards, said Al-Futtaim.

Ramez Hamdan, managing director – Industrial Equipment (FAMCO, HINO, Toyota Material Handling), Al-Futtaim Automotive, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a shift in customer preference for used vehicles and equipment. The new division will tap into this massive potential and will provide customers with complete peace of mind and assurance.”

AMAZON LAUNCHES SEVERAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS IN MENA REGION

LAST MILE

Amazon has announced that it is launching a number of sustainable projects in the MENA region, including in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt, as part of its commitment to its sustainability roadmap in the region.

Amazon said that its MENA operations are working to support The Climate Pledge, a global drive to achieve net-zero carbon across its businesses by 2040. This target is fully aligned with the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, which aim to unify sustainability efforts in Saudi Arabia and the region to increase reliance on clean energy, offset the impact of fossil fuels and combat climate change.

Furthermore, the company said that it aims to have all its Fulfilment Centres in the MENA region powered by renewable energy, an ambition that supports the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives’ drive to develop the local and regional clean energy sector. Two facilities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt are scheduled to adopt this technology by 2022.

In addition, the company is working to strengthen its control systems, data, and analytics to improve energy efficiency across all facilities with the implementation of state-of-the-art Building Management Systems (BMS).

Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon MENA said: “We are proud to be operating in countries that have a heightened consciousness of the impact of climate change on future generations. As we embark on our path to a low carbon economy a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement, I call on businesses in MENA to join us as signatories to The Climate Pledge.

“By agreeing to decarbonise on a faster time horizon, we will play a critical role in stimulating innovation, policies and investment that will help to tackle the climate crisis in our communities, our countries and our region.”

The statement highlighted that solving the climate crisis is a shared responsibility with shared dividends, requiring collective action between businesses, organisations and governments. It pointed out that the company has made ambitious commitments towards reaching its goal, including the deployment of carbon reduction strategies at every stage of the operations process – from the time an item is picked off the shelf in a Fulfilment Centre, to the materials used to pack the item, and the transport that gets the package to the customer’s door.

Prashant Saran, Director of Operations for Amazon MENA added: “We understand that human-induced climate change is real, serious, and requires immediate action. As we continue to grow in the region, our MENA sustainability roadmap embodies Amazon’s commitment towards building an environmentally sustainable business and supporting the communities where we live and work.”

Co-founded by Amazon in 2019, The Climate Pledge calls on signatories to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early through regular reporting, carbon elimination and credible offsets. More than 100 organisations have signed the Pledge to date.

EURO AUCTIONS APPOINTS NEW UAE MANAGER

FIRST SAUDI ARABIA GRAND PRIX ON TRACK

AUCTIONS

Euro Auctions has announced the appointment of Milad Akhitar as a new territory manager for the UAE in pursuance of its expansion in the country. The international auctioneer said Akhitar joins Euro Auctions with a “solid sales background. having worked in the media for many years in the plant and machinery sector”.

In his previous job, Akhiter worked as a key account manager for a publication in the regional equipment sector and “has good connections across the region, with an excellent understanding of the market, with experience in evaluating and assessing machinery and equipment”.

“With his connections with OEMs, dealers of used equipment, contractors, rental companies, as well as end-users, Akhitar will be active in introducing the Euro Auctions brand to more potential consignors across the Middle East,” said the Euro Auctions statement.

Speaking about his new role, Akhitar added: “I have seen the growth of Euro Auctions in Dubai and across the region. The company is seen as a trusted business partner attracting new consignors at each sale… I was also impressed with the management structure and being a privatelyowned business there is real sense of family, with all of its employees working as a cohesive team.”

MOTORSPORTS

Construction work is in full swing on Formula 1’s fastestever street circuit, which is being prepared at Jeddah Corniche track, for the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place later in the year.

According to Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), the promotor of the 2021 F1 Saudi Grand Prix, the 27-corner, 6.1km circuit will be the secondlongest on the calendar and will feature an average speed of 250km/h, as per simulations.

It added that the Jeddah race will be run under floodlights, and that it could feature three DRS zones to add even more excitement. A key part of the high-speed layout will be Turn 13, which is banked at 12-degrees, plus the stretch from Turn 23 to Turn 27, which will see drivers hit 322km/h, the SMC statement said.

Due to make its F1 calendar debut on 5 December, 2021, the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be the newest circuit in the sport. With drivers reaching an average speed of 250km/h, it will be the fastest street circuit in the world, and amongst the top five fastest Formula 1 circuits altogether.

With 27-corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit will be 6.175km in length, making it the second-longest circuit on the current F1 calendar behind the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the longest street circuit in the sport, stated SMC in its statement.

SMC also revealed plans for its state-of-the-art Pit & Team Building that will be the centrepiece of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Designed by Tilke GmbH architect, Ulrich Merres, the 280m-long, four-storey, structure takes the form of a “landscape of multi-storey staggered buildings sitting alongside the main straight.”

LOGIPOINT BUILDING WAREHOUSE COMPLEX AT JEDDAH ISLAMIC PORT

LOGISTICS

Saudi Arabia’s LogiPoint has awarded a $18.5 million contract to Sahara Building Contractors for the construction of its multi-purpose warehouse complex, Warehouse Village V, at Jeddah Islamic Port, it has been announced.

In a statement, LogiPoint said that the new facility will be built on a 24,500-sq-m area within the group’s flagship logistics park – the Bonded and Re-Export Zone in Jeddah – with dedicated zones for handling frozen, chilled, ambient and dry cargoes.

The Bonded and Re-Export zone is a 1 million sqm fully integrated logistics platform dedicated to facilitating trade and development in the Kingdom by enabling the supply chain and logistics industry and by creating value through investments in innovative, next generation solutions and state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure, the statement explained.

LogiPoint is regarded as one of the Kingdom’s premier developers and creator of transformative logistics parks and zones, the statement added.

Warehousing Village V also introduces a LogiPoint first with a dedicated zone designed and equipped to handle pharmaceutical goods.LogiPoint warehousing facilities are currently operating at over 100% utilisation. The Value Addition Zone will enable LogiPoint to extend their time tested and much in demand value added services.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: THE NEW RENAULT TCK RANGES, THE UPTIME CHAMPIONS, AL MASAOOD HITS THE LAST MILE, AND MUCH MORE!

FENIX LAUNCHES 10 MINUTE FOOD SERVICE

LAST MILE

Micromobility specialist FENIX has launched has launched a 10-minute grocery delivery service, F10, in the UAE.

The firm claims F10 is the first delivery service in the Middle East region to offer 10 minutes fast and fresh grocery deliveries with no minimum order and free delivery, bringing flexibility and freedom to grocery shopping. For the initial launch period new users can try their first order for free, up to AED 50 off.

The 10-minute promise is made possible by FENIX’s vertically integrated approach across the entire value chain, using FENIX’s best-in-class micromobility vehicles and in-house full-time employees to deliver fresh groceries from FENIX dark stores, thereby minimizing any lost time.

According to FENIX, the F10 service brings a “new level of speed and quality that just hasn’t been possible by typical food tech marketplaces” in the region that have less control over inventory and logistics.

“We started FENIX with a mission to unleash urban potential and propel communities forward. We are focused on everyday activities for everybody, which started with new mobility models affordable to all and now with F10 we are creating a paradigm shift in how families think about groceries,” said Jaideep Dhanoa, Co-Founder and CEO of FENIX. “Using F10 there is no burden to plan and prepare to make sure one has the groceries they need a week in advance. Imagine having a supermarket on demand in your kitchen. You get your time back - with ultimate freedom.”

Through their network of centrally located dark stores, F10 can service customers quickly within a speed-optimised delivery radius.

DP WORLD OPENS BERBERA PORT TERMINAL

PORTS

Following the completion of the first phase of a port expansion project in line with a development plan for the Horn of Africa region, DP World and Somaliland have inaugurated a new container terminal at Berbera Port.

The container terminal has a deep draft of 17m, a 400m quay and three ship to shore (STS) gantry cranes and can handle the largest container vessels in operation today. The upgrades increase the port’s container capacity from the current 150,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) to 500,000 TEUs annually. The terminal also includes a modern container yard with eight rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs).

A new port ‘One Stop Service Centre’ is also currently being built and will be ready in quarter three this year, the statement explained.

The terminal was opened by Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi and DP World group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem at a special event attended by over 200 guests, including a government delegation from Ethiopia, led by Ahmed Shide, minister of Finance and Dagmawit Moges, minister of Transport.

The event also included a symbolic ground-breaking for the new Berbera Economic Zone, the first phase of which is under construction, said the statement.

CSP AD TO USE REGION’S FIRST AV PORT TRUCK

LOGISTICS

CSP Abu Dhabi container terminal, operating within Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port Khalifa Port, has announced its terminal will be the first in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system. A total of six electric Q-Trucks will be commissioned by CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal following a two-month trial period, said a statement from CSP. The autonomous trucks will be tasked with supporting mother vessel loading and unloading activities within the facility’s container yard.

The L5 Autonomous Freight Trucks are produced by Qomolo, and are equipped with an advanced 360-degree sensory system with traffic monitoring and driving guidance system, which enables operators to direct vehicles’ navigation and transportation of general and reefer containers with ease. The use of smart automation is another key step forward for one of the world’s most technologically advanced ports, said the statement. Moving forward, CSP Abu Dhabi and Khalifa Port are exploring other potential applications for AI-powered solutions within terminal and port operations.