24 minute read
READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“WE’RE READY
FOR THE HOLIDAYS”
How DP World and JAFZA are evolving to ensure the cluster is ready for the holiday season
Holiday festivities and the resulting spike in demand for food items - from fresh milk and meat to cereals and oils - make the end of the year a busy period for manufacturers and distributors alike, as they face tight schedules, tight capacity, and overwhelming consumer expectations.
Global trade flows have evolved over the past three years, with agri-industries seeking new regional manufacturing bases with easy access to key target markets.
In the GCC, Dubai is the largest hub for the food and beverage (F&B) sector and the first choice for regional players.
The emirate’s geostrategic location makes it an ideal bridge between East-West and North-South markets. Coupled with a robust business ecosystem and strong government policies, this led to the emirate recording double-digit growth in exports in 2021.
Dubai’s external foodstuff trade also jumped 11 per cent year-on-year to reach AED 74 billion, up from AED 65.8 billion in 2020.
DP World has been a critical contributor to this growth. Its world-class smart digital logistics infrastructure and trade network have ensured ease of doing business for several F&B companies.
These also support national initiatives such as the National Food Security Strategy 2051, the “Make it in the Emirates” initiative and Operation 300bn, which aims to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to AED 300 billion by 2031.
Some of the biggest names in F&B utilise 360-degree operations and access to thriving import-dependent markets via the Jebel Ali hub.
Al Khaleej Sugar operates the world’s largest port-based sugar refinery in Jebel Ali Port. Hunter foods, a leader in innovation and alternative snacks and nutrition in the Middle East and Asia has a presence in Jafza. Lipton operates the second largest tea facility in the world at Jafza where it produces 1 million tea bags every single hour.
A preferred F&B destination
Jafza is the region’s preferred destination for F&B manufacturing, with a customer base of 600 companies from 70 countries, accounting for 20 per cent of Dubai’s total F&B trade. Offering multimodal transportation, the dedicated F&B cluster consisting of quayside, pre-built warehouses, and cool and cold storage spreads over 1.7 million sqm.
Three factors underpin the success of Jafza’s local and global customers - innovation, scalable technology and partnerships. F&B manufacturers can reduce lead time through the free zone’s thermal insulated, purpose-built Light Industrial Units (LIUs) and warehouses. They can also achieve competitiveness by taking advantage of incentives such as zero corporate tax and VAT exemptions.
Another major benefit is access to digital trade platforms like ZADI via Dubai Trade. Launched in 2020, ZADI is a unified food import platform which has been key to facilitating the import and re-export of food shipments throughout Dubai ports, safeguarding the food supply chain from monopoly and disruption.
DP World’s smart technologies also make logistics operations more sustainable and seamless for its customers. Through DP World CARGOES, customers can ensure transparent and simplified supply chains via 4PL solutions and services such as track and trace technology, trade financing, reverse logistics, feeder services and more.
Jafza along with Jebel Ali Port forms the Jebel Ali hub that offers unmatched one-stopshop solutions, multimodal connectivity, and last-mile delivery. The free zone’s proximity to the port - connected to over 150 ports and over 80 weekly services - gives F&B companies access to 3.5 billion consumers globally. The port acts as a gateway to highgrowth markets in the Middle East, Africa, South and East Asia and the CIS Countries.
DP World’s ecosystem offers shorter transit times to larger markets, logistics to valueadded solutions, and investment to end-to-end solutions. The company’s comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions. DP World delivers these services through an interconnected global network of 295 business units in 78 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets.
DP World will invest in the most versatile, technologically advanced and automated grains and pulses material handling and ferrying systems at Jebel Ali Port’s Food and Agriculture Terminal.
Dedicated F&B Terminal
Further boosting the local and regional F&B industry is Jebel Ali Port’s Food and Agriculture Terminal. The 1 million sqm quayside terminal strengthens Dubai’s status as a key gateway for global F&B trade. It is equipped to process cereals, meat, and seafood products, bottled water, and dairy products with specialised facilities for oil, tea, coffee, cacao, spices, and various primal food products.
This year in July, two new development projects with Adroit Canada and Al Amir Foods at Food and Agriculture Terminal were announced to ensure a reliable, consistent, and safe agricultural
Dubai is the largest F&B hub in the GCC”
value chain within the region. With an estimated investment of AED200 million, the facilities will have a singular ecosystem for bulk silo storage and agri-processing.
The facilities are expected to account for annual trade of more than AED 900 million, contributing to Dubai’s strategic plan of boosting foreign trade to AED 2 trillion. DP World will also invest in the most versatile, technologically advanced and automated grains and pulses material handling and ferrying systems as part of the project.
JAFZA ENTERS THE METAVERSE
It has been one of the buzzwords of 2022 and the emergence of the metaverse will transform and boost the ever-growing consumer electronics segment and trade in general by enabling the sale of virtual and physical goods and allowing customers to even walk into a virtual store with their digital avatars. Furthermore, as the metaverse expands and companies such as DP World explore the untapped potential of the virtual world, manufacturing and trade of electrical and electronic products that will enhance user experience are set to witness a boom.
In May, DP World announced the creation of DPMETAWORLD to bring cutting-edge virtual solutions for real-world supply chain challenges. Given the scale of the company’s operations, spanning six continents, 80 ports and various logistics operations, customers will have the advantage to understand the supply chain from end to end, create alternate routes in case of logistics bottlenecks and accelerate the flow of goods.
The company will also explore metaverse applications for its services, including simulations of warehousing and terminal operations, in socalled digital twins – 3D virtual versions of physical assets – as well as container and vessel inspections. Moreover, their customer-focused applications will include enhanced retail market access, with the potential to extend DP World’s 1600+ showrooms at the Dubai Traders Market to an unlimited number of customers through an immersive shopping experience.
FOOD FOR TRANSPORT
Jebel Ali Port’s Food and Agriculture Terminal is a 1 million sqm quayside terminal which strengthens Dubai’s status as a key gateway for global F&B trade.
ADVANCED RANGE ROVERS EVS COMING IN 2024 / VOLVO PENTA DEBUTS GREEN HYDROGEN ENGINE AT BAUMA / LIQUI MOLY EMBRACING NEW TECH
WORKSHOP
JLR secures semi-conductor partner for EVs
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Jaguar Land Rover has turned to Wolfspeed, Inc. for the supply of Silicon Carbide semiconductors for its next generation electric vehicles.
The technology will deliver increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range, said JLR. Under its Reimagine strategy, Jaguar Land Rover said it is transforming to an electric-first business, to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039.
The Range Rover-maker added that Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology will be used specifically in the vehicles’ inverter, managing the transfer of power from the battery to the electric motors. The first Range Rover vehicles with this advanced technology will be available from 2024, and the new all-electric Jaguar brand the following year.
“We are not strangers having collaborated together with the Jaguar TCS Racing team for the last five seasons,” said Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover. “By developing that into a strategic partnership as part of our Reimagine strategy, we can integrate Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology into our next generation electric vehicles, delivering extended range and performance capabilities for our clients.”
Wolfspeed’s world leading technology is powering electric propulsion systems across the entire voltage spectrum – from 400V to 800V. The Silicon Carbide power device solutions will be produced at Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, which opened in April 2022 as the world’s largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facility.
The fully automated facility dramatically expands capacity for Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide technologies, which will supply the increasing demand for EV production and other advanced technology sectors around the world.
Wolfspeed president and CEO, Gregg Lowe, added: “The energy efficiency of Silicon Carbide will play an essential role as Jaguar Land Rover pursues its own zero carbon goals, and as the world transitions to an all-electric transportation future.”
The partnership agreement sees Jaguar Land Rover participate in the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply ProgramT, to secure the supply of this technology for future electric vehicle production needs.
LIQUI MOLY MD ‘NOT FRIGHTENED’ BY EVS
LUBRICANTS
Thanks to its wide range of automotive chemicals, LIQUI MOLY’s managing director Günter Hiermaier claims the company is well-positioned for the mobility transformation.He says the manufacturer of motor oils and additives is not ‘frightened’ by electric mobility.
“For us, this means additional business because we can launch new products specifically for electric vehicles, most recently a transmission fluid for Tesla and a fuel cell coolant,” said Hiermaier. “True, these vehicles no longer need motor oil. But just think of the millions of combustion-engine cars that are on the road now. Even if no car was produced with a combustion engine from one day to the next, it would take over 15 years for the last ones to disappear. Our focus is much more on the aftermarket than on the OE business and this change will only happen gradually in the aftermarket.
INSIDE THIS MONTH’S WORKSHOP: BEATING OFF TIREDNESSS AND KEEPING YOU AND YOUR VEHICLE IN THE BEST CONDITION, AND MORE
CONTINENTAL BRINGS BESTDRIVE TYRE BRAND CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO DUBAI
TYRES
Continental Tyres has unveiled its first BestDrive facility in Dubai at an opening ceremony in the Al Quoz district.
The UAE is now home to three BestDrive branches, following two established branches in Abu Dhabi, BestDrive in Dubai will be managed by Emirates for Universal Tyres (EUT) and will offer a complete tyre fitment solution designed to provide the best advice, service, quality and value for customers, said the German firm.
Each branch offers a comprehensive portfolio of automotive products and services in order to provide a convenient all-in-one solution for most customer needs. This will include the fitment of brakes, batteries, shock absorbers and other related services.
Describing itself as one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, Continental says it wants to provide customers with “the most advanced solutions moving beyond just fitting tyres, and offering an all-in-one solution to meet customer needs.”
Speaking at the opening, Karel Kucera, managing director of Continental Middle East, added: “We are very pleased to have inaugurated this new facility. All over the world, BestDrive stands for quality and is our premium tyre retail and automotive service centre network committed to providing the highest value to our customers. With the opening of this third store in Dubai, I am confident that we will be able to continue doing great things together in the UAE and wider region in the years to come as we start opening more BestDrive centres.”
VOLVO PENTA UNVEILS HYBRID H2 ENGINE
ENGINES
Volvo Penta used last month’s Bauma event in Germany to launch its new dual fuel hydrogen engine as it aims to reach netzero value chain emissions by 2040. The engine the integrates Volvo Penta’s D8 engine with a hydrogen system developed in partnership with CMB.TECH.
The firms believe the system can act as a low-carbon interim solution, before suitable zero-emissions alternatives become viable. The engine uses hydrogen as a renewable fuel source to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%, without impacting power, performance or uptime, said Volvo Penta.
The company is also expanding its electric driveline offer with its new cube battery driveline. Based on ‘proven ‘Volvo Group technology, it told Bauma visitors that it offers customers increased installation flexibility as well as a 40% increase in energy density.
Volvo Penta’s existing electric driveline, which incorporates its flat-pack battery, has also been improved to deliver a 40% increase in energy density.
Both these power solutions are backed by connectivity to help customers actively monitor the health of their drivelines in a predictive way throughout their lifespan.
“At Volvo Penta we believe that strong collaboration with customers and partners is crucial to succeed on our transformation journey,” says Anders Konradsson,VP of Industrial Sales at Volvo Penta. “We work closely with our customers and form longterm partnerships to create purpose-built power solutions based on their requirements.”
NEW GOODYEAR LUBRICANTS LAUNCHED
LUBRICANTS
Alonsa Electric Group, a member of the AL TARA GROUP since 1978, has launched a comprehensive line of Goodyear engine oils throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia at Automechanika Dubai. Based in Dubai, Alonsa Electric Group says it works continuously to improve the development of Goodyear’s lubricant product range and displayed Goodyear’s new engine lubricants at the exhibition. The range uses 100% virgin syntheticbased oil technology combined with additive packages and ‘stateof-the-art’ blending practices. Products are tested and proven in both laboratory and field settings, demonstrating the effectiveness of uniting advanced formulation and technology transfers. The manufacturing process follows all international standards, and laboratory checks are performed before products leave the blending plant. The American Petroleum Institute’s (API) specifications serve as the benchmark standard for products, when applicable.
Goodyear lubricant products are ESMA-certified for sale in the UAE. Additionally, Goodyear Vigor 15W40 CI4, a high-performance diesel lubricant has secured Volvo and Mercedes-Benz OEM certification. Mercedes Benz also certified GOODYEAR CRUIZER PLUS 5W40 API SN. All of Goodyear’s latest products are exclusively tested in ISO 17025 laboratories. The product portfolio in this category includes a diverse variety of goods designed for the automotive, construction, mining, refrigeration and marine industries. Goodyear lubricants are created in subcontracted blending factories in the United Arab
Emirates, Europe, and Malaysia that mix at the highest quality levels. Regarding the new products,
Sunil Khanchandani, managing director of Alonsa Electric Gulf noted: “The MENA region has always had a strong automotive enthusiast culture, and we look forward to sharing the latest oil and lubrication technology with vendors and consumers.”
DRIVING FATIGUE:
MYTHS AND MINIMISING RISKS
Personal injury law firm Watermans look at the perils of being tired at the wheel
It is common knowledge that drunk, drugged, or distracted drivers pose a danger to themselves and others on the road. But tired motorists, who tend to be overlooked when thinking about unsafe driving, are just as perilous. Indeed, collisions caused by drowsy drivers are 50% more likely to result in death or serious injuries. This is because, if dozing, the person at the wheel doesn’t have the chance to slam the brake or try to avoid the impact.
Statistics show that fatigue is a major cause of road incidents all over the country. 10 to 20% of all car crashes in the UK, for instance, are said to be caused by driver fatigue. What’s more, in Scotland only, drowsy driving is responsible for about 50 fatal or severe collisions every year.
Signs of tiredness can appear when you least expect them to, and for a number of different reasons. To combat the feeling of drowsiness when at the wheel, drivers often rely on wellknown tricks and strategies. However, the reality is that most of these unfounded precautions can do very little to cure your sense of sleepiness.
Therefore, we explore and disprove some of the most frequent myths around driving when tired while offering advice on how to minimise your risks.
Debunking the myths
Most drivers are fully aware of the dangers of drink or drug driving. However, it is fair to say that motorists sometimes don’t apply the same level of caution to drowsy driving, and are more prone to hopping into their car despite feeling tired.
One of the reasons for this is that some people tend to buy into false ideas about driving fatigue. They are confident that they will be able to keep their tiredness levels under control and stay safe on the road. But with scarce or no scientific evidence to back up these ideas, they remain nothing but dangerous myths. Here, we debunk some of the most common:
Drinking coffee keeps you awake – Caffeine can help prevent deep sleep, but it cannot promise to keep your eyes open at all times. In truth, sipping coffee when sleep deprived can favour ‘microsleeps’, where you nod off for a few seconds at a time. This can be extremely dangerous, as in six seconds and at a speed of 70mph, a vehicle can travel about 200m – which is enough time to accidentally veer into a different lane and cause a serious accident.
TACKLING DROWSINESS
If you are getting ready for a car journey but worried that you might become tired along the way, there are some steps you can take to tackle potential drowsiness:
Pick your time – Try avoiding long road trips between midnight and 6 am, as these hours of the day are when our body clock reaches a natural dip, triggering a sense of sleepiness. In fact, drivers are 20 times more likely to fall asleep at 6 am than – for instance – at 10 pm.
Avoid heavy meals – Large, heavy meals can make you feel tired as the body has to work harder to digest all the food and nutrients. Hence, if you are about to get into your car and are feeling peckish, you may want to have a chocolate bar, light meal, or energising snack instead.
Turn off the heating – A warm car can make you feel tired, especially if you have been driving for a fair while. In fact, it can cause dehydration, which is one of the most prominent effects of fatigue. To stay hydrated and alert when on the road, make sure to keep a bottle of water in your vehicle.
Drive share – Having two motorists available for a long car journey is crucial. This way, if the current driver starts feeling tired, the other person can take their place and safely continue the road trip.
Playing the radio or winding down
the windows – Some may believe that turning up the volume of the radio or letting in some fresh air will help them stay awake and concentrated on the road ahead. But if you are already sleepy and struggling to stay alert, external sounds and music may only work temporarily. In fact, they may soon prove to be distracting, adding further strain to your fatigued brain.
Young age – Teenage drivers and young motorists may neglect feelings of drowsiness as they think that age is on their side. The truth is, though, that young adults require more or just as much sleep as wiser people. Not to mention that their busy school, university, or job schedules can have a toll on their energy levels. Young age has an array of benefits, but it won’t keep you awake if you are tired behind the wheel.
Sleepiness is dangerous, tiredness
isn’t – This is another big misconception. Whether you are sleepy or simply tired, hitting the road is dangerous in both scenarios. To some extent, it is similar to drink driving – you do not have to be completely intoxicated for it to be a hazard. Low-level fatigue can still have a negative impact on your driving, as it impairs the ability to see clearly, spot dangers, make sensible decisions, and manage multiple tasks at once.
You are able to predict when you
are about to fall asleep – Nobody knows your body better than you do. But when it comes to sleeping, you have limited control over when you may end up dozing off. Indeed, have you ever been aware of the exact moment you have fallen asleep? If you are starting to feel tired, the best option is to pull over at the first safe opportunity and take a nap to recharge.
Tips to tackle drowsy driving
Driving fatigue can lead to unfortunate and unwanted outcomes, from a painful whiplash injury to more severe or fatal consequences. Jumping behind the wheel when tired is not necessarily illegal, but if it leads to serious collisions, you could be fined or charged for dangerous driving. Therefore, it is vital to spot signs of tiredness and promptly take action for the safety of all road users.
“Driving is part of our daily lives, allowing us to get from A to B in a timely fashion,” says John Dillon, Head of Dispute Resolution at Watermans. “But, as most things, it comes with its dangers, and tiredness is one of them. This is why you should look out for warning signs Jumping behind the wheel when tired is not necessarily illegal, but if it leads to serious collisions, you could be fined or charged for dangerous driving”
when – or before – you hop into your vehicle.
“If you are finding it difficult to concentrate and you are frequently yawning, it may be wise to give driving a miss for a little while. Likewise, heavy eyelids, a nodding head, and rolling eyes should certainly set off alarm bells in your head.
“There are many reasons for which you may suddenly feel sleepy, from sentiments of stress to driving for long periods of time. Whatever the motive, stay away from the roads to keep everyone safe, as the consequences of drowsy driving could be life-changing.”
From drinking coffee to playing the radio and young age, there are many false myths that drivers cling to when feeling drowsy. It is important to remember that fatigue can have a worrying impact on motorists’ reaction times and abilities. Therefore, you should always keep off the road if you are struggling to stay focused and awake.
With a few tips, though, including carefully picking your travelling time and avoiding large meals, you can nip the problem in the bud and cruise into the horizon with a fresh, lucid brain.
THE RISKS OF BEING TIRED
Driving fatigue can lead to unfortunate and unwanted outcomes, from a painful whiplash injury to more severe or fatal consequences, advises the team from Watermans.
KEEPING IN SHAPE
Fausto Lupone, automotive sector expert at PETRONAS Lubricants International gives his money-saving tips for the modern driver
As technology and cars evolve, we need to be able to rely on the vehicles that play such a big and vital part in our everyday lives. This means that we must have products and solutions that not only keep our machines in good health but also provide benefits in the long run. Motorists are also searching for solutions that are more sustainable as we work together to help build a healthier planet.
As drivers become more conscious of spending, they are looking to take matters into their own hands to find more ways to live cost-effectively, and this includes all things related to driving and vehicle maintenance.
Looking after your car, truck, or motorbike should be approached in the same way as looking after your body – feeding it with the correct products will yield greater benefits over time and reduce maintenance and repair frequency. Therefore, drivers need to ensure that their machinery is taken care of with the proper lubrication and engine oils – so that over time the wear and tear of the critical parts don’t fail. By investing in the right products, drivers can ensure greater fuel economy, stronger heat protection, and a longer lifespan for their engine’s critical parts.
You get what you give…
Neglecting to fuel your body with the vital nutrients its needs doesn’t get you very far over time – the same is true for your vehicles. Drivers need to ensure they are taking care of their machinery with the right kinds of oils that allow the engine to work at maximum capacity with ease. In the long run, this will save car owners money on unnecessary maintenance costs that come from overuse and general wear and tear. Carefully select the right lubricant as engine care is vital for the healthy running of machines that run our everyday lives. The knowledge about the correct kinds of products should be something that consumers should be aware of.
High-quality lubricants have the best formulation and don’t allow the build-up of sticky ‘sludge’ caused by oil degradation that ruins the engine – meaning mechanical parts can move smoothly, reduce friction, and keep the engine running cool. This is the best way to keep those dashboard signals at bay.
The price is right
Don’t immediately look to save money in selecting the cheapest engine oil on the market. Often, the lowerpriced options produce harmful deposits in the engine and will cause more harm than good. Imagine eating fast food for a year rather than delicious fresh vegetables and high-quality protein. The latter is so much better for your physical and gut health and the same goes for your car. Modern engines are now operating at higher temperatures than ever before. The constant start-stop of short journeys and traffic means that the engine is constantly put under stress. This excessive heat doesn’t show up on your dashboard gauge – it’s a silent problem, deep in the engine. Lubricants play a critical part in transferring that heat away, and it’s under constant attack, causing loss of performance and damaging critical components through devastating metal-on-metal wear. There are so many engine oils on the market, it seems like a daunting task for many to know which is the right one to choose – especially when you might not know much about engine care. Many manufacturers will have a recommendation tool on their website to point you in the right direction and find the best product for your specific vehicle. This will take into consideration if you have a car, truck, motorbike, or even agricultural equipment. Now, with modern-day cars, there are so many different kinds, from old to new engines, to hybrid, electric, and automatic transmissions. Each of these has its own specific needs in which their specially formulated lubricants will work hard to protect their unique mechanics.
Take electric engines for example; for these vehicles engine oils need to deliver efficient electrical energy, whilst also targeting friction management of the driveline system. The same goes for automatic transmission systems, which have a far higher pressure on the vital parts of the engine that are not automotive.
For larger heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and commercial vehicles; high engine temperatures, oxidation, and deposits are common issues, so a lubricant that specifically targets these focus areas is of the utmost importance as they often carry heavy loads and face harsh road conditions. These kinds of lubricants should extend drain intervals, minimise wear, reduce unplanned downtime, and ultimately ensures complete operational flexibility. So, there you have it, small but simple steps to save money. Drivers need to be smarter about their vehicle care to be more costefficient. There are so many tools are your disposal to make choosing the right lubricant a less daunting task. Small adjustments, like taking the time to ensure proper maintenance, will result in long-term benefits.
