NEWS

Emirates SkyCargo reinstates dual hub operations in Dubai

n Emirates SkyCargo has announced that it will be reactivating its cargo hub in Dubai South, Emirates SkyCentral DWC, for dedicated freighter aircraft operations from 26 March 2022.

The move will mark a return to dual hub cargo operations in Dubai for the air cargo carrier after a period of nearly two years. In April 2020, Emirates SkyCargo consolidated its freighter (main deck) and passenger (bellyhold) cargo operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in light of the suspension of passenger flights during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The consolidation was aimed at streamlining and expediting the transport of essential supplies and medical items across the world.

With the growth of Emirates’ passenger network and operations, as well as the progressive increase in cargo volumes, Emirates SkyCargo will once again structure its operations across two hubs in Dubai- with Emirates SkyCentral DXB handling cargo arriving or departing on passenger aircraft and Emirates SkyCentral DWC handling cargo on freighter aircraft.

A fleet of dedicated trucks operating on a 24X7 basis will provide seamless connectivity for cargo between the two airports. For high priority cargo and urgently required commodities, Emirates SkyCargo will be able to provide a connection time of under five hours from wheels down at DXB to wheels up at DWC and vice-versa.

Saudi Arabia’s SISCO reports FY-2021 results

n Saudi Industrial Services Company (SISCO), Saudi Arabia’s leading strategic investor in ports and terminals, logistics parks and services, and water solutions, recently announced its financial results for the calendar year 2021.

Full year revenue, excluding accounting construction revenue, increased by 6.9% year-on-year to SAR 921.2mn-US$ 245.54mn (compared to FY-2020 adjusted revenue of SAR 861.6 million-US$ 229.65mn) driven by strong performance in the ports and logistics segments, the company revealed via a press communique.

Revenue for Q4-2021 decreased by 14.5% to SAR 205.1mn (US$ 54.67mn), compared to Q4-2020, due to pressure on gateway volumes across the Kingdom resulting from global logistics headwinds.

Gross profit for FY-2021 increased by 5.4% to SAR 446.5mn (US$ 119mn) largely driven by revenue growth in the ports and logistics segment. Q4-2021 gross profit decreased by 25.7% from Q4-2020 mainly due to the decline in the ports business gross profit

Reported net income for the full year period decreased by 58.5% to SAR 57.9mn (US$15.43mn), the press statement continued.

“On an adjusted basis, SISCO delivered strong top and bottom-line results in 2021, driven by market share growth in Jeddah Islamic Port for both gateway and transshipment volumes, and healthy performance in the logistics and water segments,” affirmed Mohammed Al-Mudarres, CEO, SISCO,

Key milestones during the year, in support of delivering on the strategy, including the part divestment of the Group’s direct equity stake in RSGT (Red Sea Gate Terminal), ramp-up in logistics capacity expansion by subsidiary LogiPoint, and an important independent sewage water treatment plant win by Tawzea.

Mohammed Al-Mudarres, CEO, SISCO.

Etihad Aviation Group and Al Dahra drive digital transformation

Etihad Cargo posts 49% revenue growth for 2021

n Etihad Aviation Group, incorporating the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s national airline Etihad Airways, adopted SAP Ariba solutions to consolidate procurement operations in an effort to reduce negotiation cycle time, improve user experience and introduce e-invoicing with suppliers.

With the first nine e-auctions, the organization achieved double-digit Claudio Muruzabal, SAP President Middle East, Africa, and cost savings, significantly Southern Europe. reduced its vendor count, and awarded business to more local suppliers, helping to stimulate the local economy.

“The recent global pandemic accelerated execution of our digital transformation strategy to support our growth, enhance resilience in our supply networks, and advance our social and environmental agendas,” asserted Cassie Mackie, Vice President of Sourcing and Procurement, Etihad Aviation Group. “

Al Dahra, a world-leading agribusiness, needed storage options for grain in desert conditions to support the UAE’s food security. After posting its sourcing needs on SAP Ariba Discovery, Al Dahra received in under three days 142 enquiries from suppliers around the world. An online auction created a 15 percent price reduction, it was revealed in a press communique.

“One of the key reasons why we have opted for SAP Ariba was the power of its network, the ability to source suppliers in different countries is unique. For us this is quite important on a strategic level. It gives us a lot of assurance and it helps us to comply with the growing demands of the business,” remarked Mohamad Saker, Chief Corporate Services, Al Dahra.

“SAP’s Procurement Reimagined event is providing a global platform to showcase how Middle East organizations are using SAP’s innovative procurement technologies to become Intelligent Enterprises that are more resilient, competitive and sustainable,” commented Claudio Muruzabal, SAP President Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe. n Etihad Cargo has recorded revenue growth of 49 per cent in 2021 as it continued to outperform expectations with a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in freight carried, contributing towards 55 per cent of the group’s revenue.

“2021 was a milestone year for Etihad Cargo,” noted Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales & Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group. “The Etihad Cargo team has worked closer than ever with partners and customers to address their demands and allocate necessary capacity, resulting in a record tonnage of 729,200 tonnes – the highest since 2017,” he continued.

In Q1-2021, Etihad Cargo temporarily modified five Boeing 777 aircraft to support cabinloaded cargo, operating more than 800 charter and scheduled cargo flights in the new configuration in 2021, adding capacity along key strategic routes, the carrier said in a press communique.

By mid-2021, Etihad Cargo had announced the recovery of more than 90 per cent of its network compared to pre-COVID. In total, the carrier operated more than 6,000 passenger freighters throughout the year, with freighter utilisation averaging 16.5 hours.

Premium products have also seen remarkable growth. PharmaLife, the carrier’s awardwinning pharmaceutical shipment solution, achieved a 85 per cent increase in revenue on 2020, while FreshForward, for transporting perishables, increased by 26 per cent.

With the relaxation of travel restrictions, SkyStable, the carrier’s dedicated equine transportation solution, grew by 28 per cent, and SafeGuard, for transporting valuables, increased by 103 percent compared to 2020.

Over the past year, Etihad Cargo continued to facilitate critical Covid-19 vaccine distribution which contributes to 30 per cent of its pharmaceutical shipments. Jointly with its partners at the HOPE Consortium, over 250mn Covid-19 vaccine doses have been handled to over 40 countries.

In addition, the carrier has announced exploring a proof of concept with SPEEDCARGO for using Artificial Intelligence to measure cargo dimensions and optimise space planning, which will in turn allow Etihad Cargo to improve capacity planning.

DHL opens region’s first-ever electric vehicle and battery logistics hub in Dubai

n The region’s first-ever electric vehicle (EV) and battery logistics hub is now open in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Built by DHL Global Forwarding and developed in close cooperation with the EV team of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation (CSI), the 23,500sqm warehouse includes a dedicated EV battery storage area, which will be expanded to 2,000sqm later this year.

“This Centre of Excellence supports the UAE’s and Middle East’s transition to the circular economy by ensuring a consistent supply chain for sustainable mobility solutions,” commented Fathi Tlatli, President Global Auto-Mobility Sector, DHL CSI.

EVs are a critical to decarbonize the transport sector. The EV market is expected to grow six times its size over the next 10 years, on the back of surging EV sales. More than half (55%) of new car sales by 2040 are projected to be EVs.

“Across the Middle East, DHL is meeting customer needs for EV logistics by leveraging global best practices with specific regional requirements in an agile and scalable manner,” recorded

Samer Kaissi, Country Manager, Dubai and Northern Emirates, DHL Global Forwarding.

Powered by DHL’s Team EV, EV logistics in the region can now be more flexible and agile. Compliant, safe, and scalable, DHL’s Dubai facility is custom designed for handling and storing EV material including batteries, charging equipment, and other dangerous goods, a press statement concluded.

AD Ports Group acquires Divetech Marine Engineering Services

n AD Ports Group today announced that it has acquired Divetech Marine Engineering Services, a UAE-based topside-subsea solutions provider that offers a range of services including installation, inspection, repair and maintenance for ports and other maritime organisations.

The acquisition and integration of the company into AD Ports Group will extend the range of services offered by the Group’s maritime cluster, placing it in a strong position to generate significant commercial, operational, and financial synergies.

The 100% acquisition will be fully funded from AD Ports Group’s existing cash reserves. Divetech delivered revenue of AED 87mn and EBITDA of AED 20mn in 2021.

“This acquisition also enables our Maritime Cluster to provide a fully holistic service offering that includes undersea inspection, maintenance and repair,” Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

“Divetech is a leader in diving and marine services in the UAE, with a wellrespected track record and diverse customer base. It has also delivered impressive top-line growth over the last three years,” remarked Capt. Maktoum Al Houqani, Chief Corporate Authority Officer and Acting Head of Maritime Cluster, AD Ports Group.

SAFEEN Group reinforces Harbour Fleet with addition of ‘SEMAIH’ Harbour Tug

n SAFEEN Group, the marine arm of AD Ports Group, has announced the acquisition of SEMAIH, a RAmparts 2200–Sanmar ‘SIRAPINAR’ Series ASD Harbour Tug, to expand and bolster its towage service capabilities.

Powered by a Caterpillar engine achieving a bollard pull of 50 tons ahead and 45 tons astern, the new vessel is the latest addition to SAFEEN Group’s 20-strong tugboat fleet.

The acquisition is an integral part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to expand its capabilities and exemplifies AD Ports Group’s commitment to enhance its unique maritime logistical offering with the latest vessel design and service solutions on offer within the industry.

“This tug addition strengthens our ability to meet the evolving trade demand and requests for chartering services, as well as address the increasing complexity of logistical operations across the region,” commented Captain Maktoum Al Houqani, Chief Corporate Authority Officer and Acting Head of Maritime Cluster, AD Ports Group.

“We look forward to further collaboration in the future towards reaching our mutually ambitious targets for building a more sustainable maritime future for all our customers and stakeholder,” remarked Gary Dockerty, Sales Director, Middle East and Africa, Sanmar Shipyards.

The new tug, while currently under construction at one of the tugboat manufacturer’s purpose-built, shipyards in Turkey, will be delivered to AD Ports Group in Q1-2022.

Bahri receives ISO 22301: 2019 certification for exceptional standards of business continuity

n In recognition of its commitment to adhering to the latest standards of Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) and establishing robust business continuity strategies, Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, was awarded the ISO 22301:2019 certification by the British Standards Institution (BSI) recently.

The certification highlights the strength of Bahri’s business model as well as its dynamic crisis-response strategies, especially during the pandemic period, which enabled the company to ensure uninterrupted operations and demonstrate a high level of resilience amid challenging circumstances.

“We are honoured to receive this prestigious certification as it underlines our firm commitment to ensuring business growth and excellence, operational efficiency, human resources development, and customer satisfaction,” commented Eng. Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO, Bahri.

The accomplishment follows the completion of Bahri’s intensive, bottom-up development of its Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) across its Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, and Jubail offices over several months.

The week-long intensive external audit conducted by BSI - one of the most respected and reputed management systems certification bodies in the world–recommended Bahri for the ISO 22301:2019 certification with zero non-conformances.

Valid for three years, the certification covers all the business units of Bahri, including Oil, Chemicals, Dry Bulk, Logistics, and Ship Management, as well as its support services, including Finance, IT, Corporate Services, Strategy, Internal Audit, Corporate Secretariat, and Legal Counsel, across all five GCC offices of the company.

ACWA Power inks power purchase agreement for 700 MW Ar Rass Solar PV project

n ACWA Power and the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), the principal buyer, today signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop the 700 MW Ar Rass solar photovoltaic independent power plant (IPP) in Saudi Arabia’s central Al Qassim province.

The agreement was signed in the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.

Under the terms of the agreement, ACWA Power will sell energy produced by the project to SPPC for a period of 25 years. Valued at US$450 million (SAR 1.7billion),

Ar Rass is the largest PV project that has been tendered as part of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) to date, for which ACWA Power has been earmarked to deliver 70% of the total 58.7 GW target.

ACWA Power will hold a (40.1%) stake in the facility, along with (20%) by the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a wholly owned PIF Portfolio Company, and (39.9%) will be owned by the State Power Investment Corporation from China. When fully functional, the project will produce energy to power around 132,000 homes in central Saudi Arabia.

“As Saudi Arabia’s leadership ramps up its multi- gigawatt plans for diversifying its energy mix to include renewable energy, solar power is a key component in unlocking positive economic, environmental and social outcomes, whether it is for consumer use, or in mega-projects,” stated Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman, ACWA Power.

The Ar Rass IPP is expected to reach financial close in Q4-2022.

Opportune time to invest in Saudi Arabian ports—Gulftainer

n Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is focused on leveraging the Kingdom’s strategic location to boost its role in connecting the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. It’s unique location, coupled with the Saudi Ports Authority’s recent allocation of US$ 2.4bn for investment in the development of local ports, there has never been a better time to invest in the Kingdom.

This is according to Jason French, Group CEO, Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company, a subsidiary of global port and logistics operator Gulftainer, who says that the encouragement of private investment in port infrastructure and services is key to the sustainable development of the Kingdom’s ports.

The privately owned, independent port management and logistics company, which is based in the UAE, is a prime example of the difference such investment can make – its subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company, last year invested US$ 50mn to further expand operations at Jubail Commercial Port (JCP) and boost its handling capacity to 1.8 million TEUs.

Al Jubail can be replicated. “With our extensive experience in terminal management and our focus on reliability, flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability, we have built a strong foundation of global shipping and logistics services at Al Jubail. Our ambition will be able to duplicate this across other ports and to be a catalyst in the growth of the Kingdom’s trade and economy. The ports sector in Saudi Arabia offers fantastic investment opportunities. With the right investment partners, it can truly become a launch pad for the region,” concluded French.

Bahri concludes participation in WDS 2022 with two prominent strategic agreements

n Highlighting its prominence as a reliable logistics provider with diverse capabilities, Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, concluded its successful participation in the recently concluded World Defense Show (WDS) 2022, the inaugural edition of Saudi Arabia’s global defense exhibition held in Riyadh from 6-9 March.

Bahri signed two prominent strategic partnership agreements at the event and exhibited its unique logistics solutions. The company was also the official freight forwarding partner of WDS 2022.

Bahri’s strategic partnership agreements were signed with the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) and the Saudi Maintenance and Supply Chain Management Company (SMSCMC). The agreements entail multiple long-term benefits for Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector and in line with the ambitious aspirations of Vision 2030, which seek to establish a robust logistics and transportation sector in the Kingdom.

Commenting on Bahri’s participation in WDS 2022 and its new strategic agreements, Eng. Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri, said: “We are confident that these promising opportunities will accelerate our journey of growth in line with our short- and longterm objectives.”

Bahri’s agreement with SANG was signed in the presence of HRH Abdullah Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of National Guard, and Eng. Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO, Bahri. Under the agreement, Bahri will provide logistics services to SANG, signifying a new milestone in the company’s continued support to the Kingdom’s security forces.

The agreement was signed jointly by Jeremy Charmak, CEO, SMSCMC and Eng. Abdullah Aldubaikhi. The partnership represents the shared commitment of both companies to create jobs and improve the capabilities of the Saudi nationals and enable their career growth.

FarEye introduces new sustainability capabilities to minimize CO2 emissions

n FarEye, a global SaaS platform provider transforming last-mile logistics, recently announced several new capabilities for more environmentally sustainable delivery operations, route optimization, and consumer experience.

New capabilities across FarEye’s Intelligent Delivery Management Platform are designed to help customers boost delivery efficiency, enable green fleets, and gain visibility into outcomes of sustainability initiatives.

“In 2021, customers that used our platform collectively helped reduce carbon footprint by 40,961 tons. We see this number continue to increase as our customers adopt and use these new capabilities across first, mid, and last mile in their delivery network,” remarked Suvrat Joshi, Chief Product Officer, FarEye.

FarEye’s four new sustainability capabilities have been developed to help both shippers and carriers minimize CO2 emissions throughout their logistics operations, addressing end consumers’ desire to have their online orders delivered on time and with minimal or zero carbon emissions.

These features include the Green Vehicle Route Planning that enables customers to design and plan last-mile delivery of products with an intelligent mix of green fleets (cargo bikes, bikes and foot delivery); Long-Haul Truck Route Planning that allows carriers to design optimal multi-day, long-haul trucking routes to minimize idling times, avoid roadblocks and reduce fuel consumption.

The Sustainability Dashboard provides a visual representation specifically measuring carbon footprint KPIs for the customer, helping them understand carbon emissions breakdown by mode, route, carrier.

The dashboards are designed to scale to be granular enough to measure package-level emissions. The dashboard also provides the ability to track and control CO2 emissions across all modes of transportation (road, rail, ocean and air) and benchmark third-party carriers and routes with the least CO2 emissions.

Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated new infrastructure projects in Djibouti

n The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) recently inaugurated two new development projects in the water and housing sector and laid the foundation stone for a project in the transportation sector in Djibouti, with a total amount of US$ 137mn.

During an official visit to the East African nation, Saudi Fund for Development CEO, Sultan Bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, met with the President of the Republic of Djibouti HE Ismail Omar Guelleh to discuss the projects financed by SFD for economic and social development worth US$ 305mn since 1982.

As part of the visit, Al-Marshad and the Prime Minister of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, inaugurated a new project to supply clean drinking water to 45,000 people in the coastal Province of Obock.

Funded with a grant of US$ 10 million provided by Saudi Arabia through the SFD, it will involve the construction of 105km of water pipes and eight water tanks to pump clean water from the Bissidiro region.

The SFD CEO and Prime Minister also laid a foundation stone to upgrade 60km of the Djibouti-Galafi arterial road, which was originally funded by Saudi Arabia through the SFD, with US$ 120mn.

“The Saudi Fund for Development has an established track record in supporting sustainable economic and social initiatives in developing nations. We are pleased to provide ongoing socioeconomic support to our brothers in Djibouti in line with UN Sustainability Development Goals,” commented Al Marshad.

Emirates Building System fast tracks Pharmaceutical Warehouse Project

n Emirates Building Systems (EBS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, and one of the leading manufacturers of steel structures in the Middle East, has successfully completed the pharmaceutical warehouse project for G42 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company located in the KIZAD Life Science Park Phase 1 within three months.

The fast-tracked project scope included the supply of 3500MT of steel and accessories inclusive of engineering, procurement, fabrication, supply, installation and fireproofing of the structural steel works.

The Company worked closely with the main contractor to complete the project in the stipulated timeframe. The warehouse spread across three levels is 50m wide, 140m in length, and 30m in height.

“Incorporating the most advanced technologies in design, fabrications, and planning which are increasing the overall productivity, we are able to successfully execute fast track projects and this project is one of them, where we successfully managed the entire scope within a period of 3 months,” commented Joseph Chidiac, General Manager, Emirates Building Systems.

Among the major projects currently being executed by EBS include Jafza Logistic Park, steam turbine buildings in Solar Parks Dubai; warehouses for Abu Dhabi Ports authorities, and development projects in Algeria, among many others from multiple countries.

Noon.com opens the largest Customer Fulfillment Centre in Saudi Arabia

n noon.com, the Middle East’s leading digital e-commerce platform, recently opened its largest warehouse space in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of its ongoing expansion of the logistics and fulfillment network in the Kingdom.

The new ‘Customer Fulfillment Centre’, which spans over 45,000sqm, will enable the rapid delivery of products to millions of customers throughout Saudi Arabia. Noon’s logistics and fulfillment network in the Kingdom has grown to more than 270,000sqm, including CFCs, last-mile hubs, and many gateway hubs.

“noon is committed to enabling the development of systems that contribute to maximizing economic impact and investment across the Kingdom, while also creating increased employment opportunities in our local communities,” commented Ahmed Gadouri, noon KSA.

“Our in-house logistics and fulfillment network is critical in driving speed and efficiency to support an ever-improving customer experience,” he continued.

Noon continues to develop its delivery operations and services across the Middle East, creating possibilities for local talent to thrive, a press statement concluded.

Halliburton opens first oilfield Specialty Chemical Manufacturing Reaction Facility in Saudi Arabia

n Halliburton recently celebrated the opening of the Halliburton Chemical Reaction Plant – the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to manufacture a broad range of chemicals for the entire oil and gas value chain as well as many other industries.

The facility expands Halliburton’s manufacturing footprint in the Eastern Hemisphere and strengthens and accelerates its ability to serve the chemical needs of Middle East customers, the company said in a press communique.

“This world-class plant is part of our more than US$ 1bn commitment to Saudi Arabia over the past ten years. It further increases our in-country presence and supports the In Kingdom Total Value Add program by providing new opportunities to local suppliers, vendors, other manufacturing partners, and the local workforce,” commented Jeff Miller, Chairman, President, and CEO, Halliburton.

In addition to manufacturing, the facility allows Halliburton to expand its specialty chemicals research and applications for oilfield stimulation and production. Also, Halliburton now can better serve the region’s industrial water and process treatment markets, including refineries, petrochemical plants, and other heavy industrial operations.

“The new downstream industries envisioned for PlasChem Park are vital for the future of the Kingdom’s chemicals and petrochemicals industry. The inauguration of the Halliburton Chemical Reaction Plant will help realize the Kingdom’s Downstream Initiative, combining global expertise with the special chemicals that Sadara produces,” remarked Dr. Faisal Al-Faqeer. CEO, Sadara Chemical Company.

The facility opens contract manufacturing and tolling opportunities to support Saudi agriculture, mining, personal care and other industries. Located at the PlasChem Park in Jubail, the plant advances Halliburton’s growing presence and commitment to provide enhanced research and development and technical solutions to the local market.

Halliburton formally opened its chemical reaction plant with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Other dignitaries present included Saudi Aramco Vice President of Unconventional Resources, Khalid Al-Abdulqader; Saudi Aramco Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Mohammad Al Shammary; Royal Commission CEO, Dr. Ahmed AlHussain; Saudi Aramco Senior Vice President of Upstream, Nasir Al-Naimi; Saudi Aramco Executive Director of Petroleum Engineering & Development, Waleed Al-Mulhim and Saudi Aramco Vice President of Drilling & Workover AbdulHameed Al-Rushaid.

alfanar invests US$ 1.33bn to produce 180mnL of sustainable aviation fuel annually

n As part of his recent official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and during his visit to the Sabic Development Centre in Riyadh, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the stand of alfanar where company officials briefed him and provided an outline of their project in Teesside, North East of the UK, where the company is investing one billion UK Pounds in the ‘Lighthouse Green Fuel’ project to produce sustainable aviation fuel from waste.

The project, which is the first of its kind in the UK, produces more than 180mn litres of sustainable aviation fuel annually in the United Kingdom. This amount of sustainable aviation fuel is sufficient to operate 15,000 flights per year, reducing harmful carbon emissions from conventional fuels by more than 700,000 tons annually.

The project is part of alfanar’s ongoing Green Energy Development Programme in different parts of the world, including Spain, India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Bosch to invest on extending semiconductor production in Reutlingen, Germany

n In a move to combat the ongoing global chip shortage, Bosch plans to further extend its wafer fab in Reutlingen, Germany.

More than a quarter of a billion euros is to be invested in creating new production space and the necessary clean-room facilities between now and 2025. This will give Bosch the firepower to meet the continuously growing demand for chips used in mobility and IoT applications.

“We are systematically expanding our manufacturing capacity for semiconductors in Reutlingen,” commented Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch.

“This new investment will not only strengthen our competitive position but will also benefit our customers and help combat the crisis in the semiconductor supply chain,” he continued.

The construction of a new extension in Reutlingen will create an additional 3,600sqm of ultramodern clean-room space. As of 2025, this additional capacity will produce semiconductors based on technology already in place at the Reutlingen plant.

Bosch is also extending an existing power supply facility and will construct an additional building for media supply systems serving both the new and existing production areas. The new production area is scheduled to go into operation in 2025.

“AI methods combined with connectivity have helped us achieve continuous, data-driven improvement in manufacturing and thereby produce better and better chips,” remarked Markus Heyn, Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch and Chairman of the Mobility Solutions Business Sector.

The further expansion of the Reutlingen site will primarily serve the growing demand for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS sensors), in the automotive and consumer sectors and for silicon-carbide power semiconductors.

New FedEx study underscores priorities for Gen Z in the UAE

n FedEx Express recently revealed the findings of its ‘Future is Now’ Study among Gen Z (18-24 years old).

As one of the most dynamic emerging markets worldwide, the UAE is home to a vibrant young population, and the study offers valuable insights into the priorities of the younger generation in the country, a press communique stated.

This is particularly true for Gen Z. According to the ‘Future is Now’ study, 35% of Gen Z respondents associated the phrase ‘Future is Now’ with technology advances in business, healthcare, education, and transportation, 33% to sustainable development, 20% to the rise in the use of robotics and artificial intelligence, 8% to expecting everything to be personalized for them, and a mere 4% to living on Mars.

“As an industry leader, we have a responsibility towards the next generations and take bold actions by constantly innovating to meet future expectations,” observed Jack Muhs, Regional president of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

The study indicated that 24% of Gen Z respondents stated they would consider a company’s sustainability agenda and its way of conducting business as a critical measure for choosing work, while an equal percentage (24%) viewed the adoption and use of technology as most important. 98% of Gen Z respondents also agreed that sustainability would be an indispensable part of their business in the future, and 94% agreed that being ‘planetconscious’ is integral to a futuristic outlook.

Alfa Laval committed to sustainability pledges in the Middle East

n Alfa Laval recently hosted a net-zero insight and innovation event, hosted under the theme ‘Innovation that accelerates sustainable solutions’ with engaging discussions around the newest challenges faced by the industries Alfa Laval operates in.

With a spectacular line-up of speakers and presentations, the event sparked innovation imagination on the need to decarbonize the global economy while also producing more energy to meet growing demand.

“We value long-lasting partnerships with our customers and actively collaborate on industry leading net-zero practices,” confirmed Sergio Hicke, President, India, Middle East & Africa, Alfa Laval. “Solving challenges for businesses sparks our imagination and we constantly find innovative ways to assist in the transition away from the carbon economy,” he added.

Energy efficiency, clean energy, and the circular economy are the core of Alfa Laval’s sustainability offering in the Middle East, and the heart of what the company can help its customers achieve.

Alfa Laval’s heat transfer and separation technologies have an immediate and sustained effect on the need to meet increasing energy demands and dramatically reduce carbon emissions, a press communique continued.

Alfa Laval is proactively leading a reduction in carbon emissions for Middle Eastern governments, supporting the ambitious net-zero targets in the region. With the UAE pledging net-zero by 2050 and Saudi Arabia by 2060, Alfa Laval reduces carbon emissions in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, reducing cost for businesses with industry leading energy-efficiency.

World Defense Show concludes first edition with US$ 7.92bn in deals

n Following four trade days that brought together 600 defense and security exhibitors from 42 countries, the fourday World Defense Show (6 to 9 March 2022) concluded its first edition in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh recording SAR29.7bn (US$ 7.9bn) in deals.

Founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the world’s first show focused on defense interoperability received 80 global military delegations, 65,000 visits and representation from 85 countries from east to west.

“The networking, knowledgesharing and commercial relationships established through the World Defense Show platform will spur a new era of investment and growth for Saudi Arabia’s defense and security industry bringing us closer to achieving our target of localizing more than 50% of the Kingdom’s military expenditure by 2030,” observed Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor, GAMI.

As the regulator, enabler and licensor of Saudi Arabia’s defense sector, GAMI worked with partners to review contracts announced at the show, with detailed evaluation of technical specifications in line with international standards, ensuring spending efficiency and operational readiness.

The 2022 edition of World Defense Show was packed with industry-leading networking programs and demonstrations. From creating business opportunities through the ‘Meet the Buyer’ programme to thought-provoking initiatives such as International Women in Defense and Future Talent, the show paved the way for further collaboration, sector growth and human capital development a press communique concluded.

The second edition of the biennial WDS will be hosted in Riyadh between 3 to 6 March 2024.

Unilever separates tea business to form eaters

n Unilever recently announced the separation of its tea business as a standalone organisation.

The new tea company, now known as ekaterra, is well positioned in an attractive market to accelerate its future growth, and to lead the category’s sustainable development.

A facility in Dubai will house both, a corporate head office for ekaterra’s Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET) region as well as a strategically positioned manufacturing complex, the Lipton Jebel Ali (LJA) factory.

With over 23 years of operations and huge direct investment in the UAE, this factory produces a variety of tea brands serving the region and which are exported across 50+ countries in 6 continents.

The LJA factory is Unilever’s 1st carbon neutral site since 2019 and ekaterra remains keen on reducing the facility’s contribution to CO2 emissions in the region by shifting to the use of solar energy in the future.

As the first factory in the UAE to achieve a ‘Zero-Waste-To-Landfill’ status as early as 2014, this new facility has been designed to ensure minimal environmental impact, supporting the UAE’s vision on sustainable development goals.

“The journey to maintain our leadership starts with the cup, hence, to further our commitment to consumer quality in the new facilities we have significantly enhanced our capabilities to plan, monitor and ensure only the best cup of tea is served to our consumers,” said Abhiroop Chuckarbutty, ekaterra President, AMET, at the inauguration of ekaterra facilities.

Wayout International to revolutionize water supply

n Wayout International brought the latest in digitized eco-friendly water systems at Expo 2020’s Swedish Pavilion to demonstrate how clean technology is being applied to support communities.

A single Wayout system can supply 3,000 people with clean and safe daily drinking and cooking water with zero by-product, while helping to eliminate the use of approximately 6.5mn plastic bottles and prevent the release of 536 MT of carbon dioxide emissions yearly.

The ‘smart’ system stores data on water purity in a digital chip and communicates essential information and consumption data to the user and operator, allowing users to monitor their water drinking habits and the purity of the water consumed.

By installing Wayout’s digitized eco-friendly water systems, including its Smart Pods and Kegs, consumers will transform the area’s water supply and provide a more eco-friendly, smart, and healthier offering for residents in a city that pioneers in sustainable urban development.

The discussions will be led by renowned experts and personalities including ocean explorer and world record free diver William Winram, Wayout’s Founder and Creative Director; Martin Renck, and Executive Director, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Yousuf Lootah, among others.

“Through our discussions in water week, we aim to bring together the heads of innovation to spark a conversation on the importance of innovation for sustainable water solutions commented Renck.

Wayout provides innovative, minimal eco-footprint water systems that distribute scientifically perfected, safe drinking water locally across many markets. The company works to challenge water scarcity through affordable sustain-tech solutions that provide access to 100 percent locally sourced, pure and safe drinking water for schools, corporations, home use, hotels and restaurants, a press communique concluded.

SirajPower to help Al Ghurair Trading reduce their carbon footprint

n SirajPower recently announced another significant solar partnership for a 2 MWp solar rooftop system with Al Ghurair Trading, a pioneer organization in real estate warehousing.

As part of this partnership, SirajPower will provide their industry-leading end-toend service, which includes financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a 2MWp solar rooftop plant at one of Al Ghurair’s largest warehouse facilities in Al Quoz, which covers a 16,682sqm.

“This solar rooftop project will help offset a substantial portion of Al Ghurair’s energy needs whilst also providing the owners and tenants with a clean source of power,” commented Mohammed Abdulghaffar Hussain, Chairman, SirajPower.

Due to the significant size of the warehouse, the project will utilize over 3,000 solar panels to generate 3.5 GWh of clean energy annually, equivalent to nearly 2,480MT of CO2 emissions offset by almost 41,014 tree seedlings grown for a decade.

Based on the facility’s current production output and consumption, the solar rooftop plant is expected to generate more than 60% of the facility’s annual energy requirements, drastically reducing Al Ghurair Trading’s reliance on conventional electricity.

“SirajPower’s unrivaled portfolio made them the ideal partner to help us build, operate, and maintain our first solar rooftop warehouse,” remarked Ali Al Ghurair, Chairman, Al Ghurair Trading.

Turkish Cargo gets Quality Certification from Cargo iQ

Certification is a critical independent benchmark for the carrier’s performance

Turkish Cargo now has its global operations and services certified by the coveted Cargo iQ Certificate.

The carrier attributes obtaining the certification to the company’s accomplishments, capabilities, innovations and new initiatives.

The top airline became has been recognized by Cargo iQ, an IATA (International Air Transport Association) interest group with the mission of creating and implementing quality standards for the worldwide air cargo industry.

Comprehensive inspection

As part of the Cargo iQ requirements, all processes, including conformity of its operational processes, the services it offers to its customers and the quality management in general terms, of Turkish Cargo, have undergone an inspection by SGS, the independent inspection company based in Geneva and contracted by the IATA.

Consequently, the comprehensive inspection was conducted accordingly, the processes and services, carried out meticulously by Turkish Cargo, have been determined to be compliant with the quality standards of Cargo iQ.

“The Cargo iQ certificate, an independent benchmark for our performance consistent with the quality standards of the logistics industry, is a key milestone that denotes our service quality, operational excellence, our standards that are innovative and aimed at meeting the customers’ expectations, and adherence to sustainable goals and commitments,” affirmed Turhan Ozen, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines.

Reliable solutions partner

“Thanks to the cutting-edge technologies it uses and develops, and the innovative approaches it adopts and its service quality that is beyond the expectations, Turkish Cargo will continue to rank among the most reliable solution partners in the air cargo industry,” he added.

“We are gratified that Cargo iQ has issued the Quality Audit Certificate to the team of Turkish Cargo. The external auditor and industry regulator has verified and confirmed that Turkish Cargo is complying with the process standards created by Cargo iQ for all our members and for the air cargo industry at large,” asserted Lothar Moehle, Executive Director, Cargo iQ.

“I would like to commend hard work of the entire Turkish Cargo team. As the quality work never stops, we are looking forward to cooperating with the TK Cargo team on even further quality improvements in the future,” he concluded.

Turhan Ozen, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines.

Operational capabilities

Achieving sustainable growth with its infrastructure, operational capabilities, fleet and expert teams in the field, Turkish Cargo aims to become one of the top three air cargo brands in the world.

Within this framework, Turkish Cargo has been innovating by developing pioneering projects in the field of digitalization to meet the needs of its customers and industry partners to deliver sustainable high-end services in a constantly changing world.

As a mega airline, with air cargo operations to more than 340 destinations, 98 of which are cargo-only destinations, in 132 countries around the world, Turkish Cargo operates with its fleet of 373 aircraft, 20 of which are freighters, at its hub in Istanbul that connects the continents with its strategic importance.

Turkish Cargo, the fastest growing and developing air cargo brand of the world, aims to become one of the top three air cargo brands in 2025.

Bright future for the Facilities Management sector predicted in the region

MEFMA recognised leading contributors of the industry at MEFMA Awards of Excellence

The Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) recently concluded its CONFEX 2022, the region’s largest facility management (FM) event. The event ended on a high note with industry leaders and experts coming together to identify new opportunities and prospects for the future of the FM industry, a press communiqué stated.

The MEFMA CONFEX 2022 took place from March 14 to 17, with the participation of over 500 industry professionals, experts, and government representatives. Eng. Dawood Abdul Rahman Al Hajri, Director General, Dubai Municipality, led the inauguration ceremony, which was followed by a series of workshops, presentations, and panel discussions on industry-related topics.

The welcome address by Jamal Lootah, Co-Founder and President, MEFMA, highlighted the FM market’s potential for rapid growth due to the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in operations, and how MEFMA promotes growth through such events.

FM Initiatives

The first day of the event included a series of workshops that presented the latest FM initiatives in digital building and artificial intelligence for the future of FM.

The second day of the event featured a wide range of segments, with industry professionals providing insights on key topics through panel discussions, namely ‘FM Transformation Strategy–What Does it Take’ and ‘Technology and Data Driven Facility Management–The Core of Business Excellence and Sustainability.’

Additionally, the event featured case studies that highlighted concepts such as the technological transformation in FM and the leadership roles towards adopting technology.

The 3rd and 4th days of the CONFEX consisted of site visits to the ongoing EXPO 2020 Dubai, where participants interacted at various pavilions to gain insight and inspiration.

Awards of Excellence

This year’s event was also highlighted by the very first MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM 2022. The MEFMA Awards were launched with a vision to promote best practices in the FM industry and drive innovation in the coming years. The awards covered various categories such as Customercentric FM, Digital Transformation, Education and Development, Health and Safety, Sustainability and Energy Management, and Technology Implementation in FM industry.

The winners of the MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM 2022 included Musanadah Facilities Management in the Customer-centric FM category; Emrill Services in the Education and Development in FM category; AG Facilities in the Health and Safety in FM category; ENGIE Solutions in the Sustainability and Energy Management in FM category; Initial Saudi Group in the Digital Transformation in FM category; and Imdaad in the Technology Implementation in FM category.

Showcasing dedication

“As part of our first MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM 2022 ceremony, we are proud that we have successfully recognized and rewarded members for showcasing their dedication to the industry. We congratulate all the winners and encourage all to keep working with the same spirit,” observed Lootah.