With a complete line-up of AWD and PWD versions and the the 16-speed HI-TRONIX automated gearbox, the IVECO T-WAY features a host of functionalities such as Rocking Mode, Off-road Mode, Creeping Mode and 4 reverse gears to tackle with ease the toughest off-road conditions. The new architecture of the EBS system, combined with disc brakes on all wheels, greatly improves the vehicle’s performance and the driver’s safety in the most demanding applications.
The new IVECO S-WAY, with a completely redesigned and reinforced cab, offers a wide choice of Euro III/V diesel engines, a delivering class-leading power from 360 HP to 560 HP Euro III / 570 HP Euro V and superior fuel-saving devices, such as anti-idling feature, Ecoswitch, Ecoroll and Smart Alternator, 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission with the most advanced technology in its category, electronic clutch and best-in-class torque-to-weight ratio.
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There is no doubt that road and land freight transport is the backbone of trade and commerce and an indispensable, integral component of cargo movements in logistics and supply chain domain. Trucks and commercial vehicles haul a lion’s share of all freight transported over land in almost every country on the planet.
Commercial tucks and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) are here to stay and their dominance in the land transport segment is not going to end anytime soon.
It is against this backdrop that IVECO takes the spotlight for the Cover Story for this current April 2023 Edition of Global Supply Chain. This dual Amsterdam and Turin, Italy-headquartered multinational vehicle manufacturing company designs and builds highly sophisticated and dependable light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
Global Supply Chain highlights the track record and the forays of this notable, extraordinarily distinguished manufacturer notably in our part of the world in an exclusive, exhaustive interview with the long-serving Marco Torta, Sales Manager, Middle East and Gulf, IVECO
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Qatar Airways Cargo has had a rewarding business run and currently flying high. To explain the remarkable performance, we engaged one-on-one with Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways, for the lowdown on the carrier’s stellar report.
Elsewhere, Dubai’s top LSP (logistics services provider) and freight forwarder MRC Shipping & Logistics won a top key recognition. Recently, at the World Cargo Alliance’s (WCA) 25th Annual Worldwide Conference held in Singapore in mid-February 2023, the company was awarded the ‘WCA Certificate of Excellence for the Best Middle East Partner 2022’ Award. We have an exclusive tête-à-tête with Mirshad Moopen, Managing Director
Our contributor Brian Cartwright, Client Partner, Global Supply Chain Solutions, Pedersen & Partners, recently had the opportunity to catch up with Ingo Kloepper, Global Managing Director, WeFreight, in Dubai. Read on.
Outside of the logistics and supply chain realm, we had a delightful, interesting interview with Audrey Serdjebi, Chairwoman, of the Paris-based Lemon Queen Communications Agency. Audrey talks of a new paradigm in the communications-air freight interface.
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Malcolm Dias Editormalcolm@signaturemediame.com
26 WeFreight Exclusive
An exclusive interview with Ingo Kloepper, Global Managing Director, WeFreight.
30 Lemon Queen Exclusive
An exclusive with Audrey Serdjebi, Chairwoman.
32 OpEd-Tevva Electric Trucks
UK government support needed to accelerate electric truck adoption.
34 Amazon FC
Opens a new Fulfillment Centre in Dubai South.
36 Twintec
Making forays in Kenya.
38 OpEd—Tom Craig
Resolving the container rates conundrum.
40 United Trans-RTA
UAE leads the way in on-demand public transportation in the ME.
42 OpEd-Sustainability
Dr Shereen Nassar, Heriot Watt University Dubai on going green.
44 UD Trucks—Allison Transmission
Presenting cutting edge technologies for commercial vehicles.
46 News Up to date news of the Global Suppy Chain industry
IVECO revving up investments to provide tailor-made solutions and sophisticated commercial vehicles for its customers
Committed to safe, ef cient and sustainable mobility, IVECO works to develop technological solutions that respect both people and the environment. IVECO initiated and took an early lead in the development of alternative drive systems for over 30 years, explained a senior company of cial from the regional UAE Of ce in an exclusive interview with Global Supply Chain.
Sales Manager, Middle East and Gulf, IVECO
Marco Torta has been associated with IVECO’s Middle East-Gulf Offices for the past over thirteen and half years. Torta has held multiple positions during his tenure in the region—a vast geographical expanse. He was earlier the Area Manager for the Middle East overseeing UAE, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and African countries Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, and Morocco.
Aformidable, premium, highly regarded, brand name to reckon with in the domain of sturdy, dependable commercial trucks and vehicles with multiple heavy industry applications, IVECO comes with strong industry recognition.
Truck manufacturer IVECO comes with proven, demonstrable, professional credentials. IVECO is one of the few international elite OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to cover all land transport segments comprehensively and exhaustively from light to medium and heavy, including special, on-road and off-road commercial vehicles for multiple industrial verticals.
IVECO, the King of the Roads, is the acronym for Industrial Vehicles Corporation, an Italian multinational transport vehicle manufacturing company. It designs and builds light, medium, and heavy commercial vehicles. The name IVECO first appeared in 1975 and since served to symbolize strength, trustworthiness, power, vigour and resilience among other proven attributes.
Marco Torta, Sales Manager, Middle East and Gulf, IVECO, is clearly in the driving seat for the company in the region. The veteran, long-serving Dubai, UAE-based official spoke expansively and extensively to Global Supply Chain on a wide range of subjects from the manufacturer’s origins and track history in this geography, its current performance, the extent of its vast portfolio of reliable commercial trucks and his vision, both long and short-term, for the company’s future.
The following are the transcripts of that exclusive interview.
Global Supply Chain (GSC): Briefly trace your company’s origins in the Middle East and East Africa and update us on how you have evolved and now positioned in the region?
Marco Torta (MT): IVECO is an integral brand of the IVECO Group NV. IVECO designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, and vehicles for applications such as off-road missions.
IVECO’s presence in Africa and Middle East draws on an important and rich heritage dating back to the Fiat 682. Since the launch of the first truck in Africa in the early 1960s, the brand has always been synonymous with
reliability and quality.
Today, thanks to a full range of commercial vehicles, IVECO’s capabilities have surged and presently the company can accommodate every mission from urban and international delivery, freight transportation to construction, mining and quarry sectors.
GSC: How important is the Middle East, GCC and East Africa geography for IVECO and how is the brand faring in sales in the region?
MT: In the IVECO vision and context, the Middle East is a crucial area due to its strategic position; the natural crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, and home to many logistics companies. The region is also endowed with plenty of natural resources.
Even until recently, owing primarily to the fallout of the pandemic, the situation in the Gulf has been subject to economic and political instability which has slowed down the commercial vehicles market growth.
Notwithstanding, IVECO continued to invest in the area providing tailor-made solutions for our customers. keeping always in mind that providing the perfect vehicle for customer needs is our main goal and key objective.
To consolidate our leadership in the Gulf region and to keep growing in the rest of the Middle East, we started to improve light range sales considering the big potential of
the existing market and understanding the real needs of the customers.
GSC: Which are among the top three countries for IVECO in the region?
MT: The major markets in the region are Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Egypt, Qatar, and Oman in that order. We have a long-lasting
core business in all the major markets in the Middle East. The needs of fleets are changing as are the types of vehicles required and IVECO’s off-highway and onhighway ranges offer a superior offer choice for fleet owners.
IVECO is particularly strong in both the off-road construction segment mainly Tippers, Pumps and Cement Mixers.
Recently, IVECO launched the new IVECO T-WAY the toughest vehicle engineered for the most extreme off-road missions and the new IVECO S-WAY the driver-centric long-haul truck. The IVECO T-WAY is the offroad vehicle designed and engineered for the toughest missions in the most extreme conditions, which takes over from the legendary TRAKKER.
relationship with many customers in the regions because IVECO is a tried and trusted name and appreciated for reliability of its vehicles and the professionalism of the team.
GSC: What is your range of commercial vehicles; what are some of your recent introductions and which are among your top selling models in the region?
MT: The Heavy range represents IVECO’s
It introduced a new HI-TRONIX automated transmission with functions specifically developed for off-road mobility. The new rear disc brakes, heavy-duty rear suspension system for Tandem axles, lower kerb weight and a host of features such as the off-road mode, together with ESP, Hill Holder and high-comfort cab add up to outstanding efficiency, comfort, and safety.
IVECO completed the IVECO WAY heavy range with the IVECO S-WAY, the on-road truck developed to deliver a complete package of features focused on the driver, on efficiency and manufactured for business returns and providing value-for-money.
IVECO since 1975 served to symbolize strength, trustworthiness, power, vigour and resilience among other proven attributes.
The IVECO S-WAY delivers a fuel efficiency increase of up to 4% with a new engine line-up, a redesigned cabin and advanced features, further reducing its Total Cost of Ownership and raising the stakes on business productivity.
Additionally, the garbage collection and the general municipalities business harness the entire ‘Eurocargo’ range, that finds its natural habitat between 12T and 18T GVW because of its advantageous characteristics.
In general, and due to the wide line up offered, IVECO is able to cover all the main segments in the region from mining and quarry, to construction, contracting companies, logistics and transport, municipality and tenders. In the meanwhile, medium and light ranges are gaining momentum and play a relevant role in the market, experiencing a constant growth among UAE customers.
In particular, the Daily Hi-Matic will be available in the near future on Euro V markets (UAE), version equipped with carlike automatic gearboxes that will enrich an already big Daily range offer covering the segment from 3.5T till 7.2T with Panes Van and Chassis cab models.
GSC: Tell us about the IVECO S-Way and T-Way....their characteristics and highlights…. when do you propose to introduce the model in the region? MT: Aerodynamic solutions, new cab interiors fuel-saving technologies and tools, existing and brand-new services have been designed to offer our customers the most advanced, comfortable and productive IVECO heavy-range ever.
A complete portfolio has been designed to offer an unprecedented mix of value for the driver, and value for the owner. A mix that represents ‘The IVECO Way’, our answer to the heavy transport requirements of the next decade.
With the launch, IVECO now offers a complete line-up for every heavy-duty mission: The T-WAY is the toughest vehicle on the heavy market that takes performance, reliability and versatility to the extreme; the S-WAY ON is designed for long haulage on highway where fuel economy is key; the S-WAY ON+ is designated for regional and light off-road mission, the perfect trade-off between performance and reliability.
The S-WAY OFF is the hybrid between S-WAY and T-WAY which replaces the Trakker
4x2 rigid and articulated. The first S-WAY units were available in the markets starting in the first half of 2022, and the T-WAY will subsequently follow.
GSC: What prospects do you foresee for these models in the region?
MT: The products we present now are the symbol and the nucleus of our re-creation and re-invention. The new Heavy Range is our new business opportunity for the next decade, collecting the improvements and modifications of years to win the future challenges and positioning ourselves as market leaders.
IVECO now offers a complete, renewed line-up for both off and on-road missions.
GSC: What are your expansion plans for the region, and do you have / plan to set up a manufacturing plant in the region?
MT: Our expansion plan is to focus on the customer satisfaction and on the increasing of services. IVECO products raise the productivity beyond all limits, while further reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and minimizing running costs.
IVECO now offers a complete, renewed line-up for both off and on-road missions.
GSC: What opportunities and challenges for the present and future do you foresee going forward?
MT: The IVECO objective and commitment is to define a strategic approach to the market in order to exploit all possible market opportunities.
We are working hard on exhaustive markets studies to get the data and information to build up the perfect customized solutions for our customers in every country of Middle East we operate in. The perfect vehicle for each customer is our main goal. IVECO already gained many results in terms of customer satisfaction and want to improve in the future.
GSC: What are IVECO’s brand strengths and how are you leveraging these to gain a larger market share?
MT: IVECO is one of the few OEMs to cover all sectors from light to medium & heavy, including special, on-road and off-road vehicles.
Committed to safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility, IVECO works to develop technological solutions that respect both people and the environment. IVECO has been investing in the development of alternative drive systems for over 30 years.
GSC: Do you customize vehicles for specific clientele?
MT: IVECO offers versatile vehicles that adapt to different missions. Furthermore, IVECO has a dedicated department that manages relationships between customers, dealers, and bodybuilders in order to develop and match the perfect solution both in terms of product and economics. The bodybuilder department supports the customers in the configuration of the vehicle from start to finish to get the best results and satisfy customer needs.
IVECO cooperates with a carefully sourced network of certified bodybuilders; however, the customer is free to choose the preferred bodybuilder and IVECO supports providing all the necessary information related to the adaptation to the truck through a dedicated bodybuilder manual.
GSC: How would you describe your partnership with your dealers in the region?
MT: The partnership with our dealers in Middle East is fundamental to our business and to our success and to customer satisfaction.
The development of the new Heavy Range as a whole has inspired improved driver experience, cut Total Cost of Ownership and therefore offer to our dealers to increase sales and competitivity in the markets, in terms of sell out and brand awareness.
IVECO WAY is solid base on which we build our success, we have to work hard together to attain the accomplishments and fulfillment that we deserve.
Let’s not forget that our success in Middle East is a matter of perseverance, dedication and commitment; thanks to our network comprising 11 dealers, 20 sales points and 38 service points IVECO can be counted among the protagonists in the commercial vehicle industry in the region.
GSC: Tell us about your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities particularly in the light of the growing public concern about sustainability and vehicle pollution and its impact on the environment?
MT: Our corporate philosophy is based on our solid vision to uphold the IVECO principles we hold dear. IVECO’s vision is to develop modes of transportation that reach their destination in the most efficient, ecological, and safe way.
The company places an emphasis on its innovative practices to enable improvement and enhancement in its technologies. Innovation follows the guiding principles of Sustainability and Customer Obsession. It is the approach adopted by IVECO in its research and development processes to develop what customers will require in the future from a vehicle.
GSC: What is the wider vision, long term and short term, for IVECO in the region?
MT: Thanks to some new trends and technologies that strongly influence the transport business as well as the truck industry, the new Heavy range is our new business opportunity, for the next decade.
We have been initiating improvements from the 2016 to 2023 Heavy trucks generations that adds on top a completely redesigned cabin and important technological innovations and inventions improving the driver needs and professional requirements.
Aramex recently announced the successful testing of its drone and roadside bot deliveries in Dubai. This is part of the Company’s ‘Future Delivery Programme’ aimed at enhancing last-mile logistics using smart shipping solutions to enable quicker, more sustainable, and cost-effective deliveries.
Initial tests were conducted at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in partnership with BARQ EV, a leading commercial drone delivery service provider in the UAE, and Kiwibot, a Colombia-based company specializing in delivery robotics.
The tests were performed with the support of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSO), Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai Smart City.
Aramex utilized the drone delivery technology provided by BARQ EV, which is capable of operating multiple and continuous flights at long-range distances and different environments. The drones are equipped with multidirectional sensors and a reliable fleet management system enabling Aramex to have high accuracy across order placements, dispatch management, drone flight routing, and deliveries.
In addition, Kiwibot’s self-driving ground delivery vehicles use a combination of high-tech sensors, cameras, radars, and artificial intelligence to navigate through surroundings and obstacles. It also utilizes an advanced GPS navigation system to generate virtual maps, establish multiple routes, and change course depending on delays or obstacles.
“The expansion of our Future Delivery Programme in the UAE is a testament to our drive to be at the forefront of lastmile delivery logistics and generate more
value for our customers by providing a faster, safer, and greener ways of delivering packages,” asserted Alaa Saoudi, Chief Operating Officer–Express, Aramex.
“The initial introduction of robotic and drone deliveries in the UAE coincides with a time of growing customer demand for fast and reliable delivery services,” remarked Angad Singh, Global Director –Innovation, Aramex.
“As one of the first commercial drone operating companies in the UAE offering drone delivery services, BARQ EV is pleased to partner with Aramex and provide them with all test flight scenarios in the UAE,” commented Ahmed Al Mazrui, CEO, BARQ EV.
“This partnership between Aramex and Kiwibot revealed a shared vision to shape
greener cities. We are committed to a zero-carbon future, seeking to enhance sustainability in the last-mile delivery and shipping industry. This pilot showed that Kiwibot is more than a delivery service, it’s also efficient in operations, with extraordinary experience and harmonious mobility capabilities,” noted Felipe Chávez, CEO and Co-Founder, Kiwibot.
“As RIT Dubai is building centres of energy and sustainability, smart cities, and innovation and entrepreneurship, our partnership with Aramex aligns to achieve the vision of these centres,” observed Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President, RIT, Dubai.
This initiative follows Aramex’s successful test of autonomous drone delivery in Muscat, Oman. Aramex plans to expand its drone and robot delivery testing across the Middle East and Africa region, as well as other core markets where it operates.
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With an overall eye-watering tonnage of more than 1.7 million tonnes in 2022, Qatar Airways Cargo effectively and successfully managed a broad range of shipments, many demanding and challenging, the carrier’s performance is flying into the record books.
It has been a rewarding and productive year for Qatar Airways Cargo in 2022. The carrier successfully adopted and applied the ‘Next Generation Revenue Management’ Vision powered by Wiremind to all its areas of business and the results are there for all to see. It brought in enhancements to its services and operations, accelerating the carrier’s Digital Transformation process.
Global Supply Chain engaged exclusively with Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways, for an extensive interview on a broad array of subjects ranging from the reasons for their stellar performance in 2002 to the introduction of ground-breaking concepts, especially the ‘Next Generation’ Vision. The following are the transcripts of the interview.
GSC: The past Year 2022 was a year of great accomplishments for Qatar Airways Cargo. Briefly, enumerate the achievements?
Guillaume Halleux (GH): Firstly, the ‘Next Generation’ has been a milestone, a turning point in our development and the way cargo business is done.
We introduced Digital Lounge, which offers customers a more connected and improved e-booking experience and is part of our omni-channel strategy where we also offer users access to three other booking platforms, namely WebCargo, CargoAI and CargoOne.
We launched two chapters for WeQareChapter 3, Let’s Stand Together, was about collecting donations for children; and Chapter 4 called Diversity, celebrated our highly diverse team in the form of a livery on our Boeing 777 freighter, showing the portraits of selected staff.
We are also one of the first airlines to gain the CEIV Lithium Batteries certification which is a rightful recognition of our active and vocal involvement in the issue of lithium batteries transportation.
Other successes include the order of 50 777-8 freighters, expanding our commitment to the Boeing 777X family. The 777- 8 freighter will be the world’s largest twin-engine cargo jet with the highest payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions, and operating costs and developing a strong relationship
Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airwayswith ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), providers in 2022 and expanding our cargo fleet by introducing 2x74Y,1x77X and 1x31Y, allowing us to expand to new cargo markets.
Furthermore, we expanded our freighter capacity in the Middle East, with the launch of structural 77X operations to Dubai and Riyadh. We also initiated new partnership agreements, providing a broader destination portfolio to our customers. As examples, we have partnered on the passenger side with Malaysian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Finnair, as well as with China Airlines, providing us with reliable capacity at Taipei and expanding our presence in Asia with block space agreements (BSA).
Finally, Qatar Airways Cargo won ‘Air Cargo Week’s Cargo Airline of the Year’ Award for the second year in a row and also received the Development2030 Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year at Aidex 2022.
2022 has certainly been a year of opportunities and we are proud of the results. Our tagline ‘Moved by People’ is engrained in every employee and all of these achievements would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work.
GSC: Qatar Airways Cargo played a seminal role in the transport of pharmaceutical products in 2022 and the Covid-19 period. Provide us the details.
GH: We are in constant dialogue with our freight forwarding partners, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare shippers, industry associations and NGOs and we network with them through participation in industry events and initiatives. Feedback, learning, and evolution are adopted with our own product offerings as well as in our operational procedures.
At Qatar Airways Cargo we believe in leading by anticipating current and future industry needs to develop our products and respond to these in the most extensive way. An example is the quick introduction of the QR Covid product in January 2021 to respond to urgent industry calls for a higher level of security and monitoring for the transportation of Covid-19 vaccines.
Additionally, a five-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed with UNICEF during this period to support their efforts in
vaccine distribution as well as Aid & Relief goods. During the pandemic, we were one of the few cargo carriers that continued to operate into many restricted markets and to support the movement of crucial lifesaving medicines, vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as aid and relief materials around the world. Our customer-oriented approach and commitment helped us earn the loyalty and trust of our customers who will continue to work with us post-pandemic as well for their logistics needs. Pharma & Healthcare continues to be a vital part of our future investment, business and development. So far, we have transported more than 1.5 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
from the sea carriers and road carriers with an impact on certain verticals like sea air and perishables. On the other hand, with oil price levels remaining high and with most of the economies within the Gulf region still dependent on the oil and gas sector, the demand for the transport of oil rigs and associated equipment is one of the bright spots for this year.
GSC: Tell us about the ‘WeQare Programme’ and the different Chapters? GH: The idea for the WeQare programme came about when we became the number one cargo carrier. We wanted to give back to communities we serve and leave a legacy for the future generation, and lead by example while putting sustainability at the core of our operations through concrete actions designed by and for the air cargo industry.
So far, we have launched four chapters: These are:
GSC: How significant is the UAE and GCC region for Qatar Airways Cargo? How is demand holding up in the Middle East region?
GH: The GCC region is an important region for us, where we operate both freighter and passenger flights to 13 destinations, offering more than 2,500 tonnes to and from the GCC weekly. Effective from end 2022, Qatar Airways Cargo introduced two new Freighter stations in its network – Dubai World Central and Riyadh.
Apart from the supply and demand factors impacting the air freight dynamics in the region, there are macroeconomic, political, security and regulatory factors that contribute to the airfreight development. However, when we look at the worldwide growth projections for 2023 and with the Middle East positioned as a major transit point and hub for airfreight, we are looking at a challenging 2023 as the Middle East is expected to grow by 3.6% in 2023 in accordance with the latest IMF figures.
With less congestion in ports and more schedule integrity provided by carriers, we are seeing a strong competition coming
Chapter 1–One Million Kilos: The Covid crisis accelerated the launch of this programme to transport one million kilos of aid and relief goods. We involved our customers by allowing them to allocate the space to charities of their choice.
Chapter 2–Rewild the Planet: This chapter was launched to offer free transport to bring wild animals back to their natural habitat. Under this chapter, we have so far transported seven rescued lions from Ukraine back to Africa.
Chapter 3–Let’s Stand Together: This chapter consisted of collecting donations for children which were assembled in Doha and then distributed to charities worldwide.
Chapter 4–Diversity: This chapter celebrated our highly diverse team portrayed on an airplane livery with the slogan ‘Moved By People’.
GSC: How many destinations worldwide does Qatar Airways Cargo currently operate freight only flights?
GH: We have an extensive freighter network, currently flying to more than 70 freighter destinations globally. In addition, we
Let’s Stand Together: Consisted of collecting donations for children which were assembled in Doha.
operate charters to destinations that are not part of our scheduled freighter network.
GSC: What is the outlook for Qatar Airways Cargo in 2023?
GH: 2023 comes with uncertainty, as macroeconomic trends, as well as lingering geopolitical issues are expected to continue to slow down the overall economic growth, directly impacting air cargo. Markets such as ecommerce are expected to continue rising, however, so is capacity both on air and ocean and therefore, we don’t expect
demand to exceed capacity growth. The global stabilisation of yields, specifically out of certain markets, will require Qatar Airways Cargo’s usual adaptability and flexibility, as well as customer centricity to ride the wave and strive to maintain our global leading position. As the world’s leading air cargo carrier, we see it as our responsibility not only to grow our business but to ensure we are contributing to sustainability.
This will be our focus for 2023 and beyond in every area of our business. We
will continue to make investments which are key to the future growth and beneficial for our customers’ businesses.
GSC: How many destinations regionally and globally does Qatar Airways Cargo cover? What are your top 3 destinations for out-bound cargo?
GH: We operate belly-cargo flights to more than 150 destinations globally while we fly freighters to more than 70 destinations worldwide, covering six continents. Stations from which we uplift the most cargo are Hong Kong followed by Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Guangzhou, and Oslo.
GSC: Going forward, what opportunities and challenges do you foresee for Qatar Airways Cargo in the region?
GH: Qatar Airways Cargo is perfectly and strategically positioned at Doha’s Hamad International Airport with its state-ofthe-art facilities. Qatar is an ideal huband-spoke gateway, with many airlines preferring to route traffic through a central hub and optimise transport efficiency. Qatar has made significant investments in infrastructure projects as it aspires to become a world-recognised logistical centre with the development of free trade and logistics zones expanding.
We operate belly-cargo flights to more than 150 destinations globally while we fly freighters to more than 70 destinations worldwide, covering six continents.
Our growth is proven by the FTKs, we have been the only cargo carrier with growing market shares since 2010. Air cargo serves a specific function in the supply chain and as long as we continue to offer an affordable, efficient and reliable service, this will remain the case. In terms of challenges, we have navigated through huge challenges such as the blockade and then Covid.
GSC: Comment on Qatar Airways Cargo’s Sustainability and CSR initiatives.
GH: In addition to our WeQare programme, we continually explore ways to reduce our carbon footprint through various initiatives such as improvements in operational efficiencies, process enhancements, digitalisation, fleet modernisation, effective waste management and carbon offsetting. Our environmental sustainability commitments include:
Working closely with the industry stakeholders in leading global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; meeting and exceeding industry best practice standards for Noise and Air Quality and preventing pollution and meeting compliance obligations and other requirements that Qatar Airways Group subscribes to.
We are also committed to improving our performance through Environmental Management Systems; raising awareness across the Group and promoting the training of employees & stakeholders on our Environmental Policy and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards the transportation of illegal wildlife and their products.
Accordingly, we incorporate sustainability requirements into our business planning, and we are constantly enhancing our procedures and protocols to support conservation and biodiversity, including raising awareness on Environmental Policy. In fact, Qatar Airways Cargo is the first carrier in the Middle East certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment programme (Iona)–State 2.
Qatar Airways has played an important role working in collaboration with the industry in leading the efforts to tackle climate change, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 as well as the fourpillars strategy of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As part of Oneworld® alliance, Qatar Airways has committed to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, taking part in the first global alliance united behind a common
target to achieve carbon neutrality.
The alliance has also committed to a target of 10% sustainable aviation fuel use by 2030. As part of this commitment, Qatar Airways has signed an offtake agreement to purchase 25 million gallons of certified SAF over a five-year period starting from 2028. Despite the challenges of SAF supply, Qatar Airways is determined to advance its efforts to meet its targets.
We are also continually reaffirming our commitment by investing in the youngest fleet and most advanced aircraft technology while maintaining the lowest ratio of fuel burn towards a greater reduction of carbon emissions. Since 2015, we have implemented over 70 optimisation initiatives that became legacy projects implemented through our Fuel Optimisation Programme.
In 2020, Qatar Airways Cargo became the first carrier in the Middle East to join the IATA Turbulence Aware data exchange platform, a programme which ensures a smoother journey in the air with a lower fuel burn.
Our sustainability programme also includes market-based measures such as carbon offsetting. In 2020, Qatar Airways partnered with IATA to launch Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme for Passengers and in November 2021, Qatar Airways
Cargo became the first carrier to join the IATA CO2NNECT platform offering voluntary carbon emission offsetting to its cargo customers. In January 2022, we have introduced a carbon emission calculator on our website, marking a new milestone in our environmental sustainability journey.
At Qatar Airways group, we are committed to contributing to a better world. Qatar Airways Cargo is involved in many charitable, environmental, and humanitarian initiatives, including encouraging and supporting our employees in acquiring new skill sets for a more sustainable future.
For example, we work with Airlink, a US-based global disaster logistics non-profit organisation that supports 130 charities and NGOs responding to natural and manmade disasters. Thus far, we have transported over 250 tonnes of relief supplies and reached 11 countries, which has benefited 2 million people. It is very humbling to see so many lives being impacted. In March 2022, we renewed our agreement with Airlink, pledging a further 500 tonnes of free cargo space over three years.
GSC: What are your short- and longterm expansion plans & vision for Qatar Airways Cargo?
GH: In 2022 we invested in a number of initiatives providing a much more connected booking experience to our customers. This year, we will be taking this journey forward by elevating this experience with more enhancements with
clear operational strategies to complete the journey of cargo till its final destination.
We launched ‘The Next Generation’, and ‘VISION 2027’ in 2022. Through these strategies, Qatar Airways Cargo is defining its role in the industry. Digital enhancements, new products, a new website, and more is being rolled out under The Next Generation. This approach will be reflected across our network and operations, be it in technology, sustainability, diversity, the new generation of employees joining our company, our products and services, and how we approach our business in general.
To cater to our growth and future demand, we are investing in a brand new, state-of-the-art Cargo Terminal 2 with 3.4 million tonnes of extra capacity. This cargo facility of the future will be safe, smart and green, relying heavily on technology and automation for its material handling. It will offer faster storage and retrieval and cargo processing, enabling us to offer shorter connections to meet the growing demand for transit cargo.
This building will be built on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating framework, which is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. We will focus on a greener supply chain and on opportunities to contribute to sustainability in areas such as climate, energy, weight and waste management and water usage reduction.
GSC: How important is the Pharma Chain and the Cold Chain for Qatar
Airways Cargo?
GH: The cold chain is crucial to maintaining product integrity and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. Pharma is one of our strongest products with a global market share exceeding 11% (Financial year 2021-22) of the total airfreighted pharma market, reaching above 15% during the peak of the pandemic.
GSC: Do you plan to open up new destinations in the region or globally?
GH: Our Group CEO recently announced seven new destinations, 11 resumptions and 35 frequency increases at the ITB Berlin. This announcement is also important to cargo since we will be carrying shipments in the belly of these passenger planes.
The seven new destinations planned for launch in 2023, are Chittagong, Juba, Kinshasa, Lyon, Medan, Toulouse, and Trabzon. Qatar Airways is also resuming flights to 11 destinations: Beijing, Birmingham, Buenos Aires, Casablanca, Davao, Marrakesh, Nice, Osaka, Phnom Penh, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Tokyo Haneda. At Qatar Airways Cargo, we are always looking for ways to support our customers’ business and if the requirement arises, we will be introducing additional frequencies.
GSC: Do you anticipate any mergers and acquisitions in the short -term future?
GH: Mergers and acquisitions are positively shaping the future of air cargo traffic and if we find suitable opportunities, we will definitely consider and review.
To cater to our growth and future demand, we are investing in a brand new, state-of-the-art Cargo Terminal 2 with 3.4 million tonnes of extra capacity.
Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, and international contract logistics provider DHL Supply Chain recently announced the signing of a shareholders’ agreement for a new Procurement and Logistics Hub in Saudi Arabia, to enhance supply chain efficiency and sustainability. It would be the region’s first such hub catering to customers in the industrial, energy, chemical and petrochemical sectors.
The partnership will forge world-class integrated procurement and supply chain services. It is being characterized as the first hub of its kind in the region catering to customers in the industrial, energy, chemical and petrochemical sectors. This initiative is expected to help customers drive supply chain efficiency and cost benefits, while reducing their carbon footprint through more sustainable solutions.
The joint venture aims to be operational in 2025 and provide reliable end-to-end integrated procurement and supply chain services for companies across the industrial, energy, chemical and petrochemical sectors. The joint venture would initially focus on Saudi Arabia, with aspirations to expand across the MENA region.
Aramco’s preeminent energy and industrial supply chain ecosystem and DHL’s world-class logistics expertise are expected to enable the joint venture to add value in meeting customers’ supply chain purchasing, warehouse and inventory management, transportation and reverse logistics needs.
“This partnership brings together two industry leaders, each with long and storied histories. By combining the exceptional energy, chemicals and industrial supply
chain ecosystem of Aramco with the worldclass shipping and logistics expertise of DHL, we aim to enable the Procurement and Logistics Hub joint venture to serve as a one-stop hub for customers’ supply chain needs,” affirmed Amin H. Nasser, President & CEO, Aramco.
“We anticipate that it will not only advance the economic goals of our two companies but also accelerate growth across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region,” he added.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of this agreement with Aramco. Through it, DHL intends to foster its business operations and logistics networks throughout Saudi Arabia and the MENA region while expanding our industrial footprint,” asserted Oscar de Bok, CEO, DHL Supply Chain.
“By working in partnership with Aramco, we aim to provide regional and multinational businesses from these sectors access to a robust international logistics network, fostering positive economic growth while promoting sustainable
activities,” he continued.
Through state-of-the-art technologies, the joint venture is expected to allow businesses to reduce costs, maximize efficiency and harness digitalization. It represents the culmination of several years of cooperation between the two companies, and aims to transform inventory and logistics management, expand business, create jobs and enable economic diversification in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.
The formation of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, an official press communique indicated.
Present on the occasion of the formal signing ceremony apart from these two officials were Aramco Acting Executive Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development Ashraf A. Al Ghazzawi; DHL Supply Chain Europe, Middle East and Africa CEO, Hendrik Venter; Deutsche Post DHL Group CEO-designate, Tobias Meyer; Aramco Executive Vice President of Technical Services Ahmad A. Al Sa’adi, and Aramco Senior Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Mohammad A. Al Shammary.
The aim is for the joint venture to attain industry best practices in procurement and supply chain management, as well as the deployment of more sustainable supply chain, transport and warehousing solutions.
Delivering a new paradigm for intralogistics operations with intelligent robots and advanced software for faster fulfilment, higher accuracy, and greater productivity
25-27th April 2023
Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre Germany
Meet our experts
Global supply chain software specialist Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG) has deployed its innovative EPG ONE™ Warehouse Management System (LFS) at Schneider Electric’s Sarre-Union warehouse and distribution centre in France, boosting logistics capacity at the facility by 15 per cent.
Responsible for all enclosures and related accessories to Schneider Electric’s local distribution centres and third-party suppliers all over the world, the equivalent
of 30 trucks per day leave the site carrying a collective 30,000 tons of goods, with over 7,500 products in storage, and 15,000 pallets in internal and external locations–reliable and always-on IT and software systems are vital in running the 10,000sqft warehouse and distribution center efficiently.
As a company with almost 200 years of history in sustainable innovation, Schneider Electric is a leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, and the provider of electrical distribution
equipment and secure energy equipment for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industry.
Prior to the upgrade, the center’s previous WMS was built on a legacy mainframe, and with existing data becoming less reliable, Schneider Electric looked to EPG to install a flexible, state-of-the-art WMS that could both match their own specific needs more closely as well as futureproof the business at the same time.
LFS is EPG’s off-the-shelf WMS, customized to intelligently connect the planning and control of all material flows in a logistics facility.
LFS is EPG’s off-the-shelf WMS, customized to intelligently connect the planning and control of all material flows in a logistics facility. It actively guides the movement of all manual and automated storage units with 100 per cent safety and transparency, a clear advantage over rival systems. Implementation of the project was troublefree, and required no downtime at SarreUnion, despite the added pressures of the Covid lockdown, which did delay the first ‘go live ’target date.
The entire process took 18 months, and the EPG team worked closely with
n Professional planning and control of logistics resources on-time delivery to customers and local distribution centres.
n Avoidance of bottlenecks equal control of manual and automatic logistics systems.
Schneider Electric teams with initial workshops and project specification to prepare for the customization, tests and deployment.
Since implementing LFS, the center has experienced significant improvements to its processes, including a 15 per cent uplift in logistics capacity. In just three months, the center was outperforming previous benchmarks and has boosted capacity by 15 per cent.
“All configurations are controlled by our own key users, who can manage the
n LFS manages all orders transparently so that employees can intervene in operations and processes at any time.
n LFS has industry-specific modules that are important to Schneider Electric, such as the label management module.
n Modular structure allows company to connect different shipping solutions.
n A 15 percent increase in warehouse logistics capacity in only three months, previous key performance indicators have already been surpassed with LFS.
n Schneider Electric gets a future-proof system that meets the requirements for flexibility and efficiency.
jobs, change the flows and processes all by ourselves,” confirmed Kevin Cartolano, Department Operations Manager, Schneider Electric.
“The label management facility enables us to print directly via LFS. The benefits of that include no fixed batch jobs and no downtime needed to integrate new orders. Meanwhile, the printer management function permits key users nominated by us to manage individual printers,” he continued.
Schneider Electric managers and staff benefitted with the systems easy-to use interface. This makes it more comfortable for relevant teams to adopt, particularly as it is flexible enough to be used on several platforms as required throughout the facility, such as tablets, handheld units, laptops and desktop computers, a press statement indicated.
“Schneider Electric is delighted with the flexibility benefits provided by the multiple functionalities incorporated within the customized LFS. The quality and speed of communication provided by EPG’s versatile and expert support personnel have been commendable, and we look forward to working with EPG on many future upgrading projects,” Cartolano testified.
This distinguished professional industry Award recognizes and rewards outstanding performers
Recently, at the World Cargo Alliance’s (WCA) 25th Annual Worldwide Conference held in Singapore; Dubai’s MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. won a top key recognition. The leading freight forwarder in the UAE was the recipient of the much sought-after ‘WCA Certificate of Excellence for the Best Middle East Partner 2022’ Award.
Florida, USA-headquartered and 1998-established WCA is the world’s largest and most powerful network of independent freight forwarders that covers more than 11,000 member offices in over 195 countries around the world.
Comparatively, it is estimated that the combined logistics might and resources of the WCA Global Membership exceeds that of the world’s largest multinational freight forwarders.
Following the awarding of this keenly sought-after accolade, Global Supply Chain exclusively interviewed Mirshad Moopen, Managing Director, MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C., as the company celebrated this unique professional honour. The interview was wide ranging and covered a variety of subjects.
Global Supply Chain (GSC): To those unfamiliar, provide our readers with a brief corporate profile of
MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C.?
Mirshad Moopen (MM): MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. LLC commemorated its corporate journey in 2004, offering a full range of freight business. Now, almost two decades since our inception, we are now on a firm footing thanks to our extensive industry experience.
The Company’s present performance excellence can be attributed to its professional management approach along with long-serving customers across various industries. With considerable and all-round experience and in-depth knowledge of the freight forwarding industry, we have been able to provide state-of-the-art services to our clients worldwide.
This combined with today’s advanced vehicles, improved communications and committed staff are the cause of the high level of quality, professional service we offer to our highly satisfied customers, and the loyalty they profess in us.
Furthermore, protecting the environment is our top priority and on our agenda is our green product portfolio that improves, both for our clients and us, the environmental footprint and sustainability agenda.
Our clients choose us for our trusted partnership, domain expertise, flexible solutions, Personalized & Professional Service. Adding to that our core values— Service Excellence, Professionalism, Integrity, Efficiency, Teamwork, Respect and Accountability.
GSC: What is the extent of your corporate product and services offerings?
MM: We are specialized in wide range of services that include Sea Freight Transportation; Air Freight Transportation; Ground Transportation – Domestic and Cross Borders; Contact Logistics and Supply chain Solutions, Packaging & Distribution; Projects Cargo movements, Break Bulk and special cargo movements; Approved Customs Brokerage and a strategic, cohesive network around the globe.
GSC: MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. was the recipient of the WCA Certificate of Excellence for the Best Middle East Partner 2022. Why were you bestowed with this Award and throw more light on this conferment?
MM: I believe MRC Shipping and Logistics L.L.C. has won this award based on our operational excellence, customer service, process standardisation, technological upgrade, digital transformations, professionalism and sustainable practices.
GSC: What is your reaction following the Awards presentation ceremony?
MM: We are delighted and honoured with this Award and would like to congratulate the entire MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. Team for their continued efforts towards this accomplishment. I would also like to sincerely thank our overseas partners and customers for their immense support and confidence in us over these years and for
the invaluable opportunity of offering them innovative solutions and quality services throughout.
This recognition also has a payoff and will provide an advantage and a positive platform for our growth plans.
This Award is a welcome recognition, and we are privileged to receive this Award from the over 11000 members and in front of the attending 4000 partners.
GSC: What implications does this Award / recognition have for MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. going forward?
MM: Being a prestigious award-winning company, it is a great feeling, and this win will open up a world of opportunities securing big deals and expanding into new markets. Our partners and customers will feel good about their relationship with our company. This will also certainly give our team an encouragement to scale higher peaks in the future.
GSC: Tell us more about the Awards ceremony?
MM: This Award ceremony was conducted during WCA Worldwide Conference held in Singapore on 19 FEB 2023.
At the Awards Ceremony, the Best Partner Award was presented by David Yokeum, Chairman, WCA; Dan March, Chief Executive Officer, WCA; Chris Dunn, Regional Manager—Middle East, WCA. I received the Award alongside Mathew Chacko, General Manager, MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. LLC.
GSC: How has MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. performed in 2022 and what is the outlook for 2023?
MM: Our performance in 2022 was exceptionally good and exceeded our targets. The outlook for 2023 is optimistic and we are confident that we will maintain our growth momentum and surpass our targets.
GSC: What are the opportunities and challenges for MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. in the future?
MM: Quality marks and Awards such as this increase our company’s reputation and set us apart from the competition. We will keep our dedication and commitment to strong customer service and professionalism. Being an award-winning company, our responsibilities and expectations have now increased, and we have to perform more aggressively in the future.
GSC: What are your current and future expansion plans?
MM: Expansion is on the cards, and we are planning to open new offices in other GCC countries.
GSC: What is your vision for MRC Shipping & Logistics L.L.C. for the immediate and long-term futures?
MM: Our objective is to be a leader and the most trusted logistics company to all our clients. We promise to work hard and win the trust, loyalty and confidence of our customers every day.
Digital innovation has enabled the company serve customers with a full range of products and services
The growing e-commerce sector has revolutionised the logistics and forwarding industry in the Middle East. The rise of online shopping has created a demand for faster and more flexible logistics solutions, which has led to the development of new technologies and delivery models such as sameday delivery and lastmile delivery, affirms the Global Managing Director, WeFreight, a provider of a comprehensive logistics products and services, in an exclusive interview.
Brian Cartwright, Client Partner, Global Supply Chain Solutions, Pedersen & Partners, and a contributor for Global Supply Chain, recently had the opportunity to catch up with Ingo Kloepper, Global Managing Director, WeFreight.
In this interview, we hear Ingo’s perspective on the global supply chain considering the events of the past few years, and his thoughts on the future for the sector globally and the ongoing worldwide expansion of WeFreight. Ingo has been building WeFreight into a global freight forwarder with a focus on emerging markets since joining in 2021.
Global Supply Chain-Brian Cartwright (GSC): Can you tell us more about your career and experience in the Middle East?
Ingo Kloepper (IK): After starting my career as an apprentice freight forwarder in Germany in the early 1990s, I quickly progressed through various roles before joining DB Schenker. In 2007 I was given the opportunity to move the Middle East, which I did with no real expectation of how long I would be here.
After various roles in product management, I became head of Saudi Arabia in 2010, before taking on a regional ocean freight role in 2014. In mid-2015, I moved to Damco as head of the Middle East and joined WeFreight in 2021 in a global role as Global Managing Director.
GSC: What have been the main changes in the sector, since you moved to the Middle East?
IK: One of the most significant changes in the logistics industry has been the shift towards digitalisation and automation. In recent years, the industry has embraced new technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things (IoT) to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency.
Infrastructure in the Middle East has undergone significant improvements, which has led to faster and more efficient transportation of goods. The region has witnessed the development of world-class seaports, airports, and road networks (with rail being planned), which have greatly enhanced the logistics and forwarding industry’s capabilities.
Finally, the growing e-commerce sector has revolutionised the logistics and forwarding industry in the Middle East. The rise of online shopping has created a demand for faster and more flexible logistics solutions, which has led to the development of new technologies and delivery models such as same-day delivery and last-mile delivery.
GSC: Can you tell us more about WeFreight and its focus?
IK: WeFreight is a fast-growing freight forwarder with a rapidly expanding global network. Our focus on digital innovation has enabled us to serve customers large and small with a full range of products and services, while our experienced teams are always ready to support customers.
However, what sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to being the agile logistics leader in emerging markets. We recognise the immense potential of these markets, and our goal is to leverage our expertise to unlock new opportunities for our customers.
GSC: What are the main challenges facing the logistics market in the Middle East in 2023?
IK: The logistics outlook for the Middle East in 2023 is largely uncertain, and many companies face supply chain challenges. Some of the key areas of interest include: Increasing competition: With the grip of the pandemic loosening, shoppers are flocking back to brick-and-mortar stores to savour the delights of being able to pick up, try on, and evaluate items first-hand rather than via online images.
For ecommerce retailers, this means facing competition from other retailers as well as traditional outlets. To stand out in a crowded marketplace, some ecommerce concerns are offering online discounts, special deals, exclusive goods, and big sales. Focusing on customer demands: In order to survive, retailers must provide what customers demand, and that goes for service as much as product. If customers want on-demand delivery, vendors must pull out all the stops to cater to the growing penchant for immediate gratification. Meeting the requirement for end-toend visibility in the supply chain: While
customers increasingly expect end-to-end visibility across their supply chains, the heavy investment needed by companies to achieve this goal means it is unlikely to become the norm any time soon. Focus on Sustainability: Companies that have not instituted a sustainability policy throughout their supply chains face being ignored in favour of those that have. Consumers increasingly support companies that demonstrate proactive concern about the impact of their operations on the environment.
Supply Chain Compliance: This is possibly one of the most complex challenges facing emerging market forwarders. Unless companies are meticulous in ensuring compliance, they can face hefty fines or be taken to court.
GSC: What in your opinion is a major area that companies struggle with in their supply chains across the Middle East?
IK: As mentioned earlier, one major challenge is the lack of visibility and transparency in the supply chain. This is mainly due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders such as suppliers, transporters, and customs authorities, who may have different systems and processes for tracking
and sharing information.
This lack of visibility can lead to delays, increased costs, and a higher risk of inventory shortages or overstocks. Additionally, the increasing demand for faster delivery times and customer expectations for real-time tracking and notifications further exacerbate this challenge.
GSC: What are the major challenges when moving goods into and across the Middle East?
IK: When it comes to moving goods across the Middle East, logistics companies and their customers need to consider several challenges. These include:
Border crossings: The movement of goods across borders can be challenging due to customs clearance procedures, documentation requirements, and security checks. Delays at border crossings can result in significant disruptions to the supply chain.
Infrastructure limitations: While the Middle East has made significant investments in infrastructure in recent years, there are still limitations in terms of road networks, ports, and airports. These limitations can result in congestion and delays in moving goods.
Political instability: The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East can be volatile, and political instability can lead to disruptions in the supply chain.
GSC: What role does technology play in the logistics industry in the Middle East, and how is your company using technology to improve its services?
IK: Technology plays a significant role in the logistics industry in the Middle East, and WeFreight recognises the importance of using technology to improve our services. The region is known for its rapid adoption of new technologies, and this has led to an increasing demand for innovative logistics solutions.
We have invested heavily in technology to enhance our operations and improve our services. We use CargoWise across our global network to ensure standardisation and data quality, and we also use data analytics to gain insights into our operations and identify areas for improvement.
is a Client Partner, Global Supply Chain Solutions at Pedersen & Partners. He specializes in Board, CXO and Senior Executive Search, leveraging over 20 years of experience in business leadership, executive search, and strategic advisory.
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GH8E Engine + Automatic Transmission + 11ton Rear AxleToday women have a rightful place in all professional domains. This is also true in the air cargo industry there are more women occupying posts with responsibilities, affirms the Lemon Queen supremo.
Paris, France based Lemon Queen characterizes itself as the communications agency that specializes in the air freight industry, with particular expertise in organizing challenges.
With eight years of industry experience and expertise under her belt, working to boost the reputation and image of the GSSA giant ECS Group and of its clients, Audrey Serdjebi, former Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at the ECS Group, set up her own communications agency she now heads as Chairwoman.
Global Supply Chain caught up with the charismatic and effervescent Audrey Serdjebi, and a professional in corporate communications, in an exclusive interview.
Global Supply Chain (GSC):
Can you describe yourself, your background and your approach to corporate communications?
Audrey Serdjebi (AS): I come from the
— AUDREY SERDJEBI, Chairwoman, Lemon Queen
“My approach to communication is to be disruptive to get noticed”
Lemon Queen’s objective is to make their client-brands get prominence in the freight and logistics sectors
world of culture where I was in charge of developing cultural projects. I then moved to politics as a parliamentary attaché before working for NGOs focusing, among other things, on women’s rights.
I came to the freight industry by chance, and I found that the means of communications are the same whether you want to defend a product, a service or a person. Yet the codes are always different. The air freight industry does have really specific codes which I actually love!
My approach to communication is to always be disruptive to get noticed. What is also essential for me is to be passionate about what I’m doing and to remain authentic. That’s why at Lemon Queen, we know how to communicate seriously without taking ourselves seriously.
GSC: Why did you set up Lemon Queen and what were your thinking digits at the time?
AS: I spent 8 years managing the communication of ECS Group and working with Adrien Thominet, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We created NextGen Leaders which meant gathering around ECS Group the top brains in the air freight sector.
I really felt there was a place in this industry for a disruptive communication that would play with its codes to better stand out from the rest. I also felt like working with other actors of the industry without ever losing ECS Group, because to me ECS Group is family.
So, I started my own business with the precious support of Adrien Thominet. He has always been my mentor and a very supportive person, and convinced of my capabilities, became my client. Today ECS Group is my biggest client and the one I owe so much to. Guillaume Halleux , Chief Cargo Officer, Qatar Airways Cargo was our first airline client.
GSC: ‘Women Power’ is an important element of your advocacy regime…and you stand for women participation in multiple fields…. explain?
AS: What is hard today is that there are only skillful women in management posts, and they have to fight much harder to obtain them, while men in management are the norm.
To give an example, on 9 March 2022 we launched a press release for ECS Group where they announced that their gender balance is 49% of women managers vs 51% men. We’re talking about a GSA that does Total Cargo Management, so they capable of managing everything comprehensively on cargo matters and they have as many women as men at management level.
GSC: On the occasion of the recently concluded ‘International Women’s Day’ (8 March), what are your comments from both a personal and Lemon Queen perspective?
AS: Lemon Queen’s positioning and my professional opinion are the same: Equality is a 365-day platform, not a 24-hour parade. Yet, I feel that Women’s Day is essential to remind everyone of the level of discrimination women suffer depending on the part of the world they live in.
GSC: What percentage of your employees at Lemon Queen are women?
AS: Our team is made of 40% of men and 60% of women. This can be easily explained by the fact that there are far more women than men working in communication in general. But this is changing also.
GSC: What are among your key accounts?
AS: We are currently working with Qatar Airways Cargo, ECS Group, WestJet Cargo, Challenge Group, Global GSA Group, CargoTech and Wiremind. We also have clients from other backgrounds such as legal firms and NGOs.
In addition, Lemon Queen is seeking to develop its customer portfolio outside the air freight sector, by positioning itself in the supply chain and logistics fields in a broader way, in France and internationally.
GSC: What is the remit of Lemon Queen beyond PR, media communications, events, advocacy, lobbying?
AS: Lemon Queen offers a wide portfolio of services ranging from strategy and consultancy, press and public relations, advertising campaigns and video production, all the way to social media management, event creation and booth design.
We also do advocacy and lobbying,
especially when it comes subjects that are close to our hearts, such as women’s rights and the protection of animal species - it is urgent to fight and mobilize against their extinction. This is particularly the case when we work with NGOs.
GSC: What, in your opinion, are Lemon Queen’s key strengths and distinctive characteristics?
AS: Lemon Queen is first and foremost a committed agency with values that are shared by our clients. Our way of communicating is not designed to serve pure marketing but meet real challenges. We love authenticity and have a real expertise on freight which is our added value. Indeed, half of the team has been working in this industry for more than 10 years. We know its codes and we know how to play with them.
The diversity of the team, whose backgrounds range from politics, culture, the advertising industry and fashion, is also a strength. This diversity creates a unique identity. The people at LQ love communication deeply and therefore know how to do it best.
GSC: How did you perform in 2022 and what is your forecast for 2023?
AS: 2022 was a very intense year for Lemon Queen with the arrival of 6 new clients. We participated in major campaigns such as ECS Group’s Augmented GSSA or The Next Generation with Qatar Airways Cargo, a client who we also accompanied in the development and launch of two new chapters of the WeQare program.
2022 also marked the beginning of our collaboration with Challenge Group who we were able to promote in the press and on social media. In 2023, our goal is to provide more agility and more services together with customized support.
GSC: What is your wider vision for Lemon Queen going forward?
AS: My vision is for Lemon Queen to become the key player when it comes to making a brand shine in the freight, logistics and intermodal industries, to become the reference in terms of creativity in these sectors and to produce campaigns that always make an impression.
Asher Bennett, CEO and Founder, Tevva the UK electric truck manufacturer, makes the case for greater electric truck adoption and for bringing in incentives consistent with those available in Mainland Europe, for UK truck manufacturers and operators. people.
Recently, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) said that the world can still avoid the worst of climate collapse with genuine change, but that if we keep emitting at the current rate, the carbon budget for 1.5C will be exhausted by 2030. That juxtaposition
of hope and grim reality should be enough to focus everyone’s minds on the opportunities and threats that lie ahead.
At Tevva we believe that further government action is required to ensure that the UK attains its net zero goals in the best and fastest possible way for the good of the environment, economy and British
The recent Net Zero Review set out the ‘historic opportunity’ offered by net zero in the UK, by creating a new era of change and opportunity. Yet the report also made clear that more should be done to ‘back business’ and reap the economic benefits.
Our expertise lies in electric vehicles and specifically the electrification of trucks. Despite accounting for just two percent of vehicles on our roads, heavy-duty trucks (HDVs) are responsible for over a quarter of road transport emissions. Road transport and HDVs are also one of the largest sources of air pollution which causes 350,000 premature deaths per year in Europe.
Clearly more must be done to accelerate the decarbonisation of commercial vehicles, and we’re asking the UK government to bring truck incentives in-line with those found in Europe. Brexit put us in a position where, as a nation, we were free from EU state aid rules which limited the amount of support governments could give to certain industries. Yet, the UK is lagging behind its European neighbours when it comes to incentives for electric truck adoption.
As a vehicle manufacturer Tevva can offer its customers discounts at point of sale thanks to government incentives, with a maximum of £16,000 for small trucks and £25,000 for large ones. Yet, if you compare this support to what’s on offer in other European countries, you’re left with a feeling that more could be done.
In Germany, for example, the government provides 80% of the price differential between diesel and battery-electric trucks, in the Netherlands it’s 45%. That’s potentially between £50-90,000 per truck more than what’s on offer in the UK.
We appreciate the British government’s support which enables us to make our 7.5t battery-electric truck even more appealing to fleets. But for this country to meet its net zero goals, more action is needed to stimulate electric vehicle manufacturing in
the UK, which is really the only bright spot in an industry that has reached its lowest ebb for over 60 years.
The electrification of trucks is inevitable, and the technology has developed to a point where an electric truck is a viable proposition for many operators. There’s a huge appetite among fleets for electric trucks, as the opportunity to reduce emissions makes good business sense.
Obviously there needs to be trust in the technology and clarity on total cost of ownership (TCO). Tevva is working with its customers to address both points and we are confident that our electric trucks will save them money over the lifetime of the vehicle and improve their fleet and driver performance.
By developing a range of batteryelectric and hydrogen-electric medium- to heavy-duty trucks that can improve air quality, vehicle safety, and lower total cost of ownership, Tevva is leading commercial vehicle decarbonisation in the UK. Yet the market isn’t ready to adopt on scale without further incentivisation, at least not with the required urgency.
HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South; HE Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs; and Mohsen Ahmad, CEO, Logistics District-Dubai South and Mohamed Shael Alsaadi, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, recently witnessed the inauguration of Amazon’s latest Fulfillment Centre in the UAE.
Following the inauguration, the dignitaries were given a tour of the facility by Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President, Amazon Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Prashant Saran, Director of Operations, Amazon MENA, and Zeina El Kaissi, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Amazon MENA.
The new Amazon Fulfillment Centre has a storage capacity of 2.1mn cubic feet, which will increase Amazon’s total storage capacity in the UAE by 70%.
The facility is in Dubai South’s Logistics District, enabling efficient services, speed, operations, and uninterrupted access to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The district comprises of multiple zones that facilitate distribution, including a Freight Forwarding Zone; EZDubai (Economic Zones Dubai), a fully dedicated e-commerce free zone strategically located in the heart of the district; and a Contract Logistics Zone.
“We welcome the company’s second Fulfillment Centre in our Logistics District, as hosting a global e-commerce company like Amazon expanding its investment in the UAE brings us closer to our mission to
catalyze the UAE’s economic growth,” noted HE Al Zaffin.
We welcome the ongoing expansion of Amazon here and its catalyzing role in the wider development of an economy centred on innovation and technology that enables talent,” observed HE Al Marri.
“The launch of Amazon’s new shipping centre in Dubai South is a testament to Dubai’s unwavering commitment to achieving global leadership in cross-border e-commerce,” said HE Musabih.
“We continue to invest in building the UAE’s talent capabilities, creating diverse career paths in an industry-leading workplace,” stressed Mouchawar.
“We strive to create opportunities for employees, partners and the community while growing sustainably and responsibly,” said Saran.
Currently, Amazon Operations’ network across the UAE comprises of three Fulfillment Centres, three sort centres, eight delivery stations and a network of small and medium businesses working as Delivery Service Partners, a press communique concluded.
The new facility will house innovative solutions for its operations, close to three kilometers of conveyance equipment, spread across five floors and covering an area of more than 350,000sqft.
Twintec has built a strong world-wide reputation for customer focused, high quality service in industrial concrete floor slab design and construction, providing a tailor-made product for our customers around the globe, affirms Adrianus Huijskens.
The distinctive ‘Design-BuildGuarantee’ package, a signature offering from the Twintec Group, demonstrates how the premier flooring company takes full responsibility for all its projects and contracts-offering proven unparalleled level of support, quality assurance and peace of mind.
Twintec adds value to commercial, industrial and retail properties world-wide.
Cold stores are an excellent example where the interface management between sub-base requirements, loads, choosing the correct heating system, placing of the heating system, cold store wall panels, door openings and transition areas into ambient area, racking system (often as in this case, mobile racking), floor flatness requirements and other requirements need close attention to the engineering and construction detailing.
This is where the knowledge and experience of Twintec adds value not only
Adrianus Huijskens has over three decades of experience within the industrial flooring market, a specific knowledge of the African continent and a proven track record at the highest level of delivering customer value. He works as part of the Twintec International Business Team, whose focus is on international developers and end users delivering sustainable solutions worldwide.
for the end user but also for the investor, facility manager, general contractor, the local interdisciplinary building teams, and other stakeholders. This value cannot be underestimated notably in emerging markets.
CSK is building a cold chain network across East Africa and the first of its kind cold storage facility is in Tatu City, Nairobi, Kenya. The cold store required a 14,000sqm, super flat DM2 ‘jointless’ concrete floor slabs, able to deal with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees to minus 30 degrees and include the placing of rails inside the concrete floor slab for mobile racking. Twintec provided CSK their unique total offer concept solution Design-Build-Guarantee.
It’s design & it’s all about the details in the early planning stage of the facility, Twintec engineers were involved not only to design the concrete floor slab, but to work with the project team to optimise the cold storage building.
“Price
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” observes Adrianus Huijskens, Managing Executive, Twintec International Business Team, in this special contribution to Global Supply Chain, as he makes the case for Twintec’s extensive expertise and experience in producing the finest jointless steel fibre reinforced concrete flooring in the world.
“There were several challenges on this project which needed to be overcome and this was professionally coordinated by Twintec to the point there were no delays or issues, and the work was carried out in record time to the highest standards.
From the onset they displayed an innovative, economic and proactive approach to service the project needs. They have been thoroughly professional in their conduct which resulted in a high-quality product.”
Lionel Haggard, Technical Director, CSK.and demanding technical requirements between all disciplines was a critical success factor for the CSK facility from coordinating with the local engineer for the preliminary structural designs (substrate, sub-base and floor) and then with other constituents every step of the way to the completion of the project.
The integral involvement of building supervisors and contractors was paramount for the final design solution. This resulted in six sub-designs as Twintec customises the static design per loading area.
The coordination of interface management (earthworks, floor heating, insulation wall panels and other key considerations) is pivotal to make the designs work.
Twintec commits to its sustainability values throughout every aspect of a project and used the Top & Screed Mini Electric Super flat equipment for the first time in Africa.
The use of electrical equipment contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide and to the working environment of our workers. This is a key requirement for Twintec’s commitment to a sustainable future.
The TS 6100e is equipped with the state-of-art laser system contributing to achievement of high tolerance requirements, easy to use and maintained by off-site remote centralized computer diagnosis.
With all the concrete floor slab details implemented and controlled and the flatness requirements adapted to suit the MHE (material handling equipment), racking type and lay out, all requirements are fixed in working and execution drawings.
A key part of the preparation is to analyze the concrete batch plant, locally available materials, the quality of mixer trucks with detailed reporting on status and improvements to make.
Nothing is left to chance with the concrete mix design tested with the local Kenyan materials at a laboratory in Europe, mix design trials and adjustments at site under Twintec supervision.
The site batch plant went through a full assessment two months before execution, adjustments made and closely monitored during execution.
Fibers, joints, and hardeners were selected based on a number of factors, it is about making the right choices technically, economically, and environmentally.
Twintec’s international skilled execution team working closely with a highly experienced on-site Operations Manager ensured that the DM2 tolerance was attained within the project timeline.
Twintec is uniquely placed to offer advice and to provide tailor-made design solutions as a result of its long-term relations and experience worldwide with real estate investors, developers, consultancy firms, contractors, regulators, end users, local authorities, standards committees, and universities.
There is an enormous amount of knowledge behind each project, this knowledge is where TWINTEC makes the difference to the rest of the market. This knowledge is needed to ensure quality and security and adherence to the highest quality standards, and this is the value each client gets.
Price is what you pay… .value is what you get. This is our adage.
We need some perspective on rates that have taken discussions off track. For three years, container rates have gotten a lot of attention in reports and news posts. First, there was how high they were. Then it was how these are dropping, spot rates and contract rates. There were complaints by shippers when they were high; then there were happy dances when they dropped.
It has almost been a never-ending story of price hikes and drops, writes our regular commentator and contributor Tom Craig, President LTD Management, Pennsylvania, USA, a leading authority and professional consultant on logistics and supply chain management and regular contributor to Global Supply Chain—Editor.
This is for those who are directly or indirectly involved with container shipping. These comprise CFOs, CEOs, Supply Chain Management professionals, Purchasing personnel, freight forwarders, container lines, logisticians and 3PL service providers.
Rate related stories generally make it to the headlines. However, these stories miss something, some context. Rates were presented like stock market prices. Stories also did not cite the decades of shipperfavorable rates…and there is more.
There is the container…. but what about what is in the container? What does it mean as to pricing? Or does it matter? Is it—a rate is a rate? Hint: Container shipping is a derivative of supply chains.
First. Let us back up on how we got here.
Before the global pandemic, container rates got token attention beyond the timing of negotiating contracts. There are two types of shippers—Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs) and freight forwarders. Each has its agenda.
Negotiating power was with shippers. The soft rate market made for low volumes committed in contracts so shippers could play the spot market. Contracts recognized spot market prices.
Container lines had lost money for many years. Remember, this is a capital-intensive industry. Pre-Covid there was concern that some carriers would go bankrupt or be acquired, reducing the shipping choices, and possibly heading toward an oligopoly for container lines.
Covid started with a shutdown of much of origin shipping, especially from China. That meant concern for what would happen to carriers. Then the pandemic hit destination countries and created questions on what to do with containers loaded and shipped. Then came a surge in product demand and, in turn, shipping demand. We went from shutdown to a shipping frenzy.
Rates and prices surged to getting containers and being able to get loaded on a vessel and shipped. Then prices
went crazy with the demand vs supply for shipping. All this created a power shift from shippers to carriers.
There was resentment with the change. Then consumer market demand slowed. And with it, demand for shipping. Rates began to drop.
Four Points: Before we get deeper into the topic of what container rates str about, here are four points for perspective to consider.
Point 1: Shippers make service contracts with carriers. The question is whether they are true contracts or loose agreements.
Point 2: What is the service in a service contract? How is it defined? Is it a complete service? How contractually firm is it?
Point 3: There are two shippers—beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) and freight forwarders. Each has a different need with rate and any contract negotiations.
Point 4: After years of shipper dominance in rate negotiations, the radical power shift with the pandemic, and the drop in demand, a question is whether the relationship between shippers and carriers is a collaboration or a mutual vendetta. The answer can misdirect negotiations.
The Container: What is often missed by container lines and freight forwarders is, for BCOs, that rates are not about containers. They are about the products—the inventory-- that go in them. Stories in the past few years about rates have missed this key point.
Containers are really about the inventory they convey and is sold by distributor and by retailers in stores and e-commerce and
by manufacturers. And the challenge and the fun that brings us to where we are for the next round of service contracts.
A, B, C Inventory: There are three types of inventories whether it is year-round or seasonal products. These designations cross product categories.
‘A’ items are those with high volume and high sales margin. Some may say it should be revenue. But sales margin reflects profit potential. ‘B’ items have less volume and margin. They may often be compatible with ‘A’ items. ‘C’ are slow movers.
Negotiations: Remember, it is not about the container. It is about what is in the container. Besides freight price, this is also about the service needed for each inventory.
What BCOs need to do is assess their planned activity. This includes drill down and focus as to supplier and origin. No part of the organization has more data than the end-to-end supply chain. That data and artificial intelligence provide the base for the analysis, negotiation priorities, and rate evaluation. It can include converting volumes into the number of containers.
Result: Not only guiding negotiation, but the approach also provides context for prioritizing and evaluating negotiation rates both contract and spot. A rate is not a rate. It differs by product importance and offers increased value to the company. Not only BCOs, but container lines, 3PLs, and forwarders with major customer accounts should consider doing this. It creates insight and value for all parties.
Conclusion: Container rates are not black and white—not a cheap or not event. There is also the service that underlies the prices. They are about moving products in trade. That should not be missed.
We are in a period of continuing supply chain disruption, geopolitics, climate changes and other uncertainties. Who knows what other surprises lie ahead?
Supply chains are large, complex, and nonlinear. Look beyond contract and spot rates which are a derivative of what is happening. Think of how to position your supply chain to adapt and create resilience and look at the big picture.
Supply chains are large, complex, and nonlinear. Think of how to position your supply chain to adapt and create resilience and look at the big picture.
United Trans transforming transportation in partnership with Dubai RTA and other local transport authorities
Leading transport services provider United Trans, a subsidiary of the Alserkal Group, is transforming regional transportation with its revolutionary on-demand bus service in partnership with local authorities such as Dubai RTA, Abu Dhabi ITC, and Ajman Transport Authority.
United Trans and Via, the leading transport service provider and public mobility solutions developer, were the first to successfully introduce bus on-demand ride-sharing service in the region, thanks to a contract with RTA. Dubai Bus on Demand has received high ratings and has become an important part of Dubai’s public transportation infrastructure.
The service has achieved a landmark one million rides since its launch in early 2020. United Trans and Via are focused on further expansions of on demand transportation for both public and private sectors in the region.
“On-demand public transit can be a powerful force for good in achieving the region’s ambitions for a greener future, greater social and economic mobility, and smart cities. United Trans is committed to strengthening public transport networks throughout the region by leveraging the latest and greatest technology to serve our communities,” affirmed Ahmad Alserkal, Chairman, Alserkal Group, United Trans.
“We look forward to the future of our partnership with RTA and United Trans as we continue to introduce new and innovative approaches to transportation and, together, set a strong example for what is possible for communities across the Middle East,” asserted Dillon Twombly, Chief Revenue Officer, Via.
The technology from Via used by United Trans to power Dubai Bus on Demand can
be used to help other local authorities and organisations best meet customers and employee demands and to provide a high quality of service and user experience.
Such public-private partnerships increase ridership, reduce operational costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Dubai Bus on Demand, for instance, has been able to solve the city’s first- and last-mile challenge of getting residents to existing transportation infrastructure in a comfortable, flexible, and affordable manner.
From students and office workers to families and tourists, the transport needs of a large swathe of the population are being served, proven by over one million trips taken since launch in 2020, out of which more than 400K were completed last year alone.
In partnership with Ajman Transport Authority, United Trans and Via also launched an on-demand public transportation service in Ajman. The service has quickly gained popularity, and demand is expected to rise even further in the Emirate of Ajman.
During the pandemic, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of Abu Dhabi launched a new on-demand emergency transportation system in Abu Dhabi in partnership with United Trans and Via to provide free rides for medical workers, a press communique concluded.
By implementing green supply chains, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, limit waste and pollution, enhance their reputation and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market, as well as play a role in addressing global challenges like climate change and depletion of natural resources,
The increased awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment is driving the rising demand for products and services produced and delivered in an ecofriendly manner. According to a survey by Nielson IQ, 72 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products.
The continued growth of the e-commerce sector has increased consumer demand, creating pressure for businesses to compete by offering more sustainable solutions. As concerns for sustainability and environmental responsibility continue to grow in both business and society, the discussion around the green supply chain in 2023 remains crucial.
According to a 2021 Insight Report by the Boston Consulting Group, eight supply chains, from raw materials to end-product manufacturing account for more than 50 per cent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Food industry has the biggest carbon footprint at 25 per cent of global emissions, followed by construction industry at 10 per cent.
To improve the supply chain sustainability, companies must implement a holistic and continuous approach to
regularly evaluating and adjusting their practices as necessary. They must also adopt sustainable transportation methods, such as using electric vehicles or ships powered by alternative fuels, to reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, companies can consider certifying their supply chain as environmentally friendly through recognised sustainability standards, such as LEED or ISO 14001. Advanced technologies like AI and machine learning in the supply chain can assist companies in identifying risks, trends, and opportunities, thus reducing waste, and enhancing efficiency.
Although sustainable supply chain solutions like using renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving recycling and waste management, promoting fair labor practices, and ensuring ethical sourcing of materials are obvious choices for businesses to adopt, it takes years of disciplined approach to drive the overall change.
The GCC region is well-positioned to lead the way in sustainable business practices and reducing the environmental impact of industries. Governments are also taking steps to promote sustainability, with initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable
energy. For instance, Saudi Arabia has initiated Vision 2030 National Agenda to diversify its energy sources and create sustainable communities like NEOM.
Building the next generation of transport and logistics solutions, Etihad Rail is promoting a technologically advanced and sustainable transportation system to enhance the global business landscape. This aligns with the goals of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Centennial 2071 by providing faster, greener, and more efficient transport solutions.
These initiatives aim to develop a futurefocused and eco-friendly environment for living and working. Moreover, it is creating a supportive environment for companies that adopt green supply chain practices, which can improve their reputation and competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.
Since UAE will be hosting COP28, the supply chain sector in the region will face growing demands to tackle environmental concerns. This will lead to enactment of new laws that motivate businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability in their supply chain operations.
Companies constantly struggle to streamline business processes and balance costs while creating an efficient and resilient supply chain. The perceived cost
associated with implementing sustainable practices, investment in new technologies, and employment training are some key concerns for companies.
Additionally, there can be a lack of understanding about the benefits of green supply chains, making it difficult for companies to secure the necessary resources and support from stakeholders. Moreover, the resistance from suppliers unwilling or unable to adopt sustainable practices, makes it challenging for companies to fully integrate sustainable practices throughout their supply chains.
Furthermore, the lack of standardisation and transparency in reporting environmental impact can make it difficult for companies to compare their performance with others and set meaningful sustainability goals. Overcoming these barriers requires a commitment to sustainability at a strategic level, a clear understanding of the benefits, and revisiting business and supply chain strategies, and the development of industrywide best practices and standards.
Upskilling and acquiring knowledge about green supply chain practices can significantly help the existing and future workforce to successfully incorporate sustainability in supply chains. Academics can play a significant role in providing knowledge and training in green supply chain management, which can prepare the professionals to deal with the challenges while helping organisations to stay ahead of the competition.
It will not be an overstatement that knowledge capital will drive successful businesses and help companies incorporate sustainability in supply chains and overall operations to drive change.
Companies must adopt sustainable transportation methods, such as electric vehicles or ships powered by alternative fuels, to reduce their carbon footprint.
UD Trucks and Allison Transmission recently held a joint event to showcase the impressive Croner range and its advanced automatic transmission.
The event brought together partners from across the Middle East region and offered participants the opportunity to experience the capabilities of UD Trucks’ Croner line-up, while also learning how Allison Transmission is pushing the boundaries of technology with its cuttingedge automatic transmissions.
Participants were granted an exclusive opportunity to test a selection of Croner models on the Dubai Autodrome circuit. The 5 and 8-litre engines of the Croner provide impressive power and acceleration, while the advanced technology of the fully automatic transmission ensures smooth gear changes and optimal fuel efficiency, delivering a superior driving experience.
The integration of Croner’s robust engine with Allison Transmission’s cutting-edge technology provides a multitude of advantages to customers. These include increased productivity, decreased maintenance costs, and heightened vehicle uptime, leading to a substantial reduction in overall operating expenses. Furthermore, the Croner range between 11-19T is available with both manual and Allison gearboxes, offering customers a wider range of options to choose from.
The updated Croner vehicle offers waste management companies even more flexibility in choosing the right vehicle for their needs. The LKE series, which meets
Euro 5 standards, provides a range of power options with 210 HP and 825 Nm torque, or 240 HP and 900 Nm torque.
The PKE series offers 250 HP and 950 Nm torque, also meeting Euro 5 standards. With these options, waste management companies in particular and other sectors can choose the power range that fits their operations and terrain, all while enjoying the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the Allison gearbox and the real-time performance feedback of the new instrument cluster.
“This close partnership with Allison Transmission is another example of our unwavering dedication to delivering dependable, efficient, and long-lasting trucks that cater to the unique requirements of our Middle East
customers,” asserted Mourad Hedna, President, UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa, emphasizing the importance of the Middle East market to UD Trucks.
“The Croner truck offers a remarkable range of attributes and advantages, which include outstanding power and acceleration, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features. The Croner has become an extremely popular model, known for its versatility, adaptability, and reliability, making it an ideal choice for businesses across a wide range of industries.”
“At Allison, we are dedicated to developing innovative technology that can help our customers optimise their operations in various ways. Our transmissions are engineered to deliver superior fuel efficiency, increased productivity and enhanced safety for our customers,” stressed Atak Talas, Regional Director, Allison Transmission.
15,000+ Attendees | 500+ Exhibitors | 500+ Speakers | 2 Days 23-24 MAY 2023 | DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE
n Swisslog, a leading provider of automated intralogistics solutions, is rebranding to better reflect its position in the digital and dynamic world of the future.
At the heart of the rebranding is a new logo design that has been optimized for the digital era. It builds on the strengths of the existing logo that served Swisslog largely unchanged for the last 25 years.
“The new digital brand fits the direction of our business. Swisslog is becoming more digitalized, through the solutions we provide and in the way they are deployed and serviced,” stressed Antonio Trioschi, Chief Executive Officer, Swisslog.
“We are launching a fresh brand that drives this commitment across the logistics automation industry, representing Swisslog’s core strategy of creating exceptional value for our customers through the solutions we provide and in the way they are deployed and serviced,” he further assured.
The shape of the new logo is adaptive, reflecting the digital world of today and tomorrow. Through movement, it reflects the dynamic world of logistics. It is modern, agile and future-ready, a press communique stated.
A strong ‘S’ element of the new logo design is a bold signifier of Swisslog as a provider of innovative, datadriven and robotic solutions, setting new standards in warehouse automation. The design also reflects the bold, self-confident, and passionate personality of Swisslog and its people.
“Our rebranding strategy further positions Swisslog as a future shaper in logistics automation, but it is also about much more. It also reflects the strength and expertise of our people. We empower growth by empowering our people,” he concluded.
n DP World’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) witnessed the highest customer registrations in a decade, marking a 30 per cent year-onyear growth, and taking the total number of companies to over 9,500 in 2022, the Authority revealed in a press communique.
During the past 10 years, Jafza has seen a 13-fold increase in logistics customers, while the vehicle and transport segment saw a compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent. The increased reliance on manufacturing, logistics and e-commerce opened new market opportunities for retailers and general traders and created a demand for logistics and transport companies to handle the movement of goods through the Free Zone.
China and India remain key trade and economic partners for the Free Zone. The number of newly registered Chinese companies in Jafza saw a massive fourfold increase. The UAE and China have strengthened their relationship through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE-China Economic Partnership.
The total number of new registrations of Indian companies increased by 30 per cent from 2021. DP World’s India-UAE Trade Bridge, and economic partnerships like the UAE-India CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) have increased customers’ confidence in expanding their reach through Jebel Ali.
The notable increase in newly registered Chinese and Indian companies in the Free Zone has undoubtedly played a vital role in UAE-China trade, valued at AED 264.5bn (US$ 72mn), and that of UAE-India trade at AED 180.9bn (US$ 49.25mn), in 2022, the press statement continued.
“Initiatives such as trade bridges, alongside multimodal connectivity and access to DP World’s global portfolio for end-toend logistics and supply chain solutions have only enhanced the attractiveness of Jafza to business owners and allowed them to stay ahead of the curve,” affirmed Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World UAE and Jafza.
Swisslog rebranding reflects a new era of digital logisticsAbdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World UAE and Jafza.
n Bahri, recently signed a non-binding renewable six-month agreement with the Suez Canal Authority, an independent general Egyptian Authority responsible for the canal facility’s affairs, a key global shipping lane.
The cooperation lays the foundation for creating a joint Egyptian shareholding company to provide industry-leading maritime transportation services in the Egyptian market, the company revealed in a press communique.
The agreement was signed by Eng. Mohammed Bin Battal, President, Bahri Dry Bulk and Eng. Jamil Al Sayyed Abul Khair, Board Member, Suez Canal Authority, in the presence of Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman, Suez Canal Authority; Eng. Ahmed Ali Alsubaey, CEO, Bahri and Badr Bin Ibrahim AlBadr, the Undersecretary of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment for Communication with Investors.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will discuss the potential of owning, leasing, hiring, and operating ships to transport general goods,
including dry bulk, chemicals, oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas, to meet the demands of the local market, the press note continued.
“Our agreement with Bahri falls in line with our mission to maintain and enhance the Suez Canal for the benefit of operators and regional markets,” commented Admiral Osama Rabie.
Established 152 years ago, the Suez Canal Authority is a government agency that owns the Suez Canal and all buildings and assets assigned to the waterway. The authority is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the canal, ensuring a safe passageway for traveling ships and overseeing projects related to the Suez Canal, the press statement concluded.
n GWC was awarded the ‘ISO 31000:2018 Record of Verification’ Certification by LRQA for Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) System, after a thorough assessment, which found the company in full compliance with the guidelines provided by ISO Risk Management Standard, the operator said in a press communique.
This certificate is an internationally recognized standard that ensures that a company is managing risks effectively and reaffirms its ability to consistently deal with and contain uncertain situations. ERM identifies risks which are potential, emerging, or existing within an organization that could have an impact (positive or negative) in achieving its strategic and operational objectives.
“This certificate gives significant confidence to all our customers, clients, partners and stakeholders that our corporate risk-management is fully integrated in our processes and internationally validated,” commented Ranjeev Menon, Group CEO, GWC.
Being awarded this standard also provides an assurance to all GWC’s stakeholders that the company has open lines of communications, and coordination when it comes to assessing and managing risks across all levels and functions of the organization.
This provides relevant data to the management, supporting the decision-making
process based on logical reasoning and factual data, the press statement continued.
ISO 31000:2018 is an international standard that provides guidelines on managing any type of risk in any business activity. The standard provides guidelines on principles, risk management framework, and application of the risk management process.
n Against the backdrop of the accelerated energy transition to achieve the Net Zero goal by 2050, as well as the exponential growth in infrastructure development and construction activities in the UAE, the minerals and metals industry is estimated to grow at a rate of over 3 per cent yearon-year, touching an estimated value of nearly US$10 bn by 2025, industry experts have indicated.
A press conference was held recently in Dubai to announce participation of companies from the UAE and the region at the upcoming trade fair quartet, `The Bright World of Metals’ Expos in Dusseldorf, Germany - GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST.
Officials and spokespersons asserted the severe disruptions the industry experienced during the Covid pandemic period with sharp fall in volumes and growth rates is being reversed now.
“The Metallurgical and Foundry industries form the backbone of development in any economy, and the UAE with the fast-paced economic expansion will open diverse opportunities
for the industry to grow,” affirmed Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, Global Portfolio Director, Messe
Elaborating on the Middle East participation at `The Bright World of Metals,’ Expos slated during June 12-16, 2023, he confirmed that three blue-chip companies from the UAE have announced their participation to explore trade partnerships and business opportunities in the overall growth scenario.
The three key companies participating at the expo include Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest premium aluminium producer and the biggest industrial company in the UAE outside the oil and gas sector.
Other companies are Ducast, Middle East’s leading manufacturer and supplier of manhole covers, gratings and municipal castings, and steel products’ trading company Wirex FZE.
n Agility Logistics Park (ALP) recently announced the launch of tailored, masterplanned data Centre Campus sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Ghana, with more to come.
The sites are being readied at ultramodern ALP warehousing complexes in fast-growing markets and mega-cities that are looking to add hyperscale data centre capacity and resolve data latency, security and compliance challenges to speed their growth and improve competitiveness.
ALP is a market leader in industrial real estate in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa with 1.5mn sqm of warehousing and 12mn sqm of industrial land across 12 emerging markets countries.
“ALP has readied data centre campuses in its existing parks with power allocation, fibre connectivity, building permits, strong sustainability features and high security. The first set of campuses is in ALP parks in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait, Cairo (Egypt) and Accra-Tema (Ghana). ALP expects to add
sites in other rapidly growing data centre markets, including Nairobi, Casablanca, Lagos and more,” asserted Ronald Philip, Senior Director, ALP.
In Kuwait, the company’s site offers an existing sub-station with 80 MW capacity, and the property is allocated for two 46,000sqm data centre plots with capacity
for expansion. In addition to conventional power, the Kuwait site offers 15+ MW of solar capacity.
Agility Logistics Parks is one of the largest private owners and developers of warehousing and light industrial parks in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, a press communique concluded.
n Aramtec is delivering on a year-long strategy to become cloud-based and digitally empowered through solutions from global technology company SAP SE, it was revealed in a press communique.
To fully automate and enhance Aramtec’s import of premium food brands and goods, as well online store Butchershop.ae, the company has committed to a transformation journey including an upgrade of its ERP landscape.
The new Aramtec strategy, titled Project Phoenix, will enhance the company’s food services it delivers to hotels, restaurants, airlines and other commercial F&B outlets. With a need for flexibility, agility, and scalability, Aramtec’s adoption of cloud computing using RISE with SAP and S/4HANA solutions met all these criteria while delivering a tailored strategy based on SAP’s deep expertise in supply chain management and food service industries, the press statement continued.
“We are set to achieve greater visibility and control over all areas of Aramtec’s
operations as well as our complex supply chain and distribution network, as we have more than 2000 stock keeping units (SKUs) distributed to thousands of customers. Ultimately, Aramtec will have the capacity to respond quickly to our customers’ needs and changes in the supply chain environment,” noted Edgard Chalhoub, General Manager, Aramtec.
“By leveraging SAP’s cloud-based
S/4HANA, Aramtec will benefit from the latest SAP technologies and updates. It will enjoy precise stock control and record keeping, 360-degree views of all operations, automation of business processes, reduced total cost of ownership and the ability to manage business change and scale operations rapidly,” observed Zakaria Haltout, Managing Director, SAP UAE.
Shipsy, a leading global SaaS-based logistics management platform provider, announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Monsha’at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to support Saudi Vision 2030.
This development took place at the sideline of the recently concluded Beban 23 Forum, the Kingdom’s largest start-up, SME, and entrepreneurship conference.
The MoU highlighted that Shipsy would offer its technology at a significant concession for all customers channeled through Muntajat. The leading logistics SaaS provider also earmarked an investment worth US$ 10mn over 5 years in the region to drive technology innovation and research and development.
The Kingdom’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are most important in supporting the national economy. SMEs in KSA will increase exports, create new job opportunities for Saudi youth, diversify sources of income and expand the production base in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
This MoU’s objective will be to develop
and support SMEs and entrepreneurship under the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commensurate with the available resources, aiming to drive growth and economic diversification.
“Technologies like AI, automation, ML,
IoT, Blockchain and data analytics will create numerous employment opportunities and unlock efficiencies that will help logistics stakeholders build sustainable, agile and costefficient logistics processes,” noted Soham Chokshi, CEO and Co-Founder, Shipsy.
n The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) recently announced the addition of Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port to the newly launched India-Saudi-Iraq (ISI) shipping service by Singaporebased feeder operator Bengal Tiger Line (BTL).
Aimed at empowering importers and exporters with best-in-class offerings, the regional route further strengthens the Kingdom’s maritime connectivity in its quest to establish itself as the world’s leading logistics destination in alignment with the ambitions of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), a press communique indicated. The ISI service links the
Dammam-based hub to the Indian port of Mundra and the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr aboard a 929-TEU vessel.
A total of five cargo services linking Saudi Arabia to 43 global hubs were added to the rosters of Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port, and Jubail Commercial Port during January 2023.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure spanning 19sqkm. alongside a host of integrated logistics capabilities, the worldclass trade hub overlooking the Arabian Gulf was ranked fourteenth in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index for 2021, the press statement concluded.
enhanced convenience and reduced emissions, the company said in a press communiqué.
The firm has experienced a 250% demand growth in 2022 over 2021 for fast-charging infrastructure and is leveraging its established background in the local market and competence in electrical systems to support the nation’s clean transport ambitions.
The firm has witnessed real estate developers and property management companies initiate the drive towards electrifying their car parks to offer residents, owners and tenants fast-charging facilities within their premises.
This appetite to provide a value-added service to residents has resulted in collaborative partnerships between Powertech Mobility and real estate companies to offer innovative charging solutions. Consequently, its most popular products include the 24KW DC and 50kW DC Charging stations from ABB, the Switzerland-based global technology company, the press statement continued.
“We have installed a public network of 180kW charging stations, considered to be ultra-fast in Abu Dhabi alongside electrification of automotive dealerships with ultra-fast stations to maintain pace with the operations and logistics efficiency of an electric fleet,” stressed Arthi Srinivasan, Director, EV Charging Solutions, Powertech Mobility.
n Powertech Mobility, one of the leading providers and system integrators of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in the UAE, is accelerating progress towards achieving the UAE’s target of 42,000 EVs on the streets by 2030 through several initiatives notably by implementing fast-charging solutions that provide
“We have recently experienced a rapid increase in demand for fast and ultra-fast charging EV infrastructure. The increase has been 40% in residential areas, 70% in automotive dealerships and 100% in public fast-charging during the last year alone,” added Vinay Premachandran, Director of Sales, Powertech Mobility.
n Wiremind has won the multi-year contract to provide Qatar Airways Cargo with innovative sales and revenue management solutions from its comprehensive cargo product suite, to support the airline in its pioneering digitalisation drive.
Using Wiremind’s Revenue Management System (RMS), Qatar Airways Cargo will benefit from advanced demand forecasts and optimised entry conditions, enabling the airline to maximise its entire network contribution and revenue.
The air cargo carrier will also have access to the newly launched Overbooking module, which leverages machine learning models to forecast the cargo show-up rate on the day, supporting flight analysts in their decisions on the overbooking percentage for a particular flight to minimise capacity wastage on the day of departure.
“We are delighted that Qatar
Airways Cargo has chosen individual solutions from our cargo product suite. It is testament to the fact that we were successful in addressing Qatar Airways Cargo’s needs and shows that with the support and vision of CargoTech, we are on the right track to build impactful products to help the industry digitise and adopt the latest technologies,” affirmed Nathanaël de Tarade, CEO, Wiremind.
“Digital processes and solutions play a fundamental role in taking Qatar Airways Cargo into The Next Generation,” asserted Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo.
Wiremind is constantly developing and expanding its cargo product suite and will be bringing more solutions to the market throughout 2023 and beyond, building up the platform’s inventory management capabilities and optimisation tools for the benefit of all airlines small and large, seeking, like Qatar Airways Cargo, to adopt the latest technologies and practices.
n AD Ports Group, the leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, today announced the signing of a concession agreement to develop and operate a multipurpose port in Safaga in Egypt, in addition to signing of two 15-year agreements, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and three Head of Terms (HoT) concerning ports located in Egypt’s Red Sea region and the Mediterranean Sea, enabling a major expansion of the Group’s activities into Egypt. These agreements allow for expanded access to multipurpose terminals, cruise routes, and logistics capabilities in Safaga, Ain Sokhna, Port Said, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Al Arish.
The agreements were signed in Cairo in the presence of HE Lieutenant-General Kamel al-Wazir, Minister of Transport of Egypt; HE Mariam Al Kaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt; Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group and Major General Osama Saleh, Vice- Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Red Sea Port Authority, among other senior officials.
AD Ports Group and the Red Sea Ports Authority signed a 30-year concession agreement that allows the Group to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Safaga Port, a strategic location on the Red Sea coast of Egypt.
Safaga Port will be the first internationally operated port in the Upper Egypt region, bringing significant cost savings to traders,
industries and businesses located in this region.
The terminal will be developed over an approximate area of 810,000sqm and is set to be operational in Q2-2025. It will boast a quay wall of up to 1,000m and it will have the capacity to handle 5mn tonnes of dry bulk and general cargo, 1mn tonnes of liquid bulk, 450K TEUs of containerised cargo, and 50K CEUs of RORO.
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n Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Streit Group, the world’s leading, privately owned manufacturer of armoured vehicles, recently inaugurated Phase three of the world’s largest, privately owned, defence park for armoured vehicles at the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ).
A two-day grand opening ceremony was held to celebrate 30 years of legacy. The Streit Group showed the largest array of defense manufacturing products, engaging activities, privileged previews, and unique demonstrations, a press statement noted.
The inauguration marks the completion of the third phase of expansion planned by Streit Group, and will be added to the armoured vehicle manufacturing facility which is already operational since 2006.
A successful completion of Phase Three was attained in 2022. The Streit Group’s workforce reached 1200 employees with the completion of Phase Three, rising to 2000
employees next year, with a total investment of AED 367mn (US$ 100mn), making this the largest facility of its kind in the Northern Emirates.
Streit Marine, the marine division of Streit Group, caters to the needs of militaries, special naval forces, NGOs, coastguards, and security companies around the globe, the press communique continued.
“Streit Group is an integral part of the RAKEZ ecosystem and we are proud to play a role in their remarkable journey,”said Ramy Jallad, CEO, RAKEZ.
Guerman Goutorov, Chairman and CEO, Streit Group, remarked that the opening of Phase Three of the armoured vehicle facility is a new step in the Group’s strategy to expand its investments in the UAE and worldwide.
n AGMC, one of the leading importers of luxury vehicles in the UAE, recently signed an agreement with automotive giant Geely Auto to become the official distributor for the brand’s range of exciting sedans and SUVs in the UAE.
The agreement was penned between Jan Felton, Managing Director, Albatha Holding; Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi, Regional Manager, AGMC; Xue Tao, Deputy General Manager, Geely Auto International Corporation and Gu Xiaen, Deputy General Manager, Geely Auto Middle East, during a recent signing ceremony.
“This agreement makes the Geely Auto brand the perfect addition to the AGMC stable of high-quality automotive products, and we are confident that our customers will appreciate the combination of quality, style, and performance that Geely vehicles offer,” commented Jan Felton.
“Signing the deal with AGMC represents a promising beginning for both parties in expanding Geely’s business presence and fostering a prosperous partnership for the exciting future in the UAE,” remarked Gu Xiaen.
Geely Auto Group is a leading automobile manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China and was founded in 1986 as a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH). ZGH is a global automotive group that owns several
well-known international automotive brands, with operations spanning the automotive value chain, from research, development and design to production, sales and servicing, a press statement concluded.
n Fujairah Terminals, part of AD Ports Group, recently completed another significant milestone as part of the ongoing development of the Fujairah F3 Power Plant Project, with the successful handling of three of the largest gas turbines to have ever been deployed in the UAE region.
Scheduled for commissioning in 2023, the Fujairah F3 Power Plant Project will be the largest Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) facility in the UAE, generating sufficient electricity to power the equivalent of 380,000 households across the UAE.
One of the largest and most technical project cargoes received in the region, the latest operation saw the successful shipment and delivery of three gas turbines, which feature one of the highest levels of efficiency within the market and weigh 528 tonnes each and measure 13.85m in length, 6.12m in width, and 5.98m in height.
Reflecting the complex nature of the project, a team of highly specialised operational and safety experts were
mobilised to handle the extensive planning and preparations to ensure the successful handling and delivery of the power plant components.
Engineered heavy lifting and transport specialist, Mammoet, is responsible for the receiving, transport, and installation of the components.
“The shipments were handled in record time while maintaining the
highest standards of safety and efficiency,” commented Abdulaziz Al Balooshi, CEO, Fujairah Terminals.
Established in 2017 following the signing of a 35-year concession agreement between AD Ports Group and the Port of Fujairah, Fujairah Terminals remains the only multi-purpose terminal located on the UAE’s eastern seaboard, a press statement concluded.
n nybl, the Saudi-based AI-driven deep-tech development company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lenovo, the world’s largest IT and Solutions provider, according to a press communiqué.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening joint activities in the areas of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) to deliver customized solutions for municipal authorities, future smart cities, and environmental protection.
The collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony at the recently concluded LEAP 2023, in the presence of Noor Alnahhas, CEO, nybl, and Giovanni Di Filippo, EMEA President, Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), as well as other high-level delegates from nybl and Lenovo.
In alignment with the Kingdom’s largescale digitalization programme and increasing demands for advanced technological solutions, the new agreement will see Lenovo and nybl working together to explore innovative solutions and insights through the exploration of emerging datasets.
The collaboration will see nybl facilitating
the use cases of its technology for Lenovo global clients and its partners. This will include nybl’s Artificial Intelligence technology stack (Anything.ai) and other ground-breaking Machine Learning (ML) models and solutions.
In turn, Lenovo will provide nybl with its expertise in High-Performance Computing, as well as access to areas in its Innovation and Creativity Centre, thereby enhancing nybl’s early access to high-efficiency advanced technology.
“As a global leader, Lenovo offers us opportunities to explore future Ai innovation and drive the development of smarter solutions for the public sector,” affirmed Alnahhas.
“We look forward to supporting nybl with our core competencies and hope to leverage their experience in real-life deployment with their ambition to tackle global challenges with end-to-end Ai solution,” asserted Di Filippo.
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n Al Habtoor Group recently announced a strategic partnership with SirajPower, the region’s leading distributed solar energy provider, to deliver large-scale solar installations across eight projects of the group in the UAE.
The largest and the only locally owned and operated integrated distributed solar energy provider in the region, SirajPower, has recently commissioned a 2.8MWp solar project for Habtoor Motors, and has also committed to providing its fully integrated solar solutions to seven additional projects under Al Habtoor Group.
The combined capacity of these eight projects will exceed 5.7MWp and expected to produce 9,500MWh of clean energy annually, enabling the Al Habtoor Group to expand more sustainably while conserving energy and leaving a smaller carbon impact, a press communique stated.
“With the goal of fostering a more sustainable economy across the region, Al Habtoor Group to collaborate with
SirajPower, one of the most prosperous Emirati companies specializing in clean solar energy solutions,” affirmed Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founder Chairman, Al Habtoor Group.
The first phase of the solar project for Habtoor Motors, comprising 2.8 MWp of capacity, has been successfully commissioned and is now operating with clean energy. The second phase of the project, consisting of seven additional projects, will commence soon, according
to the press note.
“These projects are an important milestone for SirajPower, and we are committed to supporting Al Habtoor Group achieve its goals of a cleaner, greener future and in keeping with this year’s theme of “Year of Sustainability” by reducing its carbon footprint and utilizing energy more sustainably,” commented Abdulghaffar Hussain, Founder, Green Coast Group of Companies of which SirajPower is part.
n Himel, the award-winning global manufacturer and supplier of electrical products, participated in the recently concluded Middle East Energy (MEE) Exhibition 2023 in Dubai, UAE.
The brand showcased its comprehensive portfolio of products and projects for residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The Himel Pavilion displayed key product offerings in low voltage power distribution, final distribution, industrial automation, energy management and home electric categories.
The attractions included the recently launched solar range of products and smart series for appliance automation along with live Reactive Power Compensation Control cabinet and earth leakage demo of Himel’s Residual Current Circuit Breaker, according to a corporate press communique.
“At Himel, our commitment to value engineering is at the heart of everything we do. Through our vast portfolio, we are facilitating access to affordable and reliable electrical products required for the safer infrastructure of homes, commercial spaces, and industrial facilities,” affirmed Shrinivas
Chebbi, Global Business Head, Himel.
The company has also recently expanded its distribution and retail network multifold, creating robust ecosystem in Middle East and Africa. During the exhibition, Himel welcomed new retail channels Danube Group, one of the largest suppliers in the UAE for building materials and home interiors and Homesmiths, the leading home improvement store chain in UAE.
“ Leveraging our on-ground and digital marketing capabilities and resources, we aim to support our network in a wholesome way,” asserted Vibha Thusu, the company’s Global Head of Marketing and Communication.
“At Himel, we believe in building strong alliances with our channel partners to provide the best possible solutions to end-customers,” noted Onur Ural, Head of Channel Marketing & Management.
n Etihad Cargo has further expanded its online booking portal capabilities as part of the carrier’s ongoing digitalisation strategy. In the latest development of the carrier’s online booking portal, Etihad Cargo has introduced online pet shipment bookings for dogs and cats, online dangerous goods bookings, and a custom feed within the customer dashboard.
Booking the shipment of dangerous goods via the enhanced online booking portal has also been simplified. Etihad Cargo’s booking portal now enables the capture of United Nations (UN) numbers, which are globally recognised classifications that identify hazardous substances in international shipping.
“Since the launch of Etihad Cargo’s enhanced online booking portal, the carrier has continued to launch new features
that are making it easier for customers to make bookings,” commented Martin Drew, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Cargo, Etihad Airways.
The new custom feed within the customer dashboard within the portal will further improve the customer experience, enabling Etihad Cargo to customise the content it shares with customers. In addition to sharing information on green lanes and updates, the custom feed will show relevant offers and campaigns, making it easier for customers to access information relevant to their sector or region.
The new features launched as part of this development phase complement past updates, which saw the carrier introduce a more streamlined booking process that enabled users to create and confirm a booking within 45 seconds. Further
enhancements are already planned and will include features focused on specific documents and validations by origin and destination, a press statement concluded.
n The AD Ports Group (ADPG) recently announced the launch of a new direct shipping service dedicated to Ro-Ro, between UAE’s Khalifa Port and Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Port. The new service aims to improve commercial connectivity and facilitates trade with Kuwait.
“As the region’s premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, AD Ports Group is committed to utilising its integrated logistics capabilities to meet customers’ requirements, help grow their businesses,” stressed Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, Acting CEO, Maritime Cluster and SAFEEN Group, AD Ports Group, commenting on the launch of the news service.
The long-standing bilateral trade ties enjoyed between the two GCC countries in recent years saw a rapid growth in several key commodity markets. During 2022, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre’s preliminary data shows an increase in non-oil trade exchange between the two countries estimated at AED 43.5bn (US$ 11.85bn), compared to AED 38.5bn (US$ 10.48bn) in 2021, recording 13% growth.
The launch of the new shipping service between Khalifa Port and Shuwaikh Port is part of AD Ports Group’s efforts to enhance trade connectivity and facilitation in the region.
n ACWA Power, the leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants worldwide, recently announced a ground-breaking partnership agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and Samruk-Kazyna, the sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan to lead and develop a 1GW wind energy and battery storage project within the Central Asian country.
The project marks ACWA Power’s entry into Kazakhstan, and with an initial investment of US$1.5bn, aims to support national climate action, renewables integration, and sustainable development efforts through innovation and technology integration. It is intended to successfully decarbonise fossil fuel-based power generation following its scheduled completion in 2027, the company revealed in a press communique.
The partnership was formalised with a head of terms agreement signed by HE Bolat Akchulakov, Minister of Energy, Kazakhstan; Almassadam Satkaliyev, Chairman, Board of Samruk-Kazyna, and
Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman, ACWA Power, in the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, the Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who attended the signing ceremony.
“Given given the Republic’s values and emphasis surrounding decarbonization, we are delighted to expand our operations into the Kazakhstani market and support its government in reaching essential renewable
n DHL Express recently announced the launch of GoGreen Plus, a new service that will allow customers to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
This is a first for global express carriers, and will initially launch in the UK, shortly followed by Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Starting this month, customers based in these countries will have the option to select GoGreen Plus when choosing their shipping service through MyDHL+, the company’s online shipping and tracking platform.
GoGreen Plus will become available to all DHL Express customers globally over the coming months, with customers being given the chance to tailor the CO2e reduction they want to achieve and the amount of SAF they use.
The new GoGreen Plus service is made possible following DHL’s recent collaborations with bp and Neste to supply SAF to DHL Express hubs around the world.
Such SAF from wastes and residues can provide greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 80 percent over its lifecycle compared with the conventional jet fuel it replaces, a press release indicated.
“SAF is currently the primary route to
energy targets,”asserted Abunayyan.
ACWA Power’s involvement will represent the biggest Saudi investment in Kazakhstan’s power sector to date, with wind turbines and battery storage sure to unlock new value and help ensure the involved parties capitalize on emissions abatement and energy transition opportunities, the press statement concluded.
reducing carbon emissions in aviation, so this is the most effective way to help our customers make their own supply chains more sustainable,” commented John Pearson, CEO DHL Express.
The GoGreen Plus service is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
