Global Supply Chain May 2023 Issue

SAVOYE Soaring:

Advancing Automation, innovative and customised WMS, OMS & TMS

Advancing Automation, innovative and customised WMS, OMS & TMS

Introducing ODATiO and good to go Goods-To-Person & Robotics Solutions

Introducing ODATiO and good to go Goods-To-Person & Robotics Solutions

Drive the new way.

New IVECO T-WAY: high productivity and safety on off-road terrains

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.

New IVECO S-WAY: high technology and efficiency for on-road missions

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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Automation & Robotics: Full Throttle Forward

Harnessing automation, robotics and its applications in all spheres of industry—be it manufacturing, production, warehousing, sortation, logistics, supply chain, et al, is progressively becoming the norm and now in full gear. This is now a given; indisputable and indispensable.

Topflight smart technology and its derivative products and robotics are an integral and inalienable part of automated manufacturing, and its usage is on the rise, even exponentially! More and more companies are gravitating towards embracing automation and robotics and increased technology.

It is against this backdrop that Global Supply Chain has focused on Savoye, the French Warehouse Management and Logistics Automation company, for the cover story for this current May 2023 edition.

We engaged exclusively and extensively with Alain Kaddoum, Managing Director, Savoye Middle East, for the lowdown and the inside track for the company’s operations and growth in the region. Kaddoum has helmed the company’s regional operations since its establishment in April 2021. We carry an interesting full report.

Printed by United Printing Press (UPP) – Abu Dhabi

Distributed by Tawseel Distribution & Logistics – Dubai

In this issue we also have an eclectic mix of content drawn from multiple countries in the region. We have sought to balance coverage covering multiple subjects from sustainability; establishment of four new free zones in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a Q&A with Alain Thominet, Executive Chairman of the France-headquartered ECS Group, one of the largest GSSA (General Sales & Service Agents) companies in the globe.

For the most part, most of the month of April 2023 corresponded to the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan. We were delighted to be invitees for several corporate Iftars and Suhoors notably the ones hosted by the NAFL (National Association of Freight & Logistics), Turkish Cargo and GROHE LIXIL among others. We have referenced these with picture collages and photo galleries to bring home the memories.

The logistics and supply chain industry across the globe and notably the Middle East and we work hard to bring you to current on developments, reports, features, one-on-one interviews, on a plethora of subjects both in our monthly print-digital publication and also on our web portal www. signaturemediame.com

Contributor’s opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor and while every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate and timely, no liability is accepted by them for errors or omissions, however caused. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Signature Media FZ LLE & SIGNATURE MEDIA LLC and cannot be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Add to this our regular repertoire of the latest news, topical features, profiles, business analyses, professional contributions, OpEds and useful content all of which are well encapsulated and meticulously curated to make for stimulating reading!

Happy reading!

Malcolm Dias Editor

malcolm@signaturemediame.com

06

SAVOYE Cover Story

Soaring ahead on Automation and Robotics.

12 Tradeling

E-Commerce rising exponentially in the region.

14 ECS Group, France

Providing a makeover for the Group as an ‘Augmented GSSA’.

18 GROHE LIXIL

A roundup of news from the prestigious international company.

20 New Free Zones in KSA

Saudi Arabia has announced four new mega free zones in the Kingdom.

22 Qatar Country Report

Brought to our readers in partnership with Frost & Sullivan.

26 GAC Qatar

We put GAC Qatar in the scanner for the Qatar section.

30 NAFL Iftar

A pictorial miscellany.

34 Addverb OpEd

Green Logistics Transforming the Supply Chain for a Sustainable Future.

36 Swisslog OpEd

Automation technology is playing an increasingly important role in the cold chain.

38Addverb Warehousing

Optimizing Warehouse Operations with Automation Solutions for ME Businesses.

40 Turkish Cargo Iftar

Pictorial display.

44 News Up to date news of the Global Suppy Chain industry

Harnessing experience and expertise

in software, automation and robotic solutions for logistics operations

Savoye’s end-to-end customised solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into the clients’ current systems

France-headquartered supply chain software and technology company Savoye’s stated objective is to develop the supply chain sector by simplifying the management of complex systems while offering better service, greater efficiency and reduced costs.

The company prides itself in its product offerings from order placement to delivery, cloud services to packaging. Savoye experts design and integrate tailor-made solutions for Supply Chain and logistics operations.

Savoye’s wide range of services, developed over 35 years since its inception, extends from mechanized order picking to automated & robotic storage, including supply chain management software, according to a company post.

To bring us to current on technological advances at Savoye Middle East and to get the lowdown on other corporate developments, Global Supply Chain conducted a one-on-one, exclusive, exhaustive interview with Alain Kaddoum, Managing Director, Savoye Middle East.

The following are the transcripts of the engagement.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): Briefly trace the corporate journey of Savoye from its inception and its forays in the Middle East?

Alain Kaddoum (AK): Savoye launched its office in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, as

part of our endeavours to expand and diversify our portfolio. We have benefited greatly from the strategic geographic location of the nation and its sophisticated logistics network, which allowed us to strengthen our position in the regional markets.

We further strive to support the national initiatives aimed at fostering industrial activity in line with the UAE Industrial Strategy 2030. Our primary goal of penetrating the UAE market was to introduce and showcase our best solutions to the region’s logistics and supply chain hub.

Our innovative and customised solution, ODATiO, which can combine a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and an Order Management System (OMS), is one of the latest advanced solutions we introduced to the region, along with our tailormade GoodsTo-Person and allied robotics solutions. Furthermore, in major breakthroughs, we forged strategic alliances with New East General Trading in 2023 and Incube in 2021, both of which represent a significant milestone for the company. By participating in several major events and awards, we were successful in raising awareness in the logistics and supply chain industry on technologies and software solutions required in the present age to modernise and accelerate operations and activities.

As part of our mission to expand our footprint in the Middle East, we have

entered the KSA market this year, adhering to our pledge to be closer to our customers and offer professional expertise and cuttingedge solutions. We aim to innovate and offer the best solutions to the region’s everevolving logistics sector.

GSC: You were appointed Managing Director for Savoye Middle East in August 2021. What is your assessment of the company’s performance in the region under your helm?

AK: I was appointed as the Managing Director of Savoye in 2021 and my professional journey in this company has been incredible as I gained new experiences and skills. Increasing our team’s capabilities and coordination has been a top priority as I firmly believe that progress begins with the workforce.

Together, we embarked on numerous endeavours and continued attending events to raise awareness of our products, as well as network with potential clients and forge new contracts. We are pleased that we were able to establish new and strategic partnerships in both the KSA and the UAE.

At Savoye, we prioritise employee empowerment through training, skill development, and foster a working environment that values and appreciates their efforts, as employee performances have a direct influence on company’s overall growth and success. The incredible success

To handle the complexity of logistics operations, Savoye prioritises the creation of advanced and sustainable supply chain solutions. Savoye’s proprietary, signature innovative solutions that meet consumer expectations, enhance services, promote cost savings, and reduce environmental risks are necessary owing to the changing business environment, affirms the company’s supremo for the Middle East region.

and achievements we have achieved so far could be attributed to our dedicated team.

Our accomplishments define the relentless efforts of our team who work towards a common goal to offer our customers sustainable and innovative solutions. Through this journey towards achieving success, we have realised that prioritising our organisation’s strengths and competencies can lead to remarkable development.

GSC: How have Savoye ME’s priorities and expectations been rearranged and what kind of new demands or pressures are now being put on your business post pandemic?

AK: The effects of pandemic have been huge, bringing widespread economic transformations as well as restructuring and revolutionising industries across the spectrum. The growing demand in the e-commerce industry has driven clients to alter and transform their logistical processes to meet the increasing demand.

Owing to its prominent role in the global economy, the supply chain and logistics sector has experienced numerous difficulties. The pandemic brought about numerous obstacles and hurdles for the sector. Organisations were also under constraints due to the rising demand for sustainable integration, the expansion of e-commerce, and shifting trends.

The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated the need to value digital resiliency. Companies across industries are making investments in cutting-edge technologies, embracing and adopting digital innovations and automation, as it increases the competitive advantage of every business.

Automation is an ideal way to cut carbon emissions and maintain sustainable business models to satisfy the growing sustainability demands of consumers and the requirement for businesses to be environmentally responsible in their operations.

To handle the complexity of logistics operations, Savoye prioritises the creation of advanced and sustainable supply chain solutions. As a provider of logistics solutions, we work to meet the problems faced by our clients by balancing the investments made in procedures, organisations, and technologies. Innovative solutions that meet consumer expectations, enhance

services, promote cost savings, and reduce environmental risks are necessary owing to the changing business environment.

GSC: Savoye ME is a leader in robotics / software …what do you count among your strengths and USPs-unique selling propositions?

AK: We possess extensive experience and expertise in design and execution of software and robotic solutions for logistics operations. Utilising our vast knowledge, we offer a diverse range of solutions that are tailored to meet each client’s demands. Furthermore, we highly prioritise environmental sustainability dedicated to offering sustainable logistics solutions that lower carbon emissions and help create a sustainable business model.

Our end-to-end solutions could be seamlessly integrated to fit into our clients’ current systems, streamlining installation procedures and reducing any potential hitches. To keep up with the evolving logistics sector and stay current with the advancements within the landscape, we further research and develop innovative technologies and solutions. Our capability for innovation and staying one step ahead of the competition is a strong USP for clients on the lookout for progressive and strategic partners. Our global outreach includes projects in over 40 different nations across the globe. Our network enables us to offer comprehensive logistical solutions customised to meet local demands and specifications.

GSC: How important is automation for the logistics in the Middle East and what trends are you observing in the region?

AK: The demand for more streamlined and effective logistics operations is increasing as e-commerce in the region expands significantly. A trend we have noticed globally is the rise of robotic and piece handling automation in logistics operations and activities.

Automated systems are capable of boosting sorting and packaging process accuracy, minimising labour costs, and increasing operational efficiency. Automated vehicles such as drones and self-driving delivery robots are increasingly becoming popular in the last-mile delivery

services and operations.

Utilisation of ground-breaking digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to streamline and increase efficacy of logistical operations is another major emerging global trend in the sector. IoT-enabled sensors provides real-time data and location of shipments, while AI-powered algorithms help forecast demand and optimise routes. Usage of such technologies improve supply chain’s visibility and control, in addition to enhancing overall customer experience.

We believe that to efficiently handle the rising demand for e-commerce and streamline logistical procedures, automation is essential for the Middle East logistics sector.

GSC: What opportunities and challenges confront Savoye ME in a competitive

ambience?

AK: The world is significantly disrupted by advanced technologies, given its heavy reliance on digital solutions, and we are confident that there exists a tremendous opportunity for us to network with businesses and raise awareness on technologies that could transform their companies, as well as offer them our solutions.

Even though plenty of businesses are currently emerging in the market providing solutions similar to ours, Savoye distinguishes apart in this regard by constantly innovating and presenting new solutions that are unique to the sector.

For instance, at Savoye, we use one of our ground-breaking solutions, the ODATiO software, to address the complexity of the logistics systems. The warehouse and transportation management systems in

this multipurpose solution are intended to improve productivity and communication. We offer businesses the ability to manage their storage space, assure precise tracking of product arrival and departure, and assess the amount of fuel needed to ship the items using ODATiO. Similarly, our order management systems, robotic assistance, and packing equipment assist in meeting technological requirements of the sector. Through these, we address environmental challenges as well as keep our clients informed and on top of the ever-changing business landscape.

GSC: Savoye ME recently signed a contract with New East General Trading. Tell us more.

AK: We partnered with the New East General Trading L.L.C., a prominent regional distributor of automotive components, to supply automated solutions to the company’s Dubai Distribution Centre. This is a significant milestone for both companies as we work together to foster innovation and boost efficiency in the spare parts supply chain industry while raising the benchmarks for automated solutions in the Middle East. By integrating our highly advanced Autonomous Case-handling Robots (ACR) solution—the first of its kind to be used in

the Middle East—we aim to automate the New East’s distribution centre and simplify complex internal systems. This cutting-edge solution is based on Savoye’s Pick-To-Light technology, Haipick Autonomous Casehandling Robots (ACR), and Intelis conveyors.

The entire system is overseen by the Savoye Warehouse Execution Software (WES), which synchronises robots and conveyors with customer procedures in the most efficient manner. Our ground-breaking ACR solution is intended to revolutionise the supply chain industry by streamlining complicated internal systems and providing better services. Furthermore, the New East company will boost the efficacy of automotive parts trade between the UAE and other GCC countries.

GSC: What is the extent of Savoye ME’s participation in the upcoming Seamless Middle East 2023 and what do you hope to accomplish at the event?

AK: Participating in major events is an ideal opportunity to network and interact directly with other businesses as well as leaders to form meaningful alliances. We are confident that the Seamless Middle East 2023 will provide such an opportunity, further providing an excellent venue to showcase and raise awareness about our range of cutting-edge solutions in the sector and illustrate how they work.

For this year’s event, we aim to strengthen our ties with several major corporations, broaden our audience, and inform many new and up-and-coming businesses on improving their supply chain and logistics operations. We will also showcase at our stand one of our state-of-the-art robotic solutions for retail and e-commerce industries.

GSC: What new technologies will you be highlighting or introducing at Seamless ME 2023?

AK: During the Seamless ME 2023, we intend to showcase one of our state-ofthe-art robotic solutions for retail and e-commerce industries. We will install at our booth a live demo system of our latest ACR

High-speed automated technologies such as X-PTS shuttle solution is designed to ergonomically address high throughput and high volumes requirements

solutions by Savoye.

The ACR system offers high scalability and flexibility which can be ideal for growing and evolving businesses. This innovative solution managed by our WES software, offers easy and seamless integration possibilities either with customer’s existing WMS or through our ODATiO WMS module.

Visitors will also have the possibility to experience our advanced supply chain execution software throughout look and feel demo sessions. In addition, we will have a special focus on our high-speed automated technologies such as our X-PTS shuttle solution which is designed to ergonomically address high throughput and high volumes requirements.

GSC: Generically, how important is technology in your business and how is Savoye staying ahead of the innovation curve?

AK: Our company is primarily centred on technology. This is what we create and innovate. To keep abreast of innovations, we make significant investments in research and development as well as forge partnerships with various technological companies. At Savoye, we are committed to sustainability.

It is our key priority and therefore we invest in cutting-edge technologies that lower carbon footprint and promote environmentally friendly logistics operations. In addition, our global presence provides us with information about new technologies and trends in logistics, which we efficiently utilise in crafting our development goals and strategies.

GSC: What are your expansion plans for the company for the foreseeable future in the region?

AK: Currently, we are expanding to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We plan to extend our presence to other GCC countries as well. However, our primary vision, as well as a challenge, is to penetrate the ASEAN region. In addition, we are also working towards growing our suite of intralogistics solutions.

GSC: Who are among the top three performing countries in the region for Savoye ME?

AK: We clearly see high demand for warehouse automation and supply chain

execution software in UAE and KSA. These two countries are traditionally dominating the region in terms of demand and number of automated projects installed. Both cater for almost 90% of the GCC automation market volume.

We also have high hopes on Kuwait market where we start seeing few initiatives of warehouse automation there. Last but not the least, recently Qatar had an extraordinary exposure worldwide during the World Cup 2022 which we believe will boost the tourism in 2023, generate more business opportunities and lead to an increase in supply chain demand that can be translated in more inquiries for automated warehouses in the country.

GSC: How significant is the region for Savoye?

AK: As a leading provider of cutting-edge supply chain solutions that make use of automation, robots, and software, we firmly believe that we will experience a substantial demand for our services in the Middle East since the region’s retail, pharma, spare parts and e-commerce sectors are expanding significantly.

In addition, the region serves as a vital

logistical hub due to its strategic location at the intersection of major trade routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Businesses in the region can leverage our expertise in end-to-end logistics solutions that seamlessly integrate with their current systems to streamline operations and increase visibility of supply chains.

GSC: How did Savoye perform in 2022 and what is your prognosis for 2023 going forward?

AK: At Savoye, we believe that our unwavering dedication to promoting sustainability and digital technology is the key to success in the region. Since Middle Eastern companies are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly and technologically advanced logistics solutions, we are concentrating heavily on enhancing our sustainability efforts.

We anticipate entering partnerships with multiple new companies in 2023, especially considering our recent cooperation with New East General Trading and other major organisations in the region. Furthermore, we are looking forward to accelerating our drive for innovation to deliver better and more advanced solutions.

Tradeling notes rapid growth in the UAE’s e-Commerce Market

Tradeling, the Middle East’s leading business-to-business (B2B) e-marketplace, has observed significant growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s e-commerce sector, it was revealed in a recent press communique.

The UAE has been a particular bright spot as major investments, acquisitions and partnerships with global companies have helped the country position its capabilities as the 27th largest in the world. Recent data shows that the UAE’s e-Commerce market is projected to generate US$ 17.2bn in revenue by 2027 and experience an annual growth rate of 8.4% through the next four year.

E-Commerce sales in the UAE were estimated to grow by an average of 23% per year between 2018 and 2022. The pandemic was a driving factor for this growth as it accelerated the country’s digital shift and positioned it as an e-commerce leader among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries; the UAE’s online shopping resulted in US$ 2.6bn in sales in 2019.

Its market grew by 53% and recorded US$ 3.9bn in sales the following year before reaching US$ 4.8bn in sales in 2021 and reflecting an 84.6% increase over the two years prior.

Internet connectivity

Almost 100% of the population has internet connectivity and mobile phone access, and this is what is fueling 70% of e-commerce transactions. As a result, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry forecasts e-commerce in the UAE to generate US$ 8bn in sales by 2025.

The benefits of this strong trajectory have extended beyond the Emirates’ borders and bolstered the region. Despite signs of a global slowdown trend in online sales post-pandemic, MENA e-commerce sales rose by 21% to reach an astonishing US$25 bn in revenue last year.

With the UAE ranking as the fastest-growing e-commerce market in the world in 2022, and its burgeoning online population, all signs point towards this momentum being sustained.

Digital economy

“Since the UAE began digitalising its economy in 2013, immense progress has been made in leaps and bounds across all sectors. E-Commerce in particular is demonstrating this, as there is a proliferation of digital wallets, an increasing number of individuals are embracing the idea of a cashless society, and the vast purchasing power of the UAE’s approximate population of 10 million is being realized,” commented Marius Ciavola, CEO, Tradeling.

As MENA’s dominant B2B marketplace, Tradeling is playing an instrumental role in the UAE’s e-commerce rise. The company has grown rapidly since its inception three years ago with a wide selection of more than 1.7 million products across 14 categories and more than 200,000 registered buyers and sellers from 55 countries. Partnerships with local entities such as Wio Bank and Food Tech Valley, as well as global ones like Mastercard, are further solidifying Tradeling’s presence while simultaneously helping to prop up the country’s economy, the press note concluded.

UAE e-Commerce is projected to grow by 8.4% annually to generate US$17.2 billion by 2027

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A makeover for the ECS Group as an ‘Augmented GSSA’

The leading industry Group wants to be in the forefront of market transformation

Acutely mindful of the need to update the traditional GSSA model (General Sales & Service Agents), the ECS Group is remodelling the foundation for the GSSA model of the future and continues to evolve in that direction. “In the near future, we might no longer be a GSSA but a GLA, General Logistic Agent, which means that we will cover even more outsourcing solutions, beyond the commercial aspects,” affirms the Group’s Executive Chairman in an exclusive interview with Global Supply Chain.

The French ECS Group is the consolidation of major local GSAs around the world, some of which existed before ECS Group was formed in 1998. These GSAs decided to unite and form the first ever GSSA Group in Europe and the USA.

The 25-year-old ECS Group offers the air cargo industry worldwide knowledge and experience with a complete cargo outsourcing solution. GSA CARGO ECS offers airlines a comprehensive GSA service which encompasses all aspects of their cargo capacity management.

The award-winning ECS Group, headquartered outside Paris, prides itself as the world leader in GSSA business, serving airlines. It represents hundreds of companies in over 48 countries through its 171 offices.

According to a company post, the ECS Group has cumulatively carried over 1,400,000 tons on behalf of the airlines it represents and thus contributes to their growth and development on the international stage, in the air cargo sector.

Global Supply Chain conducted an exclusive interview with Adrien THOMINET, Executive Chairman, ECS Group, where he discussed a wide range of issues concerning the company and the industry.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): What does being a GSSA (General Sales and Service Agent) entail and how does the ECS Group embody the GSSA business model?

Adrien Thominet (AT): A GSSA represents airlines to commercialize air freight capacity and supervise complex local operations and administration services. They call on us to save time as well as resources as they are generally looking to expand into new markets or streamline costs in an existing location.

At the ECS Group we define ourselves as more than a GSSA. We are an ‘Augmented GSSA’, which is a new approach to tackle both current and forthcoming challenges. Through our four pillars: Commercial,

Adrien Thominet—Biography

Abilities, Technology and Sustainability, we provide our customers with solutions to cope with a constantly changing market.

Aware of the need to update the traditional GSSA model, we are laying the foundation for the GSSA model of the future and continue to evolve in that direction. In the near future, we might no longer be a GSSA but a GLA, General Logistic Agent, which means that we will cover even more outsourcing solutions, beyond the commercial aspect.

The ECS Group Chief Executive Officer Adrien Thominet was named as the new Executive Chairman of ECS Group on 01 August 2021, succeeding Bertrand Schmoll. Adrien was born in 1972 in Paris, France. After graduating in Business Economics, he started his career in New York as Commercial Director at FICOFI, a luxury brand promoting Bordeaux ‘grands crus’ fine wines globally. He then worked for UniFrance Film in Tokyo where he managed the Yokohama Film Festival.

In 1995, Adrien joined the ECS Group as Commercial Manager for the company’s AeroCargo business unit, where he subsequently became Managing Director.

In 2009, Adrien accepted the challenge of leading the commercial development of the Group, before his appointment in 2011 as Chief Operating Officer. In 2017, the ECS Group nominated Adrien as Chief Executive Officer to fully align with the transformative needs of their partners and clients and support them to navigate the shift to compete in the digital economy.

Since then, Adrien has led the Group to develop its service offerings, in particular its Total Cargo Management offering and its outsourcing solutions, enabling airlines to delegate all of their freight activities to the Group. His drive to invest in digital technology and make the Group a leader in this area has also helped to make this service offering possible thanks to cutting-edge tools that maximize performance.

GSC: How do you describe the performance and growth of the ECS Group over the 25+ years since its inception?

AT: Since its beginning, ECS Group has grown steadily thanks to smart acquisitions and an innovative business approach, with a permanent diversification of services. Our real strength lies in this constant evolution and agility.

GSC: How significant is the Middle East for the ECS Group?

AT: UAE and Turkey are strategic markets hence we invested very early in this region and have offices in the countries through our subsidiary Globe Air Cargo. We also had important trade products for Africa, so the UAE was an ideal platform.

GSC: What are the opportunities and challenges confronting the ECS Group presently?

AT: One of our main challenges today is related to constraints on costs vs revenue:

we aim to maintain the highest possible yields to preserve the health of the company, which is paramount in the current market situation.

As a GSSA we are accompanying the market transformation, and at ECS Group we even want to be at the forefront of this transformation. So, we adapt to the digital transformation but also take sustainability into account. The same applies to emerging markets such as pharma and e-commerce. Market transformations are fully integrated into our strategies, and this is the strength of ECS Group.

We are always looking for opportunities, especially since, as a GSSA, we have the possibility to attract new customers thanks to our services. At a time when the market requires agility and cost control, our set of services, the abilities, has been developed specially to satisfy a wide range of needs. We will continue to adapt it according to market evolutions. ‘Cost Control’ will be a general issue for airlines and ECS Group has

the right tools to help them deal with it.

We also see an opportunity in Central America and Africa, where we hope to be present soon, as the two regions show promise in terms of air cargo development.

GSC: How is technology impacting your business?

AT: Digitalization is a strategic lever that was reinforced by the pandemic and becoming essential. If digitalization has been slow in our industry, we cannot deny that it is now a crucial transformation, impacting all areas of our business.

Within the ECS Group, technology and digitalization are a key part of our processes, with a strong focus on staff-training. Furthermore, we have our own incubator, the Cargo Digital Factory which already offers various tools.

Quantum, for example, supports the adhoc pricing process. Another one, Apollo, is a BI and reporting system with real-time full visibility on the results, combining

market and performance information. Finally, Pathfinder is our in-house shipment tracking system. We are also part of the CargoTech which acts as an accelerator of tech companies and talents to transform and digitize the cargo industry.

Technology is therefore central to our current strategy. ECS Group wants to become a leader in this area, to offer new tools that can lead the transformation of our industry.

GSC: Bring us to speed on the new service/s you have introduced in the recent past?

AT: The new abilities are single modules that we have created beyond all standard GSA services, offering a variety of support options - a new set of à-la-carte products. These are unique products that we have developed in-house to meet the new demands of our customers and the new realities of the market.

Whether it’s revenue optimization needs, accompanying them in their expansion by finding the right talents, or offering a total

PATHFINDER: In-house

learn how to use the tools and wield them to their full potential.

In other words, it depends on how fast we can learn to work in new ways as an organization. With this in mind, we designed our e-learning platform ‘Discovery’ that brings together all our tools, and a precise vision of our industry and our GSSA business to best train newcomers and continue to train the other employees.

GSC: How has the ECS Group performed in 2022 and what is the outlook for 2023?

AT: It’s no secret in the industry that 2022 was the best year ever regarding business. Through our ‘Augmented GSSA’ strategy, we reinvented the traditional role of a GSSA. Our focus has been on service awareness while implementing our four pillars.

We also expanded our footprint in Asia with the opening of two Globe Air Cargo offices, one in Korea and the other in Japan. We have also recruited new experts to support the development of our business and we are proud to have just over 1,400 employees today.

cargo management solution, among other things, our customers can always count on us.

We are particularly proud of our total cargo management solution, All-In. From sales, marketing, to revenue optimization, network operations, quality, safety, and security management and even charter operations we offer airlines total peace of mind.

The return of passenger flights and additional leisure travel will for sure drive the need for Total Cargo Management services, as the airlines will look to optimize the cargo revenues of the belly capacity. And our customers can rely on us to consistently deliver high-level management services wherever they are required.

GSC: Earlier this year the ECS Group ramped up and expanded the in-house training programme. Tell us more?

AT: Our industry is undergoing a digital transformation. At ECS Group, we believe that the success of a transformation depends on the speed at which people

2023 promises plenty of challenges: we expect revenues to fall by about 20%, a logical decline in yields (already observed at the end of 2022) but which we hope will be offset by digital solutions. Thus, our abilities will continue to be developed to meet the new reality of the market.

We also plan on developing new digital tools thanks to CargoTech while integrating more and more CSR into our processes. Finally, we will continue to open new offices and renew our contracts in Asia as we did in 2022.

GSC: As the official at the helm, what is your vision for the ECS Group for the longterm going forward?

AT: Our vision is quite clear, and it starts today: to transform the concept of GSSA into a general logistics agent.

We aim to be a GSSA that is fully compliant with sustainability rules, with a CSR aspect fully integrated in its processes, and that can accompany the digital transformation of our industry, offering innovative tools at the cutting edge of technology.

Our vision is to be the leader in the transformation of our industry, today as well as tomorrow!

QUANTUM: supports the ad-hoc pricing process.

APOLLO: BI and reporting system with realtime full visibility on the results.

shipment tracking system.

GROHE announces top appointment for LIXIL EMENA

Alexey Bykov to head operations for the Middle East Region

GROHE has announced the appointment of Alexey Bykov as the new Leader of the Middle East region at LIXIL EMENA. The appointment came as a testimony of GROHE’s continued focus on growth, innovation, and customer success across the globe, a press communique stated.

With over 20 years of experience in the construction and sanitary ware industry, Bykov will now spearhead GROHE’s operations across the Middle East as he has previously held leadership positions in various renowned organizations and has a proven track record of driving growth, innovation and digital transformation.

GROHE SPA celebrates ‘Health through Water’ at Milan Design Week

GROHE showcases its revitalized premium sub-brand GROHE SPA

Attracting architects, designers and visitors from all over the world, the recently concluded Milan Design Week held in the Northern Italian industrial city in the third week of April 2023, is one of the biggest and most important annual events for creative minds. On this occasion, the rejuvenated brand invited attendees and called on customers and users to indulge in holistic water rituals.

The design elite, and young upand-coming talents, as well as global brands, showcase their work with exhibitions, presentations and events spread throughout the city. In this vibrant setting, GROHE, a leading

global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, presents its revitalized GROHE SPA sub-brand at the prestigious and historical art museum Pinacoteca di Brera.

The broad portfolio ranges from elaborate faucet collections, customizable ceiling showers and intricate ceramics to complementary accessories. In addition to showcasing these exclusive products which create unique luxurious wellbeing areas, the brand expresses the GROHE SPA ‘Health Through Water’ concept through a water-inspired installation reflecting the stunning architecture of the art museum.

In his new role, Bykov will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to drive regional business growth and profitability. He will also focus on expanding the customer base, building partnerships and driving innovation to contribute to the company’s overall success, in addition to overseeing the company’s operations in MENA.

Bykov extensive experience and passion for driving growth through innovation make him ideally suited for this role, as his leadership and GROHE’s team of experts in the region will provide customers with the best products and services, the press statement continued.

Bykov previously served as Leader, Grohe Russia, Central Asia and Caucasus, where he helped establish a strong brand presence in the region. He has also held leadership positions at several other multinational companies in the building materials and fast-moving consumer goods industries.

Premium quality, cutting edge technology

“Our products form a symbiosis of premium quality, cutting-edge technology, unrivalled precision, and progressive design, a perfect match for the event’s sophisticated audience. The incredible immersive

installation rounds off our presence by combining our passion for water with the beautiful surroundings of the Pinacoteca di Brera,” affirmed Karl Lennon, Leader, GROHE SPA, LIXIL EMENA.

“By appealing to different senses with our installation, we want to create a special experience for our guests – just like our GROHE SPA products do. Transforming the bathroom into a home spa is not about using individual products, but about creating holistic experiences that embrace the positive effects of water on the body and mind,” asserted Patrick Speck, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, EMENA

GROHE LIXIL hosts a sumptuous Suhoor in Dubai

The One Michelin-starred 11Woodfire Restaurant, that prides itself in natural firewood cooking and located in an upscale Dubai neighbourhood was the venue of a splendid and exclusive Suhoor dinner reception hosted by GROHE LIXIL for its associates and media persons.

The guests were graciously welcomed on this occasion by hosts, the newly appointed Alexey Bykov, Leader, Middle East,

LIXIL EMENA and Gita Ghaemmaghami, Leader, Communications & Corporate Responsibility, MENA, LIXIL EMENA.

The guests were treated to a delightful repast of the choicest, delectable fare deliciously prepared by accomplished Malay-Singaporean Chef Akmal Anuar. It was a perfect dinner reception—great food, great company, great bonding moments and camaraderie. Everyone had a swell time!

Four new special economic zones to be established in Saudi Arabia

The zones to create new hubs for businesses across key growth sectors

Four special economic zones are to be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince HRH Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, recently announced.

The aim of the new zones, located in Riyadh, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair and King Abdullah Economic City, is to open new opportunities for international investors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“Saudi Arabia is open for business and welcomes investors from all around the world to see first-hand the historic opportunities we have to offer,” the Crown Prince affirmed.

The zones will take advantage of the Kingdom’s strategic location to create new hubs for businesses across key growth sectors so that they can launch and expand companies and technologies that will help shape the future, according to the SPA.

Fresh Solutions

The zones, which will be regulated by the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, will provide fresh solutions to the challenges many global businesses face as they attempt to localize and strengthen supply chains, they added, and help the Kingdom take advantage of key macroeconomic shifts to create a truly differentiated business environment, activating new sectors and value chains.

“This is an exciting moment. We are proud to see the launch of these four special economic zones that offer the chance for foreign investors to have a stake in the world’s fastest growing economy,” commented Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, and Chairman, Saudi Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority.

The zones launched today cover a wide range of industries:

King Abdullah Economic City SEZ:

KAEC is the premier destination for advanced manufacturing and logistics, from automobile supply chain and assembly to consumer goods, ICT to MedTech. Set in a prime location on the Red Sea, less than 90 minutes from Jeddah Airport, this 60sqkm site offers unrivaled access to global trade routes through King Abdullah Port, ranked the world’s most efficient by the World Bank in 2022.

Jazan SEZ:

An industrial center and key platform for trade with fast-growing markets in Africa and Asia, Jazan SEZ offers access to the largest port in the region for export of goods and import of materials, helping investors benefit from and contribute to large-scale infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and around the world, backed by

easy access to both natural and industrial resources.

Ras Al-Khair SEZ:

A launchpad on the Arabian Gulf for leaders in the maritime industry, Ras Al-Khair SEZ is a fully integrated marine ecosystem, with a rich network of existing investors – 40% of the zone is already reserved – and myriad opportunities across shipbuilding and repair, offshore drilling and maritime value chains.

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology:

In King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), a new Cloud Computing SEZ will serve as a hub for emerging and disruptive technologies. A direct manifestation of the Kingdom’s ‘Cloud First’ policy, the Cloud Computing SEZ underlines the Kingdom’s commitment to digital innovation and the fast-growing tech sector.

Qatar Mantra: Strategies point to All-round Economic Development

The Country’s National Programmes and Visions aim to harness technology and innovation to drive sustainable economic growth

Global Supply Chain, in conjunction with top global business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, presents its annual Qatar Country Report in this edition. The country’s current economic indicators and financial parameters look very encouraging and promising. The GDP of Qatar increased from US$ 142 billion in 2020 to US$ 231 billion in 2022, partly due to stimulus support, infrastructure investment, and improved demand for oil and gas during the period. It witnessed a growth rate of 1.6 % in 2021 and 4.8 % in 2022, affirms a senior company consultant familiar with the region’s supply chain and logistics industry, in his exclusive mega contribution to this report.

Economically, the State of Qatar is on a roll and the nation’s finances are on strong ground. All economic indicators from official sources and institutions point to that.

From this perspective, corroborated in this special Qatar Country Report, J Sivan, Senior Consultant, Supply Chain & Logistics Practice, Frost & Sullivan, summarizes the country’s economic landscape with the following key highlights:

Qatar National Development Strategy 2018–2022: The economic diversification and private sector development, along with the development of economic infrastructure

J Sivan is Senior Consultant, Supply Chain & Logistics Practice, Frost & Sullivan

J. Sivan has over 15 years of experience in economic, industrial, supply chain, and logistics research and consulting space. He has hands-on experience developing insights and actionable strategies for various strategic and operational challenges relating to supply chain and logistics.

were given priority. Manufacturing, tourism, logistics, ICT, finance, and professional services are some of the sectors that were benefited by the diversification initiative plans.

The Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy focuses on creating advanced manufacturing value chains to transform Qatar into a major manufacturing centre. The main focus areas of this strategy were increasing FDI, encouraging entrepreneurship, improving access to local finance, promoting international trade, encouraging and financially supporting innovation, and developing local talent.

Qatar’s increased cooperation and improving trade and investment relations with GCC members and other countries in the MENA region is likely to drive intraregional trade growth.

The Qatar Smart Nation Programme aims to harness technology and innovation to improve quality of life and help drive sustainable economic development across five priority sectors: transportation, logistics, environment, healthcare, and sports.

The Third National Development Strategy, which is under preparation, is expected to focus on development and

modernization of healthcare, education, digitalization and encourage green investment by the private sector.

J Sivan, Senior Consultant, Supply Chain & Logistics Practice, Frost & Sullivan, responded to a recent comprehensive questionnaire by Global Supply Chain. The following are the transcripts.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): The Qatar economy is boosted by surging oil prices and revenues. What implications does this have for the country’s economy in real time and what is your assessment of the same?

J. Sivan (JS): Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, demand for LNG from Europe has increased due to supply disruptions from Russia. Qatar, one of the world’s top LNG exporters is expected to benefit from this development. Oil revenue is expected to contribute US$ 52 billion in 2023, as per the government budget estimates. OPEC production cut announced in April 2023 is expected to have positive impact on oil prices in H1-2023.

Global oil demand is expected to increase moderately due to the lifting of Covid-19 lockdowns in China and secondly better

than expected economic performance in the US. Increase in demand from China is likely to offset the slower growth trends in North America and Europe.

GSC: As things stand currently, what are the key takeaways and highlights of the Qatar economy?

JS: While two-thirds of the GDP is generated in the non-oil economy, revenue contribution from non-oil sector accounts for only around 20% of total revenues. Inflationary conditions are likely to push delay in implementation of VAT, if implemented VAT has the potential to add additional revenues of 1.2-1.5% of GDP.

North Field Expansion (NFE) project at an estimated cost of US$ 30 billion, seeks to enhance the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum to 126 million tonnes per annum by 2027. Production from the North Field East project is likely to begin by 2025.

As per IMF estimates, central government debt is expected to decline from 58% of GDP in 2021 to 36% of GDP in 2027.

Going forward, key drivers of growth will be the large-scale infrastructuredriven projects in transportation, logistics, healthcare, energy, environment, education, and sports. Private sector participation is expected to increase.

Despite progress in economic

diversification, Qatar remains highly dependent on hydrocarbon revenues. Expansion of non-oil sectors is likely to take off driven by private and foreign investment.

GSC: Qatar is ranked the fourth most wealthy countries on the planet. In this framework, how strong are the country’s economic fundamentals?

JS: High economic growth and stable population growth have helped Qatar improve its per capita income. For example, per capita GDP has increased from US$ 66300 in 2015 to US$ 82800 in 2022 as per IMF estimates. However, this increase was not consistent, as oil sector growth is highly vulnerable and sensitive to energy prices resulting in fluctuating economic growth rates.

High per capita income has contributed to accelerated adoption of digital technologies across the sectors. This has led to improvement in quality of social infrastructure such as health, education, and housing and enhanced the quality of life.

GSC: How did the hosting of the World Cup 2022 boost Qatar’s economy?

JS: Qatar hosted more than 1.4 million visitors during the World Cup in 2022. As part of the preparations for this event, it invested over US$ 200 billion to strengthen its transportation infrastructure, sports

complexes, and residential complexes.

National development plans have identified tourism as one of the areas that has growth potential in the future. Qatar gained attraction as an international investment destination and hub for sports, finance, and healthcare services.

Modernisation of infrastructure is expected to support expansion and growth of international tourism, the number of tourists expected to increase from 2 billion in 2022 to 6 billion by 2030.

GSC: Where are the new opportunities and challenges for investment in Qatar and which sectors hold the most promise and potential?

JS: The Third National Development Strategy is expected to focus on health, education, protection systems and living standards. This strategy will enable Qatar to be prepared to face any potential uncertainties in the future with more flexibility and resilience towards promoting a decent life. Several opportunities have emerged since the pandemic for economic transformation— digitalisation and green investment, for example, have the potential to accelerate diversification with green growth.

Several initiatives such as Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy, digital transformation initiatives, and Smart City

Development have been launched by the Qatar government as part of its economic diversification initiative. Such initiatives are expected to open up opportunities in cyber security, E-commerce, financial technology, healthcare, logistics, smart city solutions, and cloud services.

GSC: Supply chain and transportation infrastructure development are the centerpiece of the nation’s economic vision Qatar National Vision 2030 …. comment please?

JS: In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, the logistics sector is one of the key sectors for diversifying its economy and reducing the country’s reliance on hydrocarbons. The National Transportation Master Plan aims to expand network of new roads, expressways, and strengthen free zones equipped with world class logistics infrastructure.

Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport are being modernised to improve connectivity. Development of industrial and logistics parks is likely gain priority over the next seven years. To reduce the gap in skills, academic programmes in logistics and supply chain are being offered at -academic institutions in Qatar.

GSC: How significant is the logistics and supply chain industry to Qatar?

JS: Transportation and storage sector accounted for 4.5% of GDP and emerged as one of the fastest growth sectors driven by infrastructure investment and digitalisation of supply chain. Average growth is estimated to be in the range of 8 to 10% and will play a key role in post pandemic economic recovery.

The economic diversification initiative is expected to increase contribution in non-oil sector which accounts for 48% of GDP.

Major non-oil sectors are manufacturing, construction, and retail trade which together accounted for 28% of national GDP. High priority is given for the development of these sectors, and as a result the demand for logistics services is expected to improve between 2023 and 2030.

The private sector has been encouraged to develop infrastructure and logistics facilities across key ports and major urban centres.

GSC: There has been substantial investment in the Qatar’s sea ports / airports / transportation sector. What are the repercussions of these moves?

JS: The Qatar Transport Master Plan 2050 lays a roadmap for investments in land transportation infrastructure.

Public-private partnerships are encouraged in building infrastructure and operating the country’s transportation systems.

Digitalisation of supply chain and logistics sector is likely to be accelerated in ports, warehouses, logistics parks, and free trade zones which is likely to improve overall efficiency of logistics and improve competitiveness.

GSC: How important are natural gas and oil to the country’s economy? What implications do oil revenues have for the logistics sector in the country?

JS: As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), Qatar’s estimated proven natural gas reserves were 843 trillion cubic feet in 2022 and Qatar holds 11% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves.

Asia and Europe are the two major destinations for LNG exports with 71% and 22% respectively. Following the RussiaUkraine war, more European countries are exploring sources for LNG supply. Qatar is likely to benefit from this increase in demand for LNG from Europe.

As per Budget 2023, revenue is estimated at US$ 62 billion assuming that oil prices will stay high. At $65 per barrel, contribution from the oil sector is estimated at US$ 52 billion. Thus, nearly 80% of the revenue is from the oil sector.

While funding for economic diversification initiatives depends on oil revenues and expanding manufacturing. Construction and renewable energy sectors are dependent on oil and gas sectors. Logistics services are closely linked with the performance of these sectors.

GSC: Based on current trends and economic indices, what is Frost & Sullivan’s prognosis for the Qatar economy and the logistics and supply chain sector for 20232024?

JS: Medium term growth prospects will remain strong due to lower debt ratios, improving government finance, and

declining dependence on external sources for financing infrastructure projects.

GDP growth is expected to be in the range of 2.5% to 3.0% in 2023 which will be lower than 2022 GDP growth of 4.8%.

The logistics sector contributed to 4.5% growth of the national economy and is expected to grow by 5 – 6 % in 2023. The logistic sector witnessed 11 % and 15 % growth in 2021 and 2022 respectively and was a major contributor for post pandemic economic recovery.

GSC: How significant are FDI (Foreign Direct Investments) and the free zones for the Qatar economy? What percentage (ballpark figures are fine) of the country’s economy do these constitute?

JS: FDI stock increased from US$ 7 billion in 2005 to US$ 38 billion in 2016, an increase of nearly US$ 32 billion. Most of the inward FDI (about 80% to 90%) is invested in the oil and gas sector (exploration and production), transportation, and marketing activities. As of 2022, FDI inward stock contributed 12% of national GDP and FDI outward stock contributed 29% of national GDP.

Qatar has two free trade zones (Ras Bufontas Free Zone and Umm AlHoul Free Zone) currently under the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QZFA), which is responsible for the growth and regulation of Free Zones in Qatar. Free Zones are located close to Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port, providing connectivity to companies operating in these zones. Currently, Hamad port handles 2 million TEU and has direct access to Umm AlHoul Free Zone.

Hamad airport has the capacity to handle 2 million tons of cargo per annum with connectivity to 54 shipping destinations across the globe.

Different laws and regulations govern foreign direct investment. Logistics, chemicals, and emerging technologies are some of the sectors with robust growth potential. Companies will benefit from 100% foreign ownership, renewable 20-year tax holidays, zero corporate tax, zero customs duty, nil personal income tax, tailored incentives, and access to a skilled and flexible workforce.

(Report compiled with partnership and input from Frost & Sullivan)

Sustainability set to drive GAC Qatar’s warehousing operations

Adoption of sustainable practices and innovative technology to define company’s business strategies

Warehouses in Qatar are embracing sustainability as the Middle East looks to bolster its position as a global trading hub. In this contribution, the GAC Group looks at how sustainable warehousing infrastructure and operations boost its position as a market leader in contract logistics.

Qatar has witnessed robust growth in its logistics and warehousing operations over the past few years: a trend that looks set to continue this decade. According to a research report by Invest Qatar, Qatar’s logistics market is forecast to lead the way in the Gulf Cooperation Council region with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% between 2020 and 2026.

The country’s logistics and warehousing sector is being driven by expansion in global e-commerce, improved infrastructure and greater industrial activity. What’s more, ahead of hosting FIFA World Cup 2022,

it massively expanded and improved its logistical services and infrastructure with smart controls to prevent excessive usage of resources.

Push for sustainability

However, that growth must be tempered with measures to reduce the negative impact of business on the planet looming larger. Any expansion of warehousing and logistics operations must factor in sustainability – particularly in a region that has been championing the adoption of sustainable practices and innovative technology to enhance business strategies.

“Sustainability is now a crucial element of today’s modern logistics market. By incorporating green technology into operations, logistics providers can improve productivity and reduce costs, while demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable future – something global stakeholders are increasingly looking for,” affirmed Henrik Althén, General Manager, GAC Qatar.

In December 2022, GAC Qatar opened its new 27,000sqm multi-user contract logistics facility and office building in Ras Bufontas Free Zone. The building features 40,000 pallet positions, four temperature and humidity-controlled chambers, 500 m² of dedicated value-added services space and 2,000sqm of mezzanine storage.

The warehouse was built with

sustainability at its core, in terms of building materials, methods and technology, and is Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certified. Using 100% recycled water from in-built storage building air coolers, it also boasts energy-saving features such as environmentally friendly controlled thermal insulation, thermal transmittance technology, advanced building management systems and LED lighting with motion sensors.

Watershed moment

“The construction of this latest facility was a watershed moment for us,” added Henrik. “It demonstrates our Group’s commitment to provide sustainable and green logistics services in Qatar, throughout the wider Middle East region, and beyond.”

In line with the Group’s long-term vision to reduce its carbon footprint, plans are already in place to further improve the facility with solar panels, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant for irrigation, and a plantation and irrigation system that requires low water consumption.

“Creating an eco-friendly warehouse or logistics centre wasn’t just a box-ticking exercise for us. We explored the options available in the market, individually picking features and materials that would meet our warehouse requirements in a sustainable manner,” asserted Adrian Peiris, Business Manager for Contract Logistics, GAC Qatar.

Boosting efficiency

“Even though we have just opened our facility, we are already looking at ways to boost efficiency by working with contractors to see how we can heat up water using the heat from the air conditioning units and convert heat from the compressors into power. Ultimately, we aim to produce all the energy we consume,” he continued.

Qatar is uniquely positioned as an attractive global trading hub with newly established free zones and world-leading port and airport facilities that foster sustainability. As Adrian noted, that makes it even more important for local logistics

providers to embrace the national desire to promote sustainability, renewable energy and green innovations.

As the development of eco-friendly warehousing in the Middle East picks up pace, sustainable and efficient day-to-day operations at these facilities will become equally important.

FMCG

Qatar is a major hub for trading routes for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) travelling between Europe and Asia: a sector that is increasingly lucrative amid a rise in global e-commerce and changing

consumer demands. As these goods are highly perishable or have a short shelf life, safe and efficient warehouse operations are key to ensuring these goods make it to the market in a sellable state.

“Failure to pick and deliver the right products in the right state can lead to wastages in inventory and lost revenue for our customers. That is why our new facility has been designed to optimise our operational efficiencies as well as synergies between our various service offerings,” noted Adrian.

“For example, we can offload a 40 ft container full of pallets in just under 30 minutes. Our facility has been designed to ensure quick turnaround times for all types of products, particularly those that require special attention,” he further observed.

Cold-storage capabilities

That includes sustainable cold-storage capabilities to store perishable products efficiently and the Group’s proprietary Warehouse Management System GACware that keeps track of stock levels, expiration dates and product data in real-time, with alerts issued to customers during each transaction stage.

“Sustainability is built into our daily operations,” stressed Adrian. “We have an advanced docking system that requires a truck to be fully reversed up to the dock before the facility door can be opened. Our dock houses are built using materials of controlled thermal insulation and thermal transmittance properties and our air curtains are integrated with shutter doors. These help us control the temperature and humidity in the facility and reduce our overall power consumption.”

With just 3 million people living in Qatar, the country’s market size is proportionately small, although it’s growing steadily. But its position as a leading logistics provider serving three continents is only going to rise as customers look for efficient logistics services that can ensure their products reach their market safely, securely and quickly.

As customers look to partner logistics service providers that embrace sustainability, warehousing operators must adapt accordingly, either by incorporating green features into the infrastructure or operations.

NAFL’s holds grand Iftar Dinner treat for key industry professionals

The well-manicured lawns and the extravagant settings of the posh luxury Raffles, The Palm, Dubai, provided a splendid backdrop for the traditional, sumptuous Iftar Reception hosted by the National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL).

Over 250 especially invited guests were welcomed and treated to a lavish dining experience. On hand to welcome them in person was Nadia Abdul Aziz, the longserving President of NAFL and the first Emirati to hold this apex position.

In her brief welcome opening remarks, Nadia affirmed the role of the Association

to forge and consolidate close relationships between the multiple constituents and stakeholders in the industry for mutual growth. “This reception is a recognition of your efforts, persistence and devotion to stay the course and remain cohesive for mutual good,” she told the well-attended gathering comprising the who’s who in the trade and senior industry professionals.

Nadia also acknowledged the presence and representation from dnata, Calogi, Dubai Police, DP World, Dubai Airports, Dubai Customs, Government regulators and other stakeholders whilst also thanking them for their continued commitment and

support to NAFL and the industry in the UAE. She also assured members of NAFL’s commitment to the industry cause and to work assiduously for their interests.

Appreciation

Nadia Abdul Aziz also expressed her gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group, Chairman of Dubai World, and Honorary Patron of NAFL, for his valuable and continued support to the Association, which have been instrumental

in spurring the Association attain multiple accomplishments over the years.

Also present on the occasion were NAFL Board members—Ahmed Abdul Razeq, Maltrans Emirates-Al Ghaith Group (Vice President); Sudesh Chaturvedi, GAC Logistics, (Secretary General); Mathew Chacko, MRC Shipping & Logistics (Treasurer); Madhu Madathil (Rais Hassan Saadi Group); Praveen Chandrasen (Kays Logistics); Majid Barzanji (Mateen Express); Ibrahim Abu Zayed (Al Fadhil Al Mazruoie Company); Tegin Thomas and Christina Struller (UPS).

The National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) was founded in Dubai in February 1992 under a mandate from the Government of Dubai to respond to the need to bring together the increasing number of freight and logistics service providers in the UAE. NAFL is the first national association of freight forwarders to be established in the Arabian Gulf.

Transforming the Supply Chain for a Sustainable Future

Companies must embrace a range of green logistics strategies to achieve a sustainable supply chain

As the world becomes more focused on sustainability, businesses across all industries are exploring ways to reduce their environmental impact by driving revenue, reducing operational costs, improving business reputation, building consumer perception, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility. Green logistics, also known as sustainable logistics, is a growing trend that focuses on reducing the environmental impact of extensive transportation and distribution of goods involved in maintaining global commerce.

To this end, companies must include the use of electric or hybrid vehicles for transportation, optimizing routes to minimize fuel consumption and emissions, and implementing waste reduction and recycling programs. Additionally, companies can use automation to improve the

efficiency and accuracy of their intralogistics operations, such as by implementing realtime tracking and monitoring systems.

ASRS

Storage, transport, and inventory management are three important aspects of warehouse operations. With the adoption of robotics and automation systems such as the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), companies can consider using efficient motor drives, reusing the energy from braking, and using the latest battery technology (LTO) with the longest life cycle.

In addition, this is a way for warehouses to utilize the cubic meter vertical space of a warehouse, thereby reducing the overall footprint of the facility. With the advantage of the cost of buildings and land, there is also less area to heat or light up, resulting in

energy savings.

This is even more critical in the application of frozen warehouses, where there are fewer walls and roofs to absorb heat from the outside, resulting in lower refrigeration costs. This is evident in the Middle Eastern market. Each country, be it in the

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or Bahrain, has its own set of challenges due to its proximity to the sea or in a location far away from electrical transmission lines.

With real-time inventory updates from advanced Warehouse Management Software (WMS), warehouse managers can easily effectuate FIFO (the first-in-first-out) method to reduce inventory wastage with fixed shelf lives.

Inventory Management

Inventory can also be managed at forward locations such as smaller warehouses or micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) to not only improve consumer experience but also reduce on-road transportation of vehicles or reduce vehicles with suboptimal capacity utilization. Smart Fleet Management Systems (FMS) and Truck Management Software can combine inventory management with efficient transportation by planning inventory routes, task allocation, and scheduling.

With such collaborative and intelligent transport systems, supply chain managers will reduce transition times, leading to energy savings. It also ensures the optimal capacity utilization of vehicles, reducing overall carbon emissions.

A fully automated warehouse can be seen as a lights-out (dark) warehouse with almost no human involvement. When space is better utilized, operations are optimized to every bit, and wastage is reduced significantly; there is less space to illuminate, less distance to transport, and less waste to process. In addition, it increases the efficiency, reliability, and accuracy of warehousing operations. (Addverb is a End to End warehouse automation solution provider.)

Traditional oil-producing countries are moving towards electricalbased production, and businesses are increasingly adopting innovative strategies to make their supply chains more sustainable, asserts Varun Visruthan, UAE Branch Manager, Addverb, in this OpEd.

Thriving in the Cold Chain: Harnessing the Power of Automation

Automation technology is playing an increasingly important role in the cold chain, enabling faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective operations

As the demand for temperature-controlled products continues to rise, so does the need for efficient and reliable cold chain logistics. From food and beverages to pharmaceuticals and biotech products, proper storage and transportation of these temperature-sensitive items are essential to maintain their quality and safety emphasizes David Dronfield, General Manager, Swisslog Middle East, in this exclusive OpEd for Global Supply Chain.

The cold chain is a critical part of the global supply chain, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation and storage of perishable goods. A report by Fortune Business Insights indicates that the global cold chain logistics market is projected to grow to US$ 647.4 billion by 2028.

Warehouses in general are struggling to attract and retain talent. A report titled Warehouse Vision Study found that 60% of warehouse and distribution center operators agree that labor recruitment is a top operational challenge. It’s not unreasonable to conclude that this situation will be worse in cold storage facilities where working conditions can be harsh.

Automation technology is playing an increasingly important role in the cold

chain, enabling faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective operations. Automation is playing a key role in addressing the labor, efficiency, and throughput requirements of cold storage facilities.

Flexible Automation Systems

However, unlike other facilities where flexible automation systems can be adapted to virtually any environment, achieving the true benefits of automation in a cold chain warehouse requires tight integration between the building design, operation expertise and automation system.

At Swisslog, we are at the forefront of cold chain automation, helping companies around the world optimize their supply chain operations. Our experience has

shown that there are several key trends and technologies driving innovation in the cold chain today.

First and foremost, data analytics and realtime monitoring are essential for optimizing cold chain operations. By collecting and analyzing data from sensors and other sources, companies can identify bottlenecks, optimize routes, and improve overall efficiency, gain insights into temperature patterns and identify potential issues before they become problems.

Real-time Monitoring

Real-time monitoring ensures that any issues can be quickly addressed, reducing the risk of spoilage, and ensuring that products are delivered on time and in

top condition. AI can also help to predict demand, optimize inventory levels, and even suggest the most efficient routes for transportation.

Another trend is the use of robotics and automation in cold storage facilities. Automated systems can help reduce labor costs, increase accuracy, and improve overall efficiency. Swisslog has developed a range of automated storage and retrieval systems specifically for cold storage applications, helping companies increase throughput and minimize the risk of product damage or spoilage.

At the same time, the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) delivery is also driving innovation in the cold chain. With more consumers ordering fresh and frozen foods online, there is a growing need for last-mile delivery solutions that can maintain product integrity and freshness. With the use of the right automation technology, e-grocers can make sure to easily transport cold items and deliver outstanding reliability.

Sustainability

Finally, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration in the cold chain. As the global focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions continues to grow, companies are looking for ways to minimize their carbon footprint.

Swisslog is committed to sustainability

and has developed a range of solutions to help companies reduce energy consumption and waste in their cold chain operations. The best example of these systems is the Swisslog PowerStore system, which employs low-footprint pallet lifts in place of aisles to enable storage 20 pallets deep.

PowerStore provides the industry’s most dense automated pallet storage, further improving cold retention. As each storage level is serviced by individual shuttle vehicles, the system redundancy or operating “uptime” is high. It also supports the high throughput requirements of today’s high-turn cold storage facilities and delivers outstanding reliability to minimize service technician exposure to deep freeze environments.

Innovative solutions

We have been developing innovative cold chain automation solutions that leverage these trends and technologies. For example, our SynQ platform uses AI to optimize processes and provide real-time visibility into the cold chain.

In conclusion, the cold chain is evolving rapidly, and automation technology is playing a critical role in driving innovation and efficiency. By leveraging data analytics, robotics, and other cutting-edge technologies, companies can optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve the quality and safety of their temperaturesensitive products.

Optimizing Warehouse Operations with Automation Solutions for Middle East Businesses

Addverb’s advanced software suite enables real-time inventory tracking and predictive analytics

Over the past decade, the Middle East has experienced a significant rise in commercial businesses, from startups to multinational conglomerates, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar emerging as prominent market leaders during this period. However, this rapid growth has also highlighted the necessity for adaptation within the current system to effectively meet the ever-growing demands and fast-changing customer expectations, notes Varun Visruthan, UAE Branch Manager, Addverb.

In the Middle East, business owners encounter a multitude of challenges as they strive to ensure the supply and delivery of products in a timely manner.

Just name it: production, storage, delivery, returns, customer service – each of them is facing expeditious scaling and require prompt revisions and corrective plan by all stakeholders.

As a result, professionals across supply chain verticals and multiple industries echo the same thoughts – restructuring and streamlining supply chain operations with technological aid to constantly keep up with the changing market dynamics.

An automaton expert, Varun Visruthan, UAE Branch Manager, Addverb, affirms that the challenges faced by businesses in the Middle East can be attributed to

various factors such as concerns related to warehouse space and high real estate costs, shortage of labor, inefficient inventory management resulting in stockouts or overstocking, high infrastructure needs, unforeseen e-commerce growth, lack of knowledge about automation, general economic prosperity, and complex regulatory environments.

Understanding challenges

Visruthan, and the Addverb team have a keen understanding of the challenges that customers may face. The first and one of the most crucial obstacles faced by companies in the Middle East is the scarcity of manpower, which can lead to longer lead times, lower productivity, and increased

labor costs.

It could be argued that the unavailability of labor may not be the primary factor driving managerial discussions, but rather the skill set, background and qualifications of the existing workforce could play a crucial role. Another factor to consider, is that some nationalities in the region may be hesitant to work in certain sectors, which can make it challenging for businesses to find skilled workers especially with the increasing trend of nationalization in respective countries. Even if a company successfully recruits these workers, they may require training, but eventually leave for better opportunities, resulting in loss of retention and the valuable skills acquired. This, in turn, necessitates starting the recruitment and training process anew. These aspects

are important for management to take into account as they address human resources challenges in the region.

Difficult puzzle

Furthermore, the e-commerce market growth has been a difficult puzzle to solve, with the fast-moving competition strategies and rising clients’ expectations constantly creating new guidelines for businesses in the Middle East. Starting from an increase in orders and returns, the traditional intralogistics operations led to the need for automation that is nowhere close to as it used to be couple of years ago.

Now, the question is not whether to go for a new technological step, but how to ensure its implementation in the existing facility to keep speed with the market trends. Traditional companies that are not adapted to such a fast-paced evolution may find it challenging to cope with new requirements.

Visruthan observes a general lack of awareness about warehouse automation in the Middle East, as there are few companies specialized in this field, in the region. This can result in losing the opportunities to apply the vast solutions of intralogistics automation to improve process flows. Businesses may continue to rely on manual and labor-intensive processes, which can be time-consuming, error-prone, costly in the long run and may put them at a competitive disadvantage.

Evaluating risks

Considering all challenges and evaluating all risks, the Middle East market is still attractive for new business comers and big companies’ expansion plans. The question is: how to avoid or prepare yourself to overcome the challenges while maintaining the planned scalability and long-term objectives?

“Scalable solutions are the way forward, and our expertise and experience at Addverb make us the right partner for any business looking to automate their warehouse operations. Educating our customers and giving them the right information at the right time helps them to see a whole new dimension to their existing operations,” asserted Visruthan.

With extensive experience in designing automation solutions, technical expertise, and strong commitment to customer satisfaction, Addverb has earned a reputations of trusted warehouse automation solutions manufacturer and supplier. Their comprehensive suite of mobile and fixed automation systems can be integrated seamlessly into both new and existing warehouses, covering all aspects of intralogistics operations.

Modular solutions

These solutions are highly customized, modular, and flexible, designed to cater to specific business requirements in diverse industries, and configured to expand or scale down as per the business needs and market demand. With such modular solutions, businesses can easily integrate new automation systems or replace old ones, as needed.

Powering its robust set of robotic systems, Addverb’s predictive analytics, businesses anticipate demand patterns, plan inventory levels, and optimize their operations accordingly. In fact, it has become a necessity for businesses in the Middle East to implement such reliable and efficient way to address the challenges they face in their warehouse and supply chain operations.

Turkish Cargo hosts delightful,

As is the practice each year, Turkish Cargo recently hosted its grand celebratory 2023 Iftar reception in the plush settings of the Loulou’a Ballroom at the Ritz Carlton Dubai in the upscale Jumeirah Beach Residences district.

The event, marked with both gaiety and solemnity, was well attended by over 200 especially invited guests representing multiple stakeholders—agents, associates, clients, freight forwarders, logistics and cargo services providers, government officials, industry professionals, media persons and senior functionaries drawn from other related constituents.

The guests were warmly received by the Turkish Cargo host team led by S. Burak Omeroglu, the Cargo Division’s Vice President, Cargo Sales (Middle East and South Asia). In a brief welcome address, Omeroglu alluded to the rapid growth of the carrier’s freight operations in the UAE and the region and its numerous successes and accomplishments globally that have catapulted the airline into the top league of air cargo carriers.

grand Iftar Reception in Dubai

Tremendous growth

Among the distinguished attendees was HE Onur Şaylan, the Consul General of Turkey to Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In his short opening remarks, HE Saylan expressed his satisfaction with the tremendous growth of the carrier and its air cargo services not only between the UAE and Turkey but indeed around the world.

Well known and long-standing Al Naboodah Travel and Tourism is the general sales agent (GSA) for Turkish Airlines. “As a professional agency with over 45 years of experience, we cherish our extended partnership with Turkish Airlines and treasure our strong corporate bonds,” affirmed Nasir Jamal Khan, the company’s CEO.

Offering comprehensive services to 132 countries and more than 340 destinations and one of the fastest-growing air cargo brands around the world, Turkish Cargo has been carrying out the air cargo transportation operations of Turkish Airlines since 1933.

Turkish Cargo’s SMARTIST facility at its mega hub in Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (IST) will have a closed area of 340,000sqm and an annual capacity to transport 4 million tons of cargo.

Acme launches new generation Radio Shuttle System

n As part of its commitment to the UAE’s ‘Operation 300bn Strategy’ to develop the country’s industrial sector and encourage production of ‘Made in the UAE’ brands, prominent warehouse automation solutions provider Acme Intralog recently launched a locally manufactured Radio Shuttle system named ‘Namla’.

Meaning ‘ant’ in Arabic, Namla is inspired by the natural intelligent system employed by nature’s tiny creatures–ants, who diligently carry items from one place to another, a press communique noted.

“Namla is hundred percent made in the UAE by Acme. It is the only robotic Radio Shuttle that is locally manufactured in the country, and I am proud of this pioneering initiative by our team. Our new generation Radio Shuttle can drastically improve pallet storage density for standard pallets of up to 1,500 kg,” affirmed Navin Narayan, CEO, Acme Intralog.

“Customised options for specific needs and higher load requirements are

available on request. Namla improves productivity as well as safety of operations in a high-density distribution centre,” he continued.

The semi-automated system can be handled by forklift in a customised rack. Namla can be operated remotely with an industrial grade touch panel that allows for quick task management. The Li-ion battery is designed to last through a typical shift operation of a distribution center for a minimum of eight hours. The batteries are easily interchangeable for continuous operation.

Acme also offers a Namla polar edition, which operates safely in harsh temperatures and can be deployed by the cold storage industry, operating safely between -30 to + 40 degrees, the press statement continued.

“We have had a great response for Namla from our clients and we are currently looking for regional distributors and integrators for our Radio Shuttle,” concluded Narayan.

TALKE reports a progressive 2022

n TALKE, one of the world’s leading providers of logistics solutions for the chemical industry, is satisfied with the developments in 2022, despite global uncertainties. The company has seen a significant increase in global sales compared to 2021.

Growth in overseas business has exceeded expectations and made a positive contribution to the Group’s earnings. The company sees challenges for the domestic market because of the energy crisis and its impact on the industry. To effectively address these, the company has introduced a performance programme, a press communique indicated.

TALKE’s sustainability framework is called ‘Crafting Responsible Logistics’ and covers four areas of action, which the company is progressively fleshing out and implementing. The company has also forged ahead with its digitization initiatives. In this context, TALKE has introduced real-time tracking in the transport area and automated processes through various SAP extensions. In the Middle

East region, TALKE has completed its chemical hub in Dubai with a fully automated filling facility directly connected to the hazardous materials warehouse.

In addition, the company has decided to build a second ‘Multi-User Logistic Centre’ on a 300,000sqm site at the Jubail Commercial Port in Saudi Arabia. The new distribution centre will be used by the surrounding

industry and offers a comprehensive, integrated range of services.

The company has received multiple awards for its high safety standards, such as commendations for achieving 20 million working hours without any lost-time incidents in the Saudi Arabian TALKE joint venture and 6.5 million working hours without any lost-time incidents in Qatar.

Saudia Cargo awards multi-station contract to Worldwide Flight Services

n Saudia Cargo has officially awarded a landmark multi-station contract to Worldwide Flight Service (WFS), which significantly extends cargo handling services across major key airport gateways in Europe and the United States of America.

The contract was formally signed by Teddy Zebitz, CEO, Saudi Cargo, and John Batten Executive Vice President, EMEAA, WFS, at a recent ceremony held in Saudia Cargo’s Jeddah Headquarters to inaugurate new agreement.

WFS will now be handling over 160,000 tonnes of cargo annually for Saudia Cargo, in addition to providing ramp handling services for air cargo shipments onboard over 5,000 passenger and freighter flights per year.

“WFS is a global leader in providing cargo handling services and by awarding this contract to them, we are certain that our operations in pivotal stations on the European and American continent

that are part of WFS’ network, will considerably benefit from their highly reliable expertise,” noted Zebitz.

“Our strategic operations in the Eastern hemisphere are exceptionally advanced and well-equipped to meet the needs of Saudia Cargo’s services,” commented Batten.

The contract with WFS covers its services at several important stations including

Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Manchester, Brussels, New York, and Washington, a press communique indicated.

“Both companies are also exploring future opportunities for furthering their partnership by expanding to new destinations where WFS possesses cargo handling capabilities,’’ remarked Mohanned Badri, Vice President of Operations, Saudia Cargo.

Honeywell to open advanced regional manufacturing centre in Saudi Arabia

n Honeywell is to open an advanced regional manufacturing centre at the King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), Saudi Arabia’s new energy industrial zone.

The new facility will become Honeywell’s eighth site in Saudi Arabia, reflecting both the company’s strategic growth objectives in the Kingdom and its support for Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program to advance local capabilities in research, development and manufacturing of cuttingedge technology, it was announced in a press statement.

“The ground-breaking of our new facility at SPARK represents a significant investment and an important milestone in Honeywell’s long history of partnership with Saudi Arabia, which dates to 1948. We are proud to support Saudi Arabia’s most important companies in localizing and developing innovative technologies to advance critical sectors of the economy,” affirmed Abdullah Al-Juffali, President, Honeywell, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The new facility will be developed in

phases, with Phase One expected to be completed in 2024. Honeywell broke the ground for the facility at a ceremony attended by a delegation of global and regional Honeywell executives including Vimal Kapur, President and Chief Operating Officer; John Waldron, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer; Ben Driggs, President, Global High Growth Regions, and Mohammed Mohaisen, President and CEO, Honeywell Middle East and North Africa, as well as and senior leaders from SPARK and Aramco.

“Honeywell’s investment in our ecosystem will contribute to local economic growth and help create more job opportunities for Saudi nationals in advanced technology sectors,” commented Saif Al Qahtani, President and CEO, SPARK.

King Salman Energy Park is a new megaproject being constructed and located between Dammam and Al-Ahsa in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This project is being developed, operated and managed by Saudi Aramco.

GWC recognised for its digital innovation at the ICC C4DTI Awards

n GWC, Qatar’s leading logistics provider, was felicitated as the recent ‘Best Logistics Systems Operator’ at the inaugural London C4DTI Awards hosted at the Great Hall of Lincoln’s Inn in London. The ceremony saw the logistics industry come together and celebrate excellence in digital trade and innovation, a press statement indicated.

The awards ceremony supports the objectives of the Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (C4DTI) and took place alongside the Digital Trade Conference (DTC) to bring together industry and government practitioners.

The Award comes as a reaffirmation of the ground-breaking logistics mandate delivered by GWC during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM. Through its MDS project (Master Delivery System), GWC was able to prioritise deliveries, minimise unplanned deliveries and reduce bottlenecks.

With a strong focus on responsibility, accountability, consensus-oriented solutions, and transparency, associated with this new system.

“For a successful logistics delivery, two components matter the most –technology and human capital. The MDS system was offered free of charge to the FIFA delivery partners and customers to make deliveries to all stadiums and training sites, as well as several nonofficial sites which require screening

at a RSP (remote search park). This represented a key example of a winning combination between people and technology,” stated Ranjeev Menon, Group CEO, GWC.

GWC handled more than 15 million cans of beverage, 3.8 million pieces of linen, 1.8 million pieces of equipment, 200,000 hospitality match tickets, 200,000 packages of media equipment and 193,600 pieces of fixtures for the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, the press note concluded.

Cathay Pacific takes major steps towards its sustainability goal

n As the Cathay Pacific Group continues to make important strides towards becoming a sustainability leader, it recently announced the release of its 2022 Sustainable Development Report, which underscores the Group’s ongoing commitments and progress in achieving its sustainability goals.

Titled “Greener Together,” the report reflects Cathay Pacific’s belief that driving progress towards a sustainable future requires strong partnerships and collective action.

“As we enter an exciting new phase of rebuilding Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong, one of our key development areas is becoming a leader in sustainability. This means working together with many different stakeholders, partners and corporate customers to reconnect Hong Kong to the world in sustainable ways,” affirmed Ronald Lam, CEO, Cathay Pacific.

“Despite the very difficult start we had to the year, 2022 saw several important milestones achieved in our sustainability journey. These involved yet more important steps towards developing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply chain, reducing single-use

plastics in our operations and continuing to advance the agenda of wellness and diversity for our people,” he continued.

Driving progress towards decarbonisation: As part of efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and using SAF for 10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030, Cathay Pacific launched Asia’s first major Corporate SAF Programme. Garnering support from eight launch customers, the programme sends a strong signal to the SAF supply chain that there is firm interest in the region.

Extending the carbon-offset programme: First launched in 2007, Cathay Pacific’s long-standing voluntary carbon-offset programme, ‘Fly Greener’, has now been extended to its cargo operations – an extremely important part of its business. This provides its customers with a more sustainable cargo solution.

Surpassing the target to cut single-use plastics: The carrier reached a 56% reduction of single-use plastics use on a per passenger level compared to the 2018 baseline and are now in the process of launching a new target.

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Hutchison Ports announces investment of US$ 700mn in Egypt

n Hutchison Ports, the global port operator, recently announced a significant investment in Ain Sokhna Port, Egypt’s major port, and B100, a new container terminal in the Port of Alexandria.

The total investment of the two projects is US$ 700mn, bringing Hutchison Ports’ total investment in Egypt to over US$ 1.5bn and paving a solid foundation for the company’s strategy to expand its network and enhance its capabilities in emerging markets. The investment includes the development of a new container terminal in Ain Sokhna Port with a capacity of 1.7mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to provide efficient and reliable services to customers.

In addition, Hutchison Ports will invest in the development of B100, a new container terminal in Port of Alexandria, which will serve as a gateway to the Egyptian market. Present at the

concessions signing ceremony were HE Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minster of Egypt, and HE Kamel Al Wazir, Minister of Transport, Egypt, and Eric Ip, Group Managing Director, Hutchison Port.

“We announce our investment in Sokhna and B100, which reflects our commitment to Egypt and the wider African market. These investments will enable us to provide highquality services to our customers and contribute to the growth and development of the local economy,” remarked Ip.

The new container terminal in Sokhna will provide a significant boost to Egypt’s maritime trade, as it is strategically located on the Red Sea and offers direct access to major shipping routes. The B100 container terminal, on the other hand, will provide a new gateway to the Port of Alexandria, which is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean and a key hub for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Dubai Maritime Authority launches programme to strengthen partnerships in the Emirate’s Maritime sector

n The Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) at the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, the regulator of the shipping and maritime sector in Dubai, recently announced the launch of the programme designed to strengthen partnerships across the maritime sector in the Emirate.

It sought to engage decision-makers from maritime transport companies in the DMA’s efforts and initiatives to enhance the sector’s contribution to the local economy, according to a press communique.

The programme was launched during an interactive meeting organized by DMA in the presence of over 100 senior managers and decision makers representing international, regional, and local organizations contribution to Dubai’s rich shipping and maritime sector, along with senior DMA officials.

“The programme creates a regular platform for periodic engagement with representatives of maritime companies to discuss the market realities with the goal of enhancing the efficiency of operations, promoting transparency, facilitating and standardizing procedures, maximizing opportunities, strengthening investments and enhancing the maritime industry’s contribution to Dubai’s economy,” affirmed Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Executive Director, Dubai Maritime Authority.

Engagement with the sector will accelerate over the coming months, with a series of periodic workshops with experts from various maritime companies in the Emirate. A series of meetings that aim to

strengthen existing partnerships between the government and private sectors, while offering continuous support the sector to further advance the comprehensive economic development in the Emirate.

Mugharraq Port opened in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhannah City

n HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, recently inaugurated Mugharraq Port in Al Dhannah City, in the western (Gharabiyah) Al Dhafra Region.

Strategically located on the western coasts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the port has served as a hub for offshore, oil and gas, general cargo, logistics support, bulk and break-bulk handling services since 2017.

HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed was briefed on Mugharraq Port’s facilities and its expansion activities upon arrival at the inaugural ceremony. Mugharraq Port achieved international port status by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (ISPS Code).

Since then, the port has developed relationships with international oil and gas

‘GROW with SAP’ brings proven Cloud ERP benefits to midsize customers

n SAP recently announced ‘GROW with SAP’, a new offering to help midsize customers adopt cloud ERP that enables speed, predictability and continuous innovation. GROW with SAP customers get the same best practices powering the world’s industry leaders, while benefiting from rapid deployment and frictionless updates.

“SAP’s ERP offering has long enabled end-to-end transparency across the business for the world’s leading companies. With GROW with SAP, we’re taking this to the next level for midsize companies, with a tailored offering that helps them grow their business,” affirmed Christian Klein, CEO and Member of the Executive Board of SAP SE.

“GROW with SAP provides the agility and innovation midsize companies need not just today, but for their success in years to come,” he continued.

For 50 years, SAP has been working hand in hand with customers across

every industry and using this expertise to benchmark and define best-in-class, industry-specific processes. GROW with SAP provides these preconfigured best practices that midsize companies can immediately adopt. Embedded AI and automation capabilities mean customers see rapid results, a press communique indicated.

The GROW with SAP offering also brings together SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition, with accelerated adoption services, a global community of experts and free learning resources, helping customers go live in as little as four weeks, a press communique stated.

“When we develop a new product and we have it on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition, with one push of the button, everyone sees the exact same prices, the localized naming, product data, sales for today and the expected sales next week,” asserted Guy Claesen, CEO, RIHO.

“With GROW with SAP, SAP

companies, channelling essential cargo, such as oil and petrochemicals. The first international shipment was received in August 2022.

“Today’s inauguration of Mugharraq Port reflects our commitment to the continued enhancement of our wider maritime and logistics capabilities within the Al Dhafra Region,” commented HH Sheikh Hamdan. “AD Ports Group’s strategic investment projects will continue to aid the development of the Al Dhafra Region, as well as promote growth opportunities for local businesses, supporting economic growth, enhancing leisure and recreation, and preserving the region’s rich maritime heritage,” observed Falah Al Ahbabi, Chairman, AD Ports Group.

“The expansion of Mugharraq Port will attract more international companies, particularly within the energy and shipping sectors, which will significantly benefit from the specialised services offered,” remarked Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

recognized they need to better fit the business and technology requirements of midsize companies looking for a cloud ERP solution,” observed Mickey North Rizza, VP, IDC Enterprise Software Group.

AP Moller-Maersk launches new US-China air cargo link

n In an effort to meet its customers’ end-to-end logistics needs, AP Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has introduced two new air freight services with regular flights linking the Unites States with China.

Between the world’s two largest markets for ocean customers, with solutions for time sensitive and high value cargo via new air services.

“At Maersk, we want to ensure that our customers have the visibility, reliability, and resilience in their supply chains. Air freight continues to be an important asset in our customer´s end-to-end logistics needs,” asserted Michel Pozas Lucic, Global Head of Air, AP Moller–Maersk.

Maersk will commence with two weekly flights between Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) and with two weekly flights between Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH).

Maersk recently opened a new Chicago air freight gateway facility to add more supply chain integration opportunities for customers using Chicago O’Hare International and Rockford International.

The operation will be done with three newly acquired Boeing 767-300 freighters that have recently been added to the fleet of Maersk Air Cargo, the inhouse cargo airline of Maersk, and will be operated by Miami-headquartered cargo airline, Amerijet International.

ADNOC L&S unveils World-Scale Integrated Logistics Services Platform

n ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) recently unveiled its Integrated Logistics Services Platform (ILSP), one of the largest turnkey offshore logistics offerings in the world that enables coordinated end-toend management of logistics and maritime operations at its base in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi.

As part of the launch of the ILSP project, ADNOC L&S confirms that it signed a US$ 2.6bn (AED 9.5bn) contract with ADNOC Offshore to provide integrated logistics services.

The agreement runs for five years, with the option of a fiveyear extension, and includes the provision of port services, warehouse operations, heavy lifting, material handling and shipping, rig and barge moves, marine terminal operations and waste management services.

Over 80% of the contract value will flow back into the UAE’s economy through ADNOC’s successful In-Country Value (ICV) program.

“As we deliver on our ambitious growth strategy, we continue to unlock greater value both for our customers

and ADNOC L&S, and reinforce ADNOC L&S’ position as the region’s largest shipping and integrated logistics company and global maritime energy logistics leader,” commented Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO, ADNOC L&S.

ADNOC L&S created the ILSP as part of its ongoing commitment to support the continued growth of the region’s energy sector, a press communique indicated.

“Building on the world-class capabilities and expertise of ADNOC L&S, we’re delighted to work in partnership to enhance the efficiency of our operations, as we continue to strengthen ADNOC’s position as a low-cost, lower-carbon intensity energy producer,” remarked Tayba Al Hashemi, CEO, ADNOC Offshore.

The company has the most diversified fleet in the Middle East, owning 245 vessels and managing over 600 vessels annually. Its fleet and its 1.5mn sqm integrated logistics base in Mussafah position the company as a global maritime logistics leader, the press statement concluded.

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Latest EZDubai Report highlights double-digit growth of MENA E-commerce market

n EZDubai, the fully dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, recently launched the third edition of its ‘E-commerce Report in the MENA region’ in collaboration with Euromonitor International, the world’s leading provider for global business intelligence, market analysis and consumer insights.

The report revealed that the MENA region’s total e-commerce market size reached US$ 37 bn in 2022, with a double-digit growth rate from 2021 and a 32% CAGR over the 2018-2022 period.

The MENA’s double-digit growth is due to robust internet usage, a welldeveloped infrastructure, and supportive policies. Several trends also contributed, including the increasing popularity of digital payment platforms, the rise of online grocery shopping, and expanding tech initiatives.

The UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Israel accounted for 72.1% of the total market size, with the growth in these countries attributed to factors including their technologically advanced populations, high-internet usage rates, and strong government finances. Specifically,

Israel’s innovative economy and the rising demand for speedy delivery services propelled it to the forefront of the market.

The MENA e-commerce market size is expected to reach US$ 57bn in 2026, with a CAGR of 11% over the 2022-2026 period. Although countries like the UAE, KSA and Israel are expected to remain leaders in e-commerce market share, countries like Algeria are expected to see

strong growth.

“At EZDubai, we recognise the strategic importance of e-commerce to the region’s economic development. We are committed to working closely with the government sector, and local and international businesses to further support the growth and success of this dynamic industry,” commented Mohsen Ahmad, CEO, Dubai South Logistics District.

FedEx Launches International Economy Freight services in Saudi Arabia

n FedEx Express recently announced the launch of its FedEx International Economy and FedEx International Economy Freight services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deferred services will enable businesses in Saudi Arabia to expand their global reach in a cost effective and reliable way, a press communique stated.

FedEx International Economy and FedEx International Economy Freight are affordable, cross-border, customs-cleared, door-to-door services with a day-definite delivery. The services allow customers to save on less time-sensitive deliveries of shipments up to 68kgs using FedEx International Economy, as well as medium to heavy shipments ranging from 68kgs to 1,000kgs using FedEx International Economy Freight, without compromising on reliability, the statement continued.

The FedEx International Economy services are ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are more thoughtful about the cost of running their business. Using these services, SMEs will benefit from

the strong, global FedEx network paired with the company’s reliable services at a competitive price for non-urgent shipments.

“The launch of our international economy services in the Kingdom is part of our continued efforts to provide businesses with a range of shipping solutions that offer more value, while contributing positively to the growth of local industries,” noted Taarek Hinedi, Vice President, FedEx Express Middle East and Africa Operations.

The SME sector is seen as a crucial economic engine of Saudi Arabia and a critical new employment producer in the Kingdom. As SMEs expand their footprint in the Middle East and North Africa region, it is reported that they are specifically searching for other shipping choices, such as economical deferred shipping services in addition to express services, the press statement concluded.

Fugro’s expands its horizon with the UAE’s first uncrewed surface vessel

n Fugro, the world’s leading Geo-data provider recently announced that the 12m Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV), the Fugro Pegasus, has received full navigation licensing from the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure.

This is the first registration of an over-the-horizon USV in the country, making the Fugro Blue Essence USV the first vessel in its class to meet multiple independent maritime authorities’ operational standards.

The Blue Essence vessel, built by Fugro’s partner SEA-KIT International, can be controlled from anywhere in the world, was designed for inspecting subsea assets. The Remote Inspection Solution incorporates the Blue Volta e-ROV, that extends the inspection portfolio up to 400 m water depth.

Blue Essence allows experts to deliver projects from Fugro’s onshore remote operations centres (ROCs) safely out of harm’s way while experiencing a better work-life balance. Its advanced systems, and an array of geophysical sensors, allow subsea inspection asset and site characterisation surveys, enabling the

Fugro Blue Essence vessel to conduct operations safely and efficiently, reducing emissions by 95% versus conventional vessel operations.

“There were no existing regulations for uncrewed vessels, so we formed a working group with UAE authorities and local partners to facilitate the process,”remarked Hannes Swiegers, Director of Remote

Operations, Middle East and India, at Fugro.

“We are proud to have achieved the first-ever registration of an over-thehorizon USV in the country and are confident that the vessel will support the UAE’s efforts to maintain their subsea infrastructure, whilst contributing to environmental protection and maritime safety,” he concluded.

Cartlow introduces a first-of-its-kind catalogue retail experience

n Cartlow, the regional reverse logistics platform, recently launched a new catalogue retail experience providing customers with a seamless and adaptable shopping journey through its app-based digital catalogue.

Customers can explore a diverse range of pre-loved products, including electronics, toys, home, and lifestyle items, and select their preferred items from top brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Huawei.

Unlike traditional online shopping, the new experience allows customers to view the item conditions physically, enabling informed purchasing decisions through a tactile and hands-on approach.

Cartlow’s catalogue retail experience is the first of its kind in the MENA region, providing customers with an innovative solution that helps to extend the lifecycles of products and reduce e-waste. Since inception, the platform has sold over two million products, resulting in a groundbreaking contribution to saving over six million kg of e-waste and 36 million kg of carbon emissions.

Mohammad Sleiman, Founder and CEO, has expressed the company’s commitment to sustainability and continuous innovation in the reverse logistics

industry, through which the company aims to provide better solutions to its partners and customers.

Cartlow’s has had a significant impact on the shopping scene, with products up to 80% cheaper than the retail price. Additionally, the platform holds an international standard certification, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally responsible recycling practices. As the platform continues to grow and expand its offerings, it is expected to become a major player in the global reverse logistics market, which is projected to reach US$ 958bn in 2028, a press statement concluded.

SNC-Lavalin awarded Public Transport Project Management Services contract in Saudi Arabia

n SNC-Lavalin, a fully integrated Canadian global professional services and project management company, has been awarded a project management services contract by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) for the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of its bus network as part of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, it was announced via a press communique.

The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport will offer metro services and a comprehensive bus network. Combined, the project will have a capacity of 1.7 million passengers daily in the initial operation phase.

The Riyadh Metro Project, including six lines and 86 metro stations, is the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh. The Riyadh Bus Project, including 80 routes and 2,860 bus stations served by 842 buses, is fully integrated with the metro network, connecting the districts of Riyadh with the business and commercial centres.

As part of the contract, which is a joint venture (JV) with Germany’s Dorsch Holding, SNC-Lavalin will provide project management and site supervision services for the O&M of the Riyadh bus network, including managing all assets related to the automatic vehicle management (AVM) and automatic fare collection (AFC) systems, and intelligent infrastructure through a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

“The King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project is one of the most ambitious plans set by RCRC to provide integrated transport solutions, reduce carbon footprint, and enhance the quality of life for the people of Riyadh,” stated Mohamed Youssef, Senior Vice President, Projects and O&M, Engineering Services, Middle East and Africa, SNC-Lavalin.

Daniel MacGregor takes new position as Chief Growth Officer for Serco Middle East

n Serco, the international public services company, has promoted their Corporate Development Director Daniel MacGregor to Chief Growth Officer, a new role for the Middle East region, the company revealed in a press statement.

The new Chief Growth Officer role will oversee multiple parts of the Serco business responsible for the development and implementation of the Middle East strategy including all customer discovery, solution and proposition development in addition to programme transitions, marketing and communication and managing Serco’s user centre design agency ExperienceLab.

Effective immediately, the new role will be responsible for driving Serco’s Middle East growth agenda and bringing global capabilities to the region in support of government visions. MacGregor’s objectives will also include driving greater efficiencies and transparencies in Serco Middle East operations and improved ways of working to continue to support, understand and serve Serco’s many varied customers’ needs.

MacGregor originally joined the Serco Middle East business in 2004, as a Market Intelligence Analyst and was since promoted into his new role to the executive leadership position of Corporate Development Director.

“In bringing our business development and growth functions together, and under Daniel’s leadership, we are strengthening our growth commitment and ensuring a more streamlined, integrated approach that will better support our strategic plans to support governments and organisations in the region realise their visions,” remarked Phil Malem, CEO, Serco Middle East.

“Our purpose is to bring National Visions to life and this is a region where governments set the highest bar in that regard. We will continue to solve government challenges and support them with new innovative solutions that place positive outcomes at the centre of our service offerings,” commented MacGregor.

Umer Saleem appointed Regional Head, Middle East for Falcon Autotech

n Umer Saleem has recently joined Falcon Autotech as Regional Head for the Middle Eastern market.

Umer has over 15 years’ experience in the intra-logistics arena including smart automation and warehousing robotics.

“I am delighted to be working for Falcon Autotech. The introductions and induction week has been Grade A, alongside meeting fellow positive and eager colleagues,” enthused Umer on his appointment.

“Whether C-Suite or on ground Resident Maintenance Engineers and installation teams, the working values at Falcon are simply brilliant, with everyone being able to voice their opinions for better working.

With seven new technologies planned to be unveiled in 2023, double decker XL cross belt, RoboPick, NEO ASRS to name a few, Falcon’s future is bright both globally and within the respective geo-regions,” asserted Umer.

“We are excited to have Umer on board as our Regional Head – Middle East for Falcon,” observed Sandeep Bansal, Chief Business Officer (CBO), Falcon Autotech.“With Umer we have an exciting opportunity for us to expand our global reach and provide world-class warehouse automation solutions to our customers in the Middle East. We look forward to building strong relationships with our clients and partners in the Middle Eastern region,” he added.

Falcon Autotech is a global intralogistics automation solutions company. With over 10 years of experience, Falcon has worked

with some of the most innovative brands in E-Commerce, CEP, Fashion, Food, FMCG, Auto, and Pharmaceutical Industries.

Falcon’s strong research and development team and the continuous focus on innovation reflect our strong solution line around Sortation, Robotics, Conveying, Vision Systems, and IoT. Falcon has done over 1,800 installations across 15 countries on four continents, a press communique concluded.

Yango Delivery launches new rapid consumer-toconsumer delivery service in Dubai

n Yango Delivery, a global last-mile delivery platform provider, recently announced the launch of its new rapid consumer-to-consumer (C2C) delivery feature that will allow Dubai residents to send and receive goods within the Emirate within just 60 minutes.

Yango Delivery targets that, with the new offer, riders will arrive within 15 minutes of a customer request being submitted. These riders will accept any item that has a package size of 40x40x40cm and a maximum weight of 15kg, the company confirmed in a press communique.

“Our post-lockdown culture is defined by a greater reliance on to-your-door service,” remarked Agam Garg, General Manager, Yango Delivery UAE. “Now, we take another leap forward in our flexible range of services with this new delivery service, which is designed for the busy consumer, the gift-giver, or individuals

who have a sudden and urgent need to have items delivered rapidly,” he continued.

The new delivery feature allows one pick-up per order, but multiple packages with multiple drop-offs can be fulfilled. While packages are in transit, the Yango app offers real-time, high-precision map tracking of riders to both sender and recipient.

Garg also confirmed that later in the year, the delivery offer will include a photocard feature, which will allow the sender to show the recipient what the parcel looks like, as well as the ability for senders to include digital postcards for recipients.

Yango Delivery’s corporate clients will be able to manage deliveries either via the app, or through the dedicated web account, depending on the number of orders, the press statement concluded.

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Tadweer and OMV sign Memorandum of Understanding

n The Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), and OMV, a leading international, integrated oil and gas company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint opportunities in the areas of sustainable feedstocks for fuels and chemicals production.

The MoU aims to establish a partnership between the two parties to leverage both companies’ expertise and resources to identify and develop sustainable and innovative solutions that support the conversion of waste to an asset.

“Tadweer is committed to finding new and innovative ways to turn waste into valuable resources, and we are pleased to partner with OMV in this endeavor,” stated Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO, Tadweer. “By combining our strengths and expertise, we believe that we can make a significant impact in the sustainability space and contribute to the development of a circular economy in the UAE,” he continued.

The MoU represents a significant step

in the companies’ efforts to advance sustainability and address global environmental challenges. The parties will work together to evaluate the potential for new projects and initiatives that support the development of sustainable feedstocks, including the use of waste as a feedstock to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals.

This collaboration will help to promote the development of a circular economy in the UAE, where waste is seen as a valuable resource rather than a challenge. The MoU reflects the commitment of both companies to advancing sustainability, reducing waste, and contributing to a more sustainable future, a press communique concluded.

e& to acquire a majority stake in Careem Super App

n UAE’s telecommunications giant e& recently announced the signing of a binding agreement with Uber Technologies (Uber) and its subsidiary Careem to acquire a majority stake in Careem’s Super App spinout.

This investment is in line with e&’s strategic ambition of scaling up consumer digital offerings and accelerating its transformation to a global technology and investments group.

Careem’s ride hailing business will remain fully owned by Uber and continue to be available with all other Careem services on the existing app for customers, a press communique stated.

e& is investing US$ 400mn to become a majority shareholder in Careem’s Super App alongside Uber and all three of Careem’s cofounders. The Careem Super App offers over a dozen services including food and grocery delivery, micro-mobility, a digital wallet and suite of fintech services, and additional third-party services.

In recent years e& has transformed into a global technology and investment group. The company is integrating emerging technologies into its expanding business verticals. e& has 163 million subscribers across 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

“The Careem Super App is a digital native that has built a rapidly growing payment, food, and grocery delivery network, and a platform for other digital businesses to scale from,” commented Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, e&.

“All of us at Uber are excited about the impact the Careem platform will have on this region over the next decade and beyond,” stated Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber.

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Emtelle and KEZAD break ground at new regional hub in Abu Dhabi, UAE

n Khalifa Economic Zones Abu DhabiKEZAD Group and Emtelle recently announced the ground-breaking of one of their world’s largest facilities for the manufacture, distribution and R&D of blown fibre units and ducted network solutions in Abu Dhabi.

The ground-breaking represents the beginning of Phase 1 of the three phases of development of this Emtelle facility, which is being jointly overseen by KEZAD under its Build-to-Suit solution. Emtelle plans to invest approximately US$ 50mn over the three phases of the development, it was announced in a press statement.

Emtelle aims to boost the service level to its growing customer base with presence in the Middle East and APAC markets including the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

“The development of this facility under our Build-to-Suit service provides our clients with a customised solution to develop in line with their requirements and budget and according to their

specifications,” asserted Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO Khalifa Economic Zones, Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group.

“This investment demonstrates Emtelle’s commitment to the UAE, and especially to its customers in the Middle East and APAC regions,” commented Tony Rodgers, CEO, Emtelle Group.

Shipsy records around 100% top line growth

n Shipsy, a leading SaaS-based global smart logistics management platform provider, recently announced it clocked around 100% growth in the top line and has established another regional headquarters office in Riyadh to aggressively onboard local talent.

Shipsy’s first regional HQ in the Middle East was established in Dubai in 2021. It also highlighted that in the Middle East, the company is expected to clock a growth rate of more than 125% and that it had witnessed a 70% increase in talent pool in the past 15 months.

Prior to these developments, in March, Shipsy 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 expedite Saudi Vision 2030. The Gulf has been instrumental in the company’s growth trajectory contributing 35% of its overall revenue.

The MoU highlighted that Shipsy

would offer its technology at a significant concession for all customers channeled through Monsha’at. The leading logistics SaaS provider also committed to investing US$ 10 million over five years in the region to drive technology innovation, research and development.

“Continuous growth in customer base across MEA, APAC and SEA, rapid technology innovation and steady increase in human resources have made it possible for Shipsy

“Once operational, the new facility will provide Emtelle with the capability and the capacity to manufacture and distribute a wider range of our innovative fibre-optic solutions to the Middle East, Asia Pacific and globally,” remarked Sanjay Nischal, Managing Director (Middle East & Asia Pacific), Emtelle Group.

to become one of the most capital efficient startups with negligible burn, and nearing profitability,” noted Harsh Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer, Shipsy.

The logistics SaaS provider’s AI and automation powered solutions are enabling businesses across industries to reduce transportation costs, boost customer experience, mitigate logistics risks, shrink carbon footprint and build proactive supply chain processes.

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