Dubai, UAE: Logimotion, a new exhibition for the international logistics and mobility sectors, will host three pivotal conferences featuring industry leaders worldwide. The event will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-11 December and will coincide with Automechanika Dubai.
Logimotion will showcase technologies and solutions within mobility and logistics while fostering industry insights through engaging conference sessions at SCALEX, the Global Trade and Infrastructure Summit and the TransMobility Forum.
The inaugural SCALEX conference is themed “Charting the Course of Global Excellence” and will explore supply chain innovations, including robotics, blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), next-generation
automation, and cybersecurity.
The global symposium offers a deep dive into enhancing efficiency, security, and talent management within the supply chain ecosystem, providing strategic insights and actionable solutions.
The extensive lineup of speakers at SCALEX includes Ahmed Halal, Senior Procurement Office, Prime Minister’s Office; Guillaume Crozier, Senior Vice President Cargo UAE & Head, Global Cargo
Strategy, Dnata; and Michael Stockdale Group Head of Supply Chain and Logistics, Red Sea Global among several other international thought leaders.
The Global Trade and Infrastructure Summit (GTIS) will explore “Fostering Connectivity, Propelling Growth”, where attendees will gain insights into trade agreements, sustainable trade practices and the
transformative role of technology in shaping global infrastructure.
The conference will provide invaluable perspectives on overcoming the challenges faced by emerging markets and navigating geopolitical shifts.
At GTIS, Stefan Schröder, Managing Director, LNC Logistics Network Consultants GmbH in Germany, a respected thought leader in logistics, will moderate a panel discussion on “Innovative urban trade
and logistics solutions: overcoming challenges in congestion, delivery,
and sustainability.”
Commenting ahead of the show, Schröder said: “The logistics industry faces significant challenges, including global and regional crises, rapid market changes, labor shortages and climate protection requirements. The industry is addressing these challenges by adopting 4-D Solutions: Digitalization, Decentralization, Disruption and Decarbonization, with a strong emphasis on resilient supply chains and success factors such as being green, lean and smart.”
Rounding out the event’s conference offering, the Transmobility Forum (TMF) will explore the theme “Navigating the Intersection of Innovation and Mobility” and will address critical topics such as autonomous vehicles, smart city integration, electric vehicle ecosystems and charting
the path for sustainable, efficient and future-ready mobility solutions.
Riyadh, KSA: Saudia Group and the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services have signed a memorandum of understanding, supported by the Ministry of Education, aimed at developing national capabilities and competencies in the field of transport and logistics.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, in the presence of H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics. The signing took place during the Global Logistics Forum 2024 in Riyadh.
The MoU aims to provide 553 scholarships under the “Wa’ed” path, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Scholarship Program. These scholarships focus on specialized academic and professional training within the aviation sector. The fields of study include First Officers, Inflight Chef Diploma, Airframe & Power Plant Diploma, Non-Destructive Testing, Metrology Diploma, and Professional International Assignment to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar emphasized the significance of the MoU, saying: “This agreement strengthens our commitment to developing local talent in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By investing in human capital, we are not only enhancing the aviation sector but also contributing to the localization of critical skills needed for the Kingdom’s sustainable growth.”
This MoU is part of Saudia Group’s ongoing participation in multiple scholarship initiatives, including the “Your Job, Your Mission” program, through which over 470 graduates have been employed as First Officers, more than 210 as engineers and technicians, and 120 graduates in other specialized roles.
Caption:
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, left, with H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistic Services. SAUDIA Photo
Utrecht, Netherlands: Mammoet, the Dutch company specializing in engineered heavy lifting and transporting large objects, has once again proven its expertise by successfully turning Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) into giant forklifts for marshaling in connection with a wind turbine project in France.
Situated 12km from the island of Yeu, and 16km from the island of Noirmoutier, the Îles d’Yeu, the project marks the fifth offshore wind farm to be commissioned in France.
It will be home to 61 offshore wind turbines, with an individual capacity of 8MW. With an estimated annual production capacity of 1,900GWh, it will generate enough electricity for approximately 800,000 people per year.
A client of Mammoet for many years, BOW Terminal approached its engineers to assist with the marshaling, movement and temporary storage of the offshore wind turbines’ transition pieces (TPs), which were being fabricated in Belgium.
TPs are traditionally moved using crawler cranes, or with Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) fitted with a gantry system that requires assembly, and rigging to be connected at a height over 20m.
This project marked the first opportunity for Mammoet to showcase an innovation that makes TP handling safer and more efficient for the offshore wind energy sector.
It transforms SPMT trailers into giant forklifts – resulting in an offshore wind marshaling solution that is faster and more secure.
All 61 transition pieces were being shipped from Antwerp to BOW Terminal Vlissingen, the Netherlands. Each TP weighs 400 tons and measures 30 meters in height and 6 meters in diameter.
Arriving by barge in fours, the TPs were lifted onto the quayside by a 1,200t crawler crane and placed onto temporary concrete supports.
Each TP was then collected on a 2 x 14 axle line configuration of SPMT and moved to a temporary laydown area. There, they were placed on supports waiting to be called off, after which they were simply lifted and driven back from the storage area to a setup location on the quayside.
In the past, the SPMT trailers would be fitted with a gantry system that is constructed and parked over the top of the transition piece so it could be lifted from above.
In this instance, Mammoet utilized a new attachment for the SPMT that essentially turned it into a giant forklift, allowing the units to be picked up more quickly and easily from underneath.
Lars de Haas, Project Manager at Mammoet, explains: “BOW Terminal came to us and asked if we had a system like this available. We explained that there was already a concept in progress, and we just had to develop it. This took around four months, including all fabrication and testing – which was carried out at BOW Terminal.”
The TPH800, as it’s known, has a heavy lift capacity of 800 tons. It has two main cross beams that sit on top of two lines of SPMTs. From the cross beams hang two lower beams, which act like forklift forks.
As the SPMTs approach the TP, the front cross beam lifts like a parking barrier to allow the lower beams to be slotted underneath the transition piece. Once these are in position, the front beam lowers and the TP is firmly locked into place by pinning both cross beams to both lower beams.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: International Cargo Logistics Ltd (ICL), has opened a new office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of its continuing global growth plan.
The Heathrow-headquartered forwarder, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, aims to develop its multimodal offering in the region, capitalizing on Vietnam’s proximity to major shipping routes.
This announcement follows the opening of an office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in February of this year, with a total of 10 ICL offices now established across the globe.
“Our new office will be integral in driving operations in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on supporting our clients in the e-commerce sector,” said Yoav Izhari, Chief Executive Officer, ICL. “Vietnam’s position facilitates easy access to the South China Sea Route, a shipping route that is integral to our operations between Asia and Europe.”
The Vietnam office will allow ICL comprehensive oversight of its operations in the region, strategically situated near the Saigon Port network.
ICL operates in over 180 countries and has over 50,000 meters of logistics and storage facilities after doubling the size of cold storage facility at Heathrow in July of this year.
Hong Kong – B&H Worldwide, the global leader in aerospace and aviation logistics, has extended its agreement with aviation asset specialist AerFin, which buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts to maximize value for owners and provides a lower-cost supply of material to its airline, lessor and MRO customers.
This extension will see B&H Worldwide’s Hong Kong station provide a range of logistics services, including freight forwarding, packing, dangerous goods handling, customs brokerage, storage, and inventory management to support AerFin’s acquisitions of aircraft in the region.
Under this agreement, B&H Worldwide will manage the assets in Hong Kong, enhancing AerFin’s operational reach across the Asia-Pacific region. The services provided by B&H Worldwide will include the coordination of cargo at the teardown facility and on-site packing, the transfer of all stock to B&H Worldwide’s secure facility in Hong Kong, where parts will be meticulously recorded in B&H Worldwide’s proprietary software, FirstTRAC, before being sold, sent for servicing, or retained in storage.
This collaboration builds upon the existing partnership between B&H Worldwide and AerFin following an agreement signed during Aviation Week’s MRO Americas 2023 which covers similar operations in Australia and Singapore strengthening the organization’s regional partnership in APAC.
Stuart Allen, Group CEO of B&H Worldwide, expressed his enthusiasm about the expanded partnership: “We are delighted to continue our successful collaboration with AerFin and to further extend our services into APAC. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of logistics support to ensure that AerFin can optimize its operations in the region. This contract extension is a testament to the strength of our relationship and the trust AerFin places in our ability to deliver tailored aerospace logistics solutions.”
Paul Ashcroft, SVP Asia Pacific, AerFin added: “With our decision to extend our global reach into Asia Pacific, the expansion of the B&H agreement strengthens the work we have already been undertaking within Singapore. Our strategic inventory holdings at B&H Worldwide’s warehouse in Singapore have increased significantly this year with the decision to add more A320, Boeing 737 and A330 family stock within the region. Placing key inventory in Singapore provides confidence in our ability to serve our regional clients better than ever before. Demonstrating our continued growth in Asia, today’s announcement now enables AerFin to provide a similar reliable inventory solution from Hong Kong, the gateway to China.”
Cairo, Egypt: Noatum Maritime, an AD Ports Group company, has acquired a majority stake in Safina B.V., a leading provider of maritime agency and cargo services in Egypt and across the Middle East region. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2024.
The Emirates news agency WAM reported the acquisition by Noatum Maritime marks a significant milestone in its strategic growth as it leverages Safina’s expertise, capacity and reputation in Egypt’s maritime agency market. The move will also help in the company’s ongoing expansion across the Mediterranean, which recently included the launch of its offices in Türkiye.
Along with its growth in the Middle East region, which represents a key market for the company’s global strategy, the move also integrates well into AD Ports Group’s broader presence in Egypt, which was recently marked with the signing of concession agreements for the management and operation of cruise and Ro-Ro terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Sokhna ports.
Safina has evolved as a key player in the Egyptian maritime industry, offering comprehensive agency services and maritime logistics to shippers serving the metals, minerals, and fertilizers sectors.
Safina is situated across six strategic office locations, including its headquarters in Cairo which allows it to provide agency services across 15 Egyptian ports, offering liner and tramp agency services as well as transit services through the Suez Canal. Safina enjoys a sizeable market share in both Mediterranean and Red Sea Egyptian Ports, inclusive of Sokhna, Adabiya, Damietta, Port Said and Alexandria.
Terry Gidlow, Chief Executive Officer, Noatum Maritime, Noatum, Logistics Cluster, AD Ports Group, said, “Welcoming Safina into the Noatum Maritime family aligns perfectly with our vision for growth. The move enhances our presence in key markets and enables us to strengthen our service offering across Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa, providing for greater flexibility and opportunities to meet our customers’ needs. By leveraging Safina’s four decades of experience and local expertise, we aim to further optimize our operations, strengthen customer relationships, and drive sustainable growth.”
Safina will be rebranded as Noatum Maritime Egypt in due course and be integrated into the Noatum Maritime ecosystem. Its founders will retain a minority stake in the business and continue to support the growth of the company.
London Heathrow: B&H Worldwide, a leading provider of aerospace and aviation logistics solutions, has launched FirstTRAC Mobile, the mobile version of its proprietary inventory management platform, FirstTRAC.
The company said FirstTRAC Mobile which offers an enhanced and convenient way to manage inventory
activities directly from a smartphone will be available to all of their existing customers.
FirstTRAC Mobile provides customers with the ability to track their static inventory located in B&H’s global warehouses, monitor orders in process, and follow detailed event-based transport progression.
Additionally, customers can access transport documentation online, ensuring they have comprehensive oversight of their logistics operations.
“FirstTRAC Mobile is a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Paul Wakefield, Group Finance Director at B&H Worldwide. “This mobile application enables real-time access to crucial inventory and shipment information, facilitating more informed decision-making and streamlined logistics processes.”
The key features of FirstTRAC Mobile include:
Dubai, UAE: Aramex (DFM: ARMX) a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, announced its financial results for the second quarter (“Q2”) and first half (“H1”) ending 30 June 2024.
Q2 2024 was expected to be a softer quarter for the company, impacted by seasonality and loss of productive days. The impact was further amplified due to adverse weather conditions in the UAE causing operational disruptions and slowdowns in business and consumer activity for nearly a week.
This year, the Ramadan season was observed entirely in Q1, resulting in Q2 not benefiting from the peak festive demand and increased consumer spending seen in Q2 2023 in several markets.
Additionally, the two public holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) in Q2 2024 with extended vacation days resulted in slower business activity overall, and in fewer operational working days across different countries.
The loss of productive days and the seasonality impact in Q2 2024 is estimated at approximately AED 45 million in lost revenues and AED 8.8 million in lost net income for Q2 2024 for the Group.
Therefore, due to the impact and shift in seasonality between these quarters, it is more relevant to look at the half year performance in 2024 as an indication of this year’s financial situation and progress compared to last year.
Othman Aljeda, Chief Executive Officer of Aramex, said: “We are pleased to report a good performance in the first half of 2024, which underscores our strategic focus on growth. We delivered a healthy revenue growth of 8% YoY and a Net Profit increase of 15% YoY in H1 2024, despite a challenging Q2 2024. We are proud of the dedication and hard work of our Aramexians, spearheading this robust performance. We expanded our customer base and delivered solid volume growth across our product lines, reinforcing our stronghold and leadership position in our key markets.”
Aljeda added, “Both International Express and Domestic Express achieved significant volume growth while maintaining strong service standards. Freight Forwarding navigated a complex operating environment, delivering good growth in volumes for the first half of the year. Our Logistics business successfully onboarded new customers in its warehouses during H1 2024 and replaced legacy accounts.
“We are monitoring the regional developments and Red Sea complexities closely. Despite the recent global macroeconomic headwinds and the regional disruptions, we are robustly positioned to deliver resilient performance in the second half of the year and achieve our year-end targets.
“We remain committed to demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of our strategies to market dynamics and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. We will continue our investments in critical projects, ensuring we are well-prepared to capitalize on growth opportunities. Looking ahead, we are confident in our ability to deliver quality service and enhance operational efficiency to meet the evolving needs of all our customers.”
Financial Performance Commentary
In line with expectations, in the first half (H1) of 2024, Aramex saw strong revenue contribution from all products with revenue growing by 8% year on year (YoY) in H1 2024 driven by new customer wins and an increased focus on sales specialism. The performance was further supported by impressive volume growth of 32% in International Express, 5% in Domestic Express along with strong growth in freight volumes in H1 2024. Revenue performance in Q2 2024 maintained positive momentum, also recording an 8% increase, compared to Q2 2023.
The Company posted an increase of 5% YoY in Gross Profit in H1 2024 to AED 741 million, and a stable Gross Profit of AED345 million in Q2 2024. The Gross Profit margin was healthy at 24% in H1 2024 and at 23% in Q2 2024.
Costs were well managed, with the Group Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (SG&A) growing in line with revenue delivering a stable SG&A-to-revenue ratio of 20% for both H1 2024 and Q2 2024.
Q2 2024 was expected to be a softer quarter for the company, impacted by seasonality. EBIT declined 11% to AED 47 million. Furthermore, Q2 2024 net profit declined to AED 2.9 million, impacted by 1) approximately AED
8.8 million from seasonality and adverse weather effects and 2) negative FX impact of AED 5.1 million coming primarily from the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.
Muscat, Oman: Asyad Group, Oman’s pioneering end-to-end global logistics provider, has acquired Skybridge Freight Solutions (SFS), a leading global freight forwarding company offering services on air, land and sea.
The landmark acquisition is the group’s first international acquisition in core logistics activities and marks a strategic move to significantly expand Asyad’s footprint through active operations in key trade hubs and the major economies of China, India, the USA and the GCC, supported by unhindered access to SFS’ well-established, dynamic network that covers over 90 geographies across six continents.
SFS is a premier freight solutions provider offering leading freight forwarding services across the air, sea and land, apart from managing warehousing and distribution centers. The company boasts a strong financial footing and caters to a diverse array of major industries including food, energy, automotive, pharmaceuticals and construction.
SFS serves over 1,400 customers, including Fortune 500 and blue-chip companies, leveraging its longstanding relationships with global freight forwarding networks, government bodies, shipping lines and airlines to carve a substantial competitive edge and open multiple avenues for growth.
MARSEILLE, France: CEVA Logistics has signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Almajdouie Logistics, one of the leading logistics providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with CEVA taking control of the majority of the newly-established business project once regulatory agencies approved it.
The JV marks a major milestone in both companies’ growth strategies.
Almajdouie Logistics would benefit from CEVA’s strong global network, allowing it to serve its growing portfolio of customers with end-to-end integrated logistics solutions anywhere in the world. At the same time, CEVA Logistics would continue building an established and strong presence in Saudi Arabia to fulfill its regional growth strategy.
Once completed, the JV organization would have around 2,000 employees in KSA and a local fleet of more than 2,000 assets.
The JV targets various industry verticals ranging from the conventional Saudi energy and petrochemicals industry to automotive, e-commerce, consumer and retail. The combination of regional knowledge and global solutions within the JV would allow many local customers to expand their geographic offering and allow global customers to better serve the Saudi Arabian market.
Offering end-to-end global and local logistics services would respond to a thriving Saudi market and support the Saudi Vision 2030.
With most of the cargo used for the Saudi Arabia’s giga projects coming from overseas, seamless logistics is paramount and a key enabler of Vision 2030. The Saudi Ports Authority invested SAR 17bn ($4.5bn) in the Kingdom’s maritime, logistics and port sector in 2023, and signed agreements to create new logistics parks on both coasts of Saudi Arabia – in the East at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and at Jeddah Islamic Port in the West.
Mohammed Almajdouie, CEO of Almajdouie Logistics, said: “By pooling our expertise and resources through this partnership, we aim to strengthen our competitive advantage and offer an integrated and comprehensive suite of logistics services enabling us to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Kingdom’s vibrant and rapidly evolving business landscape. We can accomplish together what we cannot achieve separately.”
Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics, said: “Around the world, CEVA is extending our local knowledge for the benefit of our customers. We have worked successfully with Almajdouie Logistics over the past decade, and with the growing market in Saudi Arabia, this joint venture would strengthen our local presence. By combining our complimentary capabilities, the JV’s customers would have access to bespoke global solutions implemented reliably by local experts.”
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
