Author: Jochebed Menon

The Arada Foundation launched a Ramadan initiative that will see 4,000 boxes of healthy, fresh produce picked straight from Emirati farms distributed to local families in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). The programme is being managed by Manbat, the farmer’s market based at the Aljada megaproject in Sharjah. The initiative, which will be spread over a 20-day period during Ramadan, began on 18 April. The produce will be selected from farms around the UAE that have been inspected by MOCCAE to ensure full health and safety compliance. Volunteers, including members of Arada’s staff, will…

US-based propulsion systems manufacturer Allison Transmission has launched its new zero emission vehicle (ZEV)-capable electric hybrid system, eGen Flex, as the initial product offering under its new Allison eGen brand. eGen Flex provides bus fleets with full electric engine-off propulsion and accessory power operation capability—ideal for zero-emission zones and depot operation, including when approaching, during, and leaving passenger stops for a quieter and healthier environment. The eGen product family will include Allison’s portfolio of electric hybrid and full electric products, including the company’s portfolio of electric axles. The electric hybrid system includes an innovative new drive unit, inverter and rechargeable…

Al-Futtaim Toyota Material Handling, an Al-Futtaim Automotive company and distributor of Toyota Material Handling equipment in the UAE, has signed a long-term supply and maintenance contract for 32 Toyota electric forklifts to be delivered to first-time customer DHL. DHL has already received 26 light-duty electric forklifts and the remaining units will be delivered before the end of this year. The forklifts ranging from two- to three-tonnes are deployed across DHL’s warehouses located in the UAE. They are equipped with Toyota’s patented System of Active Stability (SAS). SAS works by continually monitoring the forklift’s operations and automatically taking protective action when…

Dubai Customs completed five million transactions in the first quarter of this year, according to latest figures. WAM reports that this is equivalent to double the number of transactions in the same period in pre-pandemic 2019, and 20% more than Q1 2020, in which four million transactions were completed. “We will target new international markets and attract more foreign investments to achieve Dubai vision of raising trade to USD2 trillion in the next five years,” said Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division. “We will actively participate in achieving the objectives of Dubai Strategic plan 2030 through…

A delegation from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently participated in the Ethiopian Transport Investment Summit, which took place in Addis Ababa, and explored prospects to expand cooperation between the UAE and Ethiopia in the logistics and transport sectors. The summit, organised by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport, aimed to promote the sector’s untapped investment opportunities, and create a networking platform for potential foreign and local investors. At the event, Dagmawit Moges, Minister to Ministry of Transport of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, expressed her government’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector to achieve the transport and logistics sector’s…

LogiPoint and United Warehouse Company Ltd. (UWC) have signed a strategic partnership contract under which former will build a dedicated multipurpose built-to-suit facility for UWC in Jeddah. The ‘Built-to-Suit’ facility will be developed in LogiPoint’s Logistics Hub located in the heart of Modon, Jeddah Industrial City 1 and will be a state-of-the-art addition to the industrial city. LogiPoint are an internationally recognised and award-winning logistics and supply chain hub based in Jeddah, who have grown to become the Kingdom’s premier developers and operators of Logistics Parks and Zones, while United Warehouse Company are one of the leading 3PL companies in…

Emirates SkyCargo has become the first airline cargo carrier in the world to have transported more than 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines on its flights. The carrier has also transported more than 100 tonnes of syringes across the world to support the delivery of vaccines. Since the start of international distribution late last year, Emirates SkyCargo has transported over 220 tonnes of COVID-19 vaccines, equivalent to more than 50 million doses, on more than 150 flights from manufacturing locations to 50 destinations on its network through Dubai. Overall, the carrier has transported six different kinds of COVD-19 vaccines. Nabil…

The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, announced an initiative to support international shipping lines stranded at the south end of the Suez Canal on the Red Sea coast, extending the services of Jeddah Islamic Port for ship transfers and container offloading. Contributing to the support of the global logistics sector and maritime trade, measures include an extended period of exemption from storage fees for transhipment containers – from 30 days to 60 days – for a duration of three months. The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to mitigating the impact on global supply chains, in addition to affirming Saudi ports’ readiness…

Heavy transportation and heavy equipment rental company Al Faris Group purchased two latest generation Mercedes-Benz Arocs SLT trucks, a first in the Middle East and North Africa, from Emirates Motor Company. Hillary Pinto, Managing Director of Al Faris Group, said during the handover ceremony: “We have performed numerous heavy transport operations for abnormally sized objects for more than 25 years and it has always been our priority to provide safe, innovative, and reliable solutions for heavy lifting, heavy transport and energy projects. “When it comes to heavy transportation, the Arocs SLT meets the demands and our high standards. The addition…

UAE-founded PureBorn, spearheaded by founder Hannah Curran, has seen a rapid growth and demand for the brand by over 400% in all markets, encouraged by the increased demand by consumers for eco-friendly yet affordable products across many sectors, with one being in childcare. Founded four years ago, PureBorn is gaining an important shelf space in super-markets and retailers throughout not only the Middle East but the expanding range of territories including UK, Latvia, Cyprus, and Ireland, competing with the multi-nationals in the ‘green and natural’ sections. Alongside retail point of sale PureBorn has seen a rapid growth over the last…