AD Ports Group’s Maqta Gateway, Emirates Post Group, the postal operator of the UAE, and SkyGo, an aerial logistics provider, are all set to trial a new initiative that would offer a wide-ranging aerial drone delivery combined with other services in Abu Dhabi.
These three organizations will collaborate on a pilot operation that will use aerial drones to transport packages and documents to the designated Emirates Post offices located around the emirate. The experiment will begin with short-range trips and later transition to long-range testing with a greater capacity to analyse demand and comprehend broader advantages.
Dr Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Digital Cluster and Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group, said “As a leading trusted trade and logistics partner within the region and globally, Maqta Gateway is uniquely positioned to spearhead advanced innovations such as this initiative. We actively seek out projects that can positively disrupt and transform global trade, and this new collaboration offers a vital opportunity to do just that. Drone services could enable greater convenience and faster delivery times for customers across Abu Dhabi, while ensuring a positive environmental impact.”
While SkyGo supplies the drone solutions, Maqta Gateway will use its integrated digital marketplace, Margo Hub, to enable online transactions between clients and Emirates Post Group.
“Margo Hub is a state-of-the-art integrated digital marketplace for all logistics needs, from trucking and warehousing through to the last mile and express delivery, so the expansion into drone services is a seamless extension,” added Dr Noura Al Dhaheri.
The main goal of this partnership is to provide a dependable, user-friendly service that will make it possible to deliver critical medical supplies, fresh meals, and essential papers with real-time tracking.
Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Group CEO of Emirates Post Group, stated “This agreement comes as part of Emirates Post Group’s vision to foster collaborations with pioneering UAE firms that embrace advanced technologies, so that we may provide customers with innovative delivery solutions. Maqta Gateway is an ideal partner for this project, delivering UAE-initiated innovation through an advanced digital platform.”
Details of the trial programme will be released towards the end of 2022, with a full commercial offering planned for launch in the next year, pending approval.