Logistics News, October 2022
Page 1
CONNECTING TRADE PROFESSIONALS WITH INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE
OCTOBER 2022
A V I A T I O N
Beyond
excellence
C A R G O
Rooted in
Success
T A L K I N G P O I N T
Hybrid Delivery
Model
LOGISTICS &
TRANSPORT
2022
AWARDS
CELEBRATING INNOVATION IN LOGISTICS
Industry leaders and experts from the logistics,
supply chain and transport sectors celebrate their achievements
at the Logistics & Transport Awards
Page 2
A MEMBERS OF EMIRATES TRANSPORT BUSINESS CENTERS:
Page 3
IN THIS ISSUE
CELEBRATING
INNOVATION
IN LOGISTICS
14
TALKING POINT
HYBRID DELIVERY MODEL
Why a hybrid delivery model is the
key to the last-mile conundrum
16
AVIATION
BEYOND EXCELLENCE
KUWAIT AIRWAYS CEO MAEN
RAZOUQI
Meet the man on a mission to
bolster the future of Kuwait’s
national airline
34
CARGO
ROOTED IN SUCCESS
Following Etihad Cargo’s success
at the recent Logistics & Transport
awards, where the carrier won
awards in Air Cargo Operator of the
Year, Innovation in Transport and
CSR Initiative of the Year categories,
Tim Isik, Vice President Commercial,
shares insights into Etihad Cargo’s
success
38
AUTOMATION
REDEFINING AUTOMATION
In conversation with David Dronfield,
General Manager, Swisslog Middle East
42
HUMAN RESOURCES
ABU DHABI AIRPORTS
Launches new initiative to empower
next generation of aviation professionals
Logistics & Transport
Awards 2022 was aimed at
recognising past triumphs
and acknowledging the future
strategies of logistics and
supply chain companies from
around the region.
22
14
16
LOGISTICS &
TRANSPORT
2022
AWARDS
34
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EDITOR’S NOTE
LNME
T
he Logistics & Transport
Awards 2022 was aimed at
recognising past triumphs and
acknowledging the future strategies
of logistics and supply chain
companies from around the region.
The awards catered to individuals
and companies from a variety of
sectors— from transportation,
cargo, and warehouses, to
e-commerce, supply chain, and
technology. The event saw 18
winners crowned at the event.
Etihad Cargo, Hellmann Worldwide
Logistics, IQ Fulfillment, and
Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI)
won multiple awards at the
evert. The event also recogsined
Dubai Industrial City’s Saud Abu
AlShawareb as Industry Leader of
the Year, Mahdav Kurup, Hellmann
Worldwide Logistics, as CEO of
the Year and awarded the Lifetime
Achievement Award to H.E. Omar
Talal Hariri – President at Saudi
Ports Authority (MAWANI). Check
out the full results of the awards
here.
Kasun Illankoon
Managing Editor
kasun@bncpublishing.net
CELEBRATING THE BEST IN LOGISTICS
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REGIONAL NEWS
LNME
A
l Masaood
Power Division,
part of the Al
Masaood Group,
one of Abu
Dhabi’s leading business
conglomerates, is showcasing
its latest UAE-built smart
electric charging solution,
SHAMS+ (SHAMSPLUS),
at the Environment &
Development Forum (EDF)
2022. SHAMS+, which is the
first such innovative solution
to be fully manufactured in
the UAE, is a full-fledged
solar-powered charging
solution for electric vehicles
(EVs) and hybrid marine
vessels.
The Environment & De-
velopment Forum, which is
a pre-event for the COP27
summit, started today 11th of
September ending on 13th of
September 2022, at the Inter-
Continental City Stars, Cairo,
Egypt, with various national,
regional, and international
affiliates.
During the event, Al
Masaood Power is highlight-
ing the significance of in-
novations such as SHAMS+
as an important solution to
decarbonize the transport
sector in line with its commit-
ment to promote green mo-
bility and help achieve UAE’s
Net Zero emissions strategy
by 2050.
Rasso Bartenschlager, Gen-
eral Manager, Al Masaood
Power Division, said: “Our
participation at the forum
reflects our commitment to
promoting sustainability and
achieving net-zero emissions.
This forum is a perfect global
platform to showcase our in-
novative sustainable solution,
SHAMS+, which marks a new
chapter in our sustainability
journey as it is a solar-pow-
ered solution that will not
only help decarbonize the
transport industry but will
also foster EV adoption in
the industrial, construction,
and marine sectors in the
Gulf region.”
He added: “The forum
holds significance as it is an
important step in preparing
for the upcoming COP27
summit being held in
EGYPT this year and COP28
summit being held in UAE
in 2023. The importance
of such gatherings lies in
bringing together govern-
ments and sectors to exam-
ine the effects of climate
change and to develop a
framework to mitigate its
effects. Such forums provide
a platform to showcase
innovative solutions and
technologies that are para-
mount in countering climate
change.”
SHAMS+ is a multi-user
charging and solar-powered
solution for electric vehicles
(EVs) – including cars, buses,
trucks, and marine vessels
– that can meet all of the mo-
bility sector’s charging needs
while being sustainable and
environmentally friendly. This
cordless, off-grid and high-
power DC solar charging
system is an ideal solution for
marine docks, for the desert,
agricultural fields, interstate
highways and can also be
implemented in the city. With
smart internet-based and
universal charging ventures,
the solution will provide sus-
tainable charging through
solar energy at the highest
charging speed starting from
25 minutes.
Furthermore, the smart
internet-based SHAMS+
charging station consists of
one DC fast charger with a
dual outlet, two battery en-
ergy storage systems, a solar
PV power plant, and electri-
cal distribution and control
systems, all designed with
adequate sustainability stand-
ards in place. Additionally, it
has an automatic matching
voltage fluctuation for stable
charging.
The three-day forum
focuses on establishing
solutions that address chal-
lenges brought on by cli-
mate change and adopting
mitigative strategies across
various industries – including
research and development,
policies and strategies, green
finance, knowledge shar-
ing, skills and human capital
development, creativity, and
technological innovation. It
also includes a world-class
international exhibition of the
most cutting-edge innovative
technologies and equipment.
AL MASAOOD POWER SHOWCASES FIRST UAE-BUILT
SMART ELECTRIC CHARGING SOLUTION AT ENVIRONMENT
& DEVELOPMENT FORUM
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LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 11
REGIONAL NEWS
D
ubai Industrial City, a member of TECOM Group
PJSC, announced its participation in the Global
Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS)
2022, convening in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
from 28th to 30th September 2022. Aiming to
strengthen cross-border trade opportunities between the UAE
and the United States, Dubai Industrial City, alongside other
organisations and government entities, will be joining the UAE
delegation invited by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced
Technology (MoIAT).
As one of the largest manufacturing hubs in the region,
Dubai Industrial City will participate in various discussions and
activities under the umbrella of the UAE delegation to promote
the country’s favourable business climate and manufacturing
opportunities. As part of the agenda, Dubai Industrial City will
be conducting several site tours, aiming to nurture existing and
new relationships with American and international customers.
Dubai Industrial City will also participate in MoIAT’s “Why
Make it in the Emirates?” panel discussion on September
29th, where it will elaborate on the UAE industrial sector and
exports, the role it plays in attracting global and regional com-
panies and the future of R&D.
Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President – Industrial
Leasing, TECOM Group PJSC, and Managing Director of
Dubai Industrial City, said: “The UAE was the United States’
18th largest goods export market in 2019, a sign of the active
trade network and long-standing relationship between the two
countries. We are honoured to strategically partner with MoIAT
and join their delegation to GMIS America as it presents a
valuable opportunity to strengthen the dynamics between such
a prominent trade partner – especially as our nation cements
its position as a globally competitive industrial hub. The UAE’s
non-oil trade recently surpassed the AED1 trillion mark in the
first half of 2022. Operation 300bn, Make it in the Emirates,
and other respective initiatives all contributed to this momen-
tous achievement.”
He added: “As one of the region’s largest industrial hubs,
Dubai Industrial City takes pride in providing a platform where
businesses from around the world can expand and benefit from
a favourable business climate, world-class infrastructure and
unrivalled connectivity. Our community is home to giants like
Al Barakah Dates, Standard Carpets, and Anorka Food Indus-
tries and OSE Industries, all of which are exporting across the
region and to the US, Europe, Africa, and Australia. We look
forward to being part of insightful and fruitful conversations at
GMIS America that will promote on a global scale the UAE’s
manufacturing and exporting landscape, while helping solidify
a diversified and non-oil-based economy.”
GMIS America, which is the 5th edition of the international
industry and manufacturing focused event, will be under the
theme of ‘Advancing Global Industrialization and Net Zero’.
More than 60 international leaders will be welcomed to drive
sustainable manufacturing practices and the clean energy tran-
sition around the world.
DUBAI INDUSTRIAL CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING
AND INDUSTRIALISATION SUMMIT 2022
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REGIONAL NEWS
LNME
T
he Egyptian National Postal
Organization (ENPO) and SAP
have signed an agreement
to establish a RISE with SAP
Private Cloud, in addition to
modernizing software applications and
introducing best global practices of
postal services.
The contract was signed by Dr. Sherif
Farouk, Chairman of ENPO, and Sergio
Maccotta, Senior Vice President and
General Manager, SAP Middle East
South.
Dr. Farouk said: “This protocol is the
culmination of the continuous coopera-
tion and strategic relationship between
Egypt Post and SAP and is part of our
ongoing efforts to implement the best
technology solutions throughout all our
services and transactions using advanced
software solutions and integrated digital
services to facilitate and secure internal
and external transactions”.
Dr. Farouk also highlighted that the
agreement, which is the first of its kind
in the Middle East and Southern Europe
region, aims to establish a local cloud
center and to enhance existing applica-
tions to leverage new features and tech-
nologies such as artificial intelligence
and machine learning. The solution can
integrate seamlessly with existing non-
SAP and financial applications.
The agreement will also provide a ho-
listic view of ENPO performance and key
indicators, and enable ENPO to study,
analyze and develop current business
cycles in a practical way, and to inform
agile decision-making. In addition, some
steps in standard processes can be auto-
mated to reduce human error and inter-
action, which in turn improves efficiency
and reduces cost of ownership.
Ehab Abu Bakr, Vice Chairman, Digital
Transformation at ENPO, said: “This
agreement represents a big technologi-
cal leap for us, as it aims to transform
the current work processes on the ad-
vanced global technological RISE with
SAP platform as an integrated solution
on a private cloud. In addition to ben-
efiting from the licenses of SAP Signavio,
which provide comprehensive solutions,
from designing, documenting, streamlin-
ing and modeling processes, to improv-
ing overall efficiencies and increasing
performance on a wider scale”.
Mohammed Samy, Managing Direc-
tor for SAP Egypt, said of the contract,
“ENPO is one of our most strategic part-
ners in Egypt, and we are in a continu-
ous dialogue with their top management
about the new trends in postal services,
and ways to develop ENPO’s capabilities
to always stay ahead of the game. This
new agreement is an example of how
SAP is supporting ENPO to reinvent its
processes and services, promote innova-
tion, and deliver new services.”
EGYPT POST SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH SAP TO ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM
FOR CLOUD SOLUTIONS
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LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 13
REGIONAL NEWS
L
yve Global, an
Abu Dhabi based
B2B logistics SaaS
platform enabling
businesses to digitize
their customer journey
from order to payment to
delivery – announces it has
acquired a majority stake
in Shopini World, a leading
cross-border e-commerce
logistics and solutions
provider to businesses and
consumers across MENA, with
operational presence in the
UAE, USA, UK, Turkey, and
China.
Lyve’s acquisition of a ma-
jority stake in Shopini World
reflects its ongoing commit-
ment to strengthen its offer-
ing as the company plans to
invest US$150 million in high
quality acquisitions within the
next two years to broaden its
global portfolio and expand
market reach.
This acquisition brings to-
gether significant operational
synergies with Shopini’s e-
commerce solutions and inter-
national network, and Lyve’s
technology and logistics in-
frastructure in the region. The
combination of Shopini’s first-
and middle-mile services with
Lyve’s solutions completes the
entire logistics cycle – driving
efficiencies, and greatly en-
hancing execution capabilities
and customer reach for Lyve’s
e-commerce clients.
Lyve continues to evolve,
building a rich digitized
ecosystem of complete, end-
to-end solutions through all
touchpoints – from order
acquisition, to order manage-
ment, payment, and delivery.
With its market-leading cloud-
based platforms and services,
the company currently helps
facilitate millions of orders
every month on behalf of key
global and regional brands
across the e-commerce, food
and beverage, grocery, and
healthcare industries.
Through its investment
strategy and next phase of
growth, focusing on inorganic
opportunities that comple-
ment the development of
Lyve’s regional digitized eco-
system, the company will con-
tinue to grow and maximize
value for each of its portfolio
companies, providing tailored
support for every investment
and working closely to align
synergies to leverage its rich
network.
Chief Investment Officer at
Lyve, Nader Museitif, com-
mented on the strategic
investment: “We’re excited
to have Shopini World join
the Lyve ecosystem. We’re
determined to continue
building and expanding our
offering in a way that meets
our customers growth and
digital transformation needs.
Our investment strategy is
designed to complement
and accelerate our organic
efforts and we are looking
forward to announcing more
partnerships in the near fu-
ture.”
Chief Executive Officer of
Shopini World, Rami Murad,
said: “We are super excited
to be recognized by a great
organization like Lyve Global,
for the top-notch parcel
cross-borders technolo-
gies we have built and for
the innovative solutions we
provide to local and interna-
tional e-commerce merchants
based in USA, UK, Turkey,
China, and the UAE. Our
partnership with Lyve Global
will definitely help us grow
faster by enabling and com-
plementing our cross-borders
solutions into the ME and
internationally as well.”
As the accelerated growth
of digitization continues to
disrupt the e-commerce land-
scape in the region, industry
players are developing their
overall strategies to establish
a strong omnichannel pres-
ence and solutions to offer
a seamless customer experi-
ence. Lyve’s evolving port-
folio of digital technologies
enables these companies to
succeed in this ever-changing
landscape.
LYVE GLOBAL CONTINUES TO DRIVE INVESTMENT
STRATEGY BY ACQUIRING MAJORITY STAKE IN SHOPINI
WORLD
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WWW.CBNME.COM
T
he digital economy has all
but exterminated patience.
Every customer, whether
B2B or B2C, has a schedule.
And however unrealistic,
they expect their suppliers
to respect it. As an increasing propor-
tion of commercial transactions take
place online, last-mile delivery has
become more and more important. But
it is also the costliest link in the supply
chain. Compared with rail, sea, and air
journeys, last-mile routes are not pre-
defined and must be resolved ad hoc,
exacerbated by the uncertainty of the
exact location of the final destination.
According to a 2020 report from the
World Economic Forum (WEF), last-
mile makes up 53% of shipping costs
and 41% of total supply-chain costs.
Businesses beset by demanding cus-
tomers must decide — will the delivery
function be completely inhouse (where
the company, with no support, buys
and maintains all vehicles and fulfills
all orders but consequently has full
control) or completely outsourced
(where the business relinquishes all
control over deliveries to a third-party
partner) or alternatively should the
company lease vehicles and then man-
age as an in-house fleet.
Fortunately, there is a fourth hybrid
delivery option — a best of all worlds,
if you will, and one that is already be-
ing used by innovative companies like
fashion and lifestyle e-store 6thStreet.
This approach is of great use to a new
business for example, which can con-
centrate on product-related issues and
leave logistics and courier management
to a dedicated third-party provider like
an Aramex or a FedEx. Then, when
the company grows, it can focus more
on costs and customer experience by
gradually building its own fleet through
ownership or rental. Once firms reach
this stage, they can leave standard
drop-off and pick-up functions to
TALKING POINT
LNME
Why a hybrid delivery model is the key to the last-mile
conundrum
HYBRID DELIVERY MODEL
BY VLADIMIR NESTEROV, GENERAL MANAGER – UAE, ROUTEQ
Page 15
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 15
outsource partners and fulfil more
complex visits — with services such as
cash-on-delivery or ones that require
that extra special customer service (for
example where customers get to try
on clothes) — with inhouse fleets and
employees.
Handling volume
Hybrid models are also an effective
way of addressing demand spikes.
Smaller businesses will not yet be able
to respond to the increased transac-
tion volumes associated with holidays
and special events. When Eid Al Fitr
arrives, for example, a start-up or SME
can pre-plan any escalation with a
partner to scale up its pool of driv-
ers and vehicles. It is worth noting
that even if a nascent business has the
budget to rapidly acquire vans and
couriers, it takes time, not to mention
cost, to train staff. And during Rama-
dan, the need for drivers to take more
frequent and longer breaks can also be
addressed by outsourcing.
The other side of this peak-handling
approach is the trough. Some busi-
nesses sell vital products like medicines
and commonly get orders that must be
delivered during non-business hours,
where third-party LMD companies
may not available. Hence the need to
maintain an inhouse fleet.
The hybrid model is also a safe and
reliable way to test the waters in a
new market. By outsourcing the entire
delivery function, enterprises can gauge
profitability and, if viable, move in
with their own fulfilment centers, fleets,
and people.
Going green
One final argument for the hybrid
model is the sustainability issue. In the
wake of COVID, we saw the elevation
of ESG (environment, social, govern-
ance). It is no longer public pantomime
nor boardroom theatrics. It is here
and it is staying. Carbon footprints
are as much a concern for stakehold-
ers as customer experience, and hybrid
models are widely touted as a solution.
By either leasing vehicles, or outsourc-
ing deliveries, enterprises are reducing
the number of vehicles they put on the
road. Also, by using the right route-
planning software, all delivery firms
can reduce the miles travelled and the
time spent on the road by optimizing
roundtrips.
In its report, mentioned earlier,
the WEF makes reference to rising
customer demand for online commerce
and estimates that if no action is taken,
the number of delivery vehicles in the
world’s 100 largest cities will increase
by 36% by 2030, directly leading to
a 32% surge in emissions and a 21%
increase in congestion — representing
11 minutes more in daily commute
time per passenger.
Getting hybrid models “right”
Hybrid models are the answer to the
great trade-off between CX (including
sustainability) and business costs. But
getting the mix right does not occur
naturally and requires some careful
thought.
First, businesses should consider
how drivers are paid. Per-delivery
compensation, where several deliveries
are made in a single large vehicle may
work in bigger cities such as Dubai
or New York. But deliveries made to
outlying areas may be few in number
for each trip, so hourly rates and mile-
age coverage would be preferable to
the courier. In short, driver preferences
must be aligned with the economics of
the business and the geography of its
operating market.
Also, in a digital economy, digital
solutions are the natural answer to
complex optimization problems.
Route-planning is now highly ad-
vanced, being able to deduce optimal
roundtrips based on traffic congestion
for the enhancement of delivery speed
and accuracy. But digital platforms
also play a critical role in managing
hybrid fleets effectively. It is almost
impossible to imagine such a task in
manual mode, but with machine-learn-
ing and advanced analytics to hand, all
fulfilment managers need do is input
the parameters, such as cost of driver,
cost for fact of usage, time on stop,
COD orders versus prepaid, and a
range of others. The software does the
rest, not only advising on routes but
on which vehicles (leased or owned)
to load and dispatch first, along with
a list of orders that are best fulfilled by
partners.
Digital transformation may be the
rage, but all rages have the potential to
enhance or encumber. Businesses that
want to use the best possible means
of marrying CX to cost optimiza-
tion would be well served to consider
hybrid delivery for their last-mile
function.
HYBRID DELIVERY MODEL
“HYBRID MODELS ARE AN
EFFECTIVE WAY OF ADDRESSING
DEMAND SPIKES. SMALLER
BUSINESSES WILL NOT YET
BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE
INCREASED TRANSACTION
VOLUMES ASSOCIATED WITH
HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.”
Page 16
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KUWAIT AIRWAYS CEO MAEN RAZOUQI
BEYOND
EXCELENCE
by ABY SAM THOMAS
Meet the man on a mission to bolster the future
of Kuwait’s national airline
→ MAEN RAZOUQI is a global
leadership executive who is
currently the Chief Executive
Officer of Kuwait Airways. Prior
to his current role at the
state-owned national airline of
Kuwait, he was the President
and General Manager for the
northern Middle East
operations of Schlumberger,
the world's largest offshore
drilling company.
IMAGES COURTESY KUWAIT AIRWAYS
AVIATION
LNME
Page 17
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 17
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D
o you remember, Aby, who was
the second person to walk on the
moon?” When Kuwait Airways CEO
Maen Razouqi posed this question
to me when I interviewed him in
August this year, I must admit that
in that moment, I found myself
stumped for an answer. A Google
search later reminded me that the
person who followed in American
astronaut Neil Armstrong’s historic
first steps on the moon was his
colleague on the space mission,
Buzz Aldrin, but the fact that I
couldn’t recall his name off the
top of my head allowed Razouqi
to make his point. You see, at the
time, Razouqi was telling me about
Beyond Excellence (BE), the transformation
program that he had initiated at Kuwait Airways
earlier this year, and I had quizzed him on
the reasoning behind the name he chose for
the digitally focused initiative. “I come from a
personal belief that you have to be number one,
and being number two, to me, means you’re
the first in the biggest line of losers,” he says.
“So, coming second is not something anybody
remembers. Do you remember, Aby, who was the
second person to step on the moon?” And as I
shook my head in response, Razouqi reiterated
his reasons for wanting Kuwait Airways -the
state-owned national carrier of Kuwait- to
aspire to be at the top of its industry. “Within
our capabilities and abilities, excellence is not
satisfactory,” he declares. “I want us to achieve
beyond excellence, because beyond excellence,
there is no limit to how far you can go.”
→ AS THE FLAG CARRIER OF KUWAIT,
Kuwait Airways aims to be associated
with success and excellent
performance.
T
he BE program is one of the most
significant initiatives that Razouqi has
kickstarted at Kuwait Airways since
his announcement as its CEO in October
2021. The initiative, which was launched
as part of the 68th anniversary of the
enterprise, has been built on the directions
on the strategy and goals set by the
shareholders and board of directors of
Kuwait Airways. Currently, the airline has
34 aircrafts under its purview that operate
57 direct routes, plus 82 in partnership
with other airlines, with a workforce of
around 6,000 employees. In 2021, Kuwait
Airways was declared to be “an official
five-star major airline” by the Airline
Passenger Experience Association (APEX),
whose rating program is the first of its
kind in the global aviation industry that’s
based solely on certified passenger
feedback. From an operations perspective,
Razouqi points out that the aviation sector
is still trying to return to the high it saw in
2019, its best-performing year before the
world was hit by the COVID-19 crisis, and
that’s the case for Kuwait Airways as well.
“The Middle East specifically will most
likely not get to that stage before 2024,”
he says. “It’s not a recognition of the lack
of capabilities, but, obviously, the readi-
ness of the infrastructure and resources
that are required to go back to that stage.”
As an example, Razouqi highlights here
the 110% year-over-year (YoY) rise seen in
the price of jet fuel lately, which can
hamper the recovery being pursued by the
aviation industry- however, he notes that
there are factors working in its favor as
well.
“The good news is that the expected
passenger growth will continue to be posi-
tive, at a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of around 4% YoY,” Razouqi
explains. “The expectation is that the
number of total travelers around the world
should reach double of what it was in
2019, which is around eight billion global-
ly. So, the industry will grow. It’s the right
industry to invest in, as the number of
passengers will continue to grow globally.”
And it’s this projected scenario that Razou-
qi believes Kuwait Airways can capitalize
on as it moves into the future. You see, the
growth in the number of global passengers
is expected to be driven by people from
the Asia-Pacific, especially from China and
India, and Kuwait Airways, by virtue of its
location in this region, stands to gain a lot
if it can become the carrier of choice for
AVIATION
LNME
Page 19
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 19
↑ ESTABLISHED IN 1954, KUWAIT AIRWAYS celebrated its
68th anniversary this year, and the occasion saw the airline
launch its Beyond Excellence transformation program, which
is focused on enhancing its efficiency and sustaining
growth, while also maximizing returns.
the populations of these nations. At the same time, the
government of Kuwait has been trying to privatize the
carrier for a long while now, and while those attempts
haven’t panned out in the past, Razouqi is determined
to make it happen in his time as the CEO of the enter-
prise. “I have come into this role to achieve three main
objectives in three years,” Razouqi says. “The first
objective is basically around transformation and
restructuring the organization, both internally and
externally. The second, and most important, is to
potentially accelerate its profitability in the aviation
industry. And last but not the least, considering the
privatization law that was passed prior to the onset
of the COVID-19 crisis, the third is to decide how
to implement it, in the right time, with the right
value, for our shareholders.”
A
major restructuring process is thus underway at
Kuwait Airways, with its target being both the
workforce (the aim is to reduce the overall
management structure cost by 20%, Razouqi
reveals), as well as its assets, with the Kuwait Airways
fleet set to average 50 planes by 2025 that will cover
60 point-to-point destinations, and 150 overall
through partnerships. Meanwhile, the enterprise’s
transformation is also ongoing- Razouqi’s steward-
ship of the BE program has seen the airline engage
more strongly with both its clientele and its employ-
ees to deliver on its overarching goals. Growth,
performance, customer experience, and sustainability
form the building blocks of the BE program, and
Razouqi and his team’s efforts in these domains do
seem to be bearing fruit. For instance, Razouqi points
out that the second quarter of 2022 has seen the
airline’s revenue growth increase by 9% compared to
its performance in the first, and there’s also been a
profit improvement of 42% with respect to the first
half of the year. Passenger numbers have been steadily
increasing (a 17% rise from the year’s first quarter),
and a host of new destinations -from Salalah and
Sharm El Sheikh, to Malaga and Vienna and more-
have been added to the Kuwait Airways portfolio as
well. Razouqi is also determined to give his customers
the best possible experience when they choose >>>
“BEYOND
EXCELLENCE,
THERE IS NO LIMIT
TO HOW FAR
YOU CAN GO.”
Page 20
20 | LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022
WWW.CBNME.COM
Kuwait Airways for their journeys-
and this goes all the way from them
simply thinking about booking a
flight, to them picking up their lug-
gage at their final destinations. That
would explain, for instance, Kuwait
Airways’ new home check-in offer-
ing that it provides to its premium
class customers, or its creation of a
new “platinum” tier in its loyalty
program. Meanwhile, the airline’s
use of the Airbus A320neo family of
aircraft -which are known to achieve
fuel savings of up to 20%- has been
contributing to its environmental,
social, and governance (ESG) goals
as well.
A
t the end of the day, all of
these efforts are meant to serve
a singular goal that Razouqi
has outlined for Kuwait Airways,
and it’s one that encompasses all of
the enterprise’s different components,
from aviation to catering, and
engineering to training, and more.
“Our target is to be the most ef-
ficient airline,” he declares. “And
to be the most efficient airline, you
don’t need to have 200 planes- all
you need are two planes to bench-
mark your efficiency and perfor-
mance. And we want to be the most
efficient airline in the world.” Now,
this can perhaps be considered to
be a lofty goal for Kuwait Airways,
but then again, consider the drive
and dedication being exhibited by
the person driving the enterprise
to achieve it- I can personally state
that Razouqi’s bullish and buoyant
demeanor is hard to dismiss. Plus,
he has come to lead Kuwait Airways
with a wealth of experience from
an illustrious career that has seen
him work in various operational
and managerial roles in the Mid-
dle East, Africa, Europe, and North
America- in fact, his last role was as
the President and General Manager
for the northern Middle East region
at Schlumberger, the world’s largest
offshore drilling company. Add to
that the fact that Razouqi, as a Ku-
waiti national, considers his current
role as a part of his national duty,
and that adds a whole another level
of drive to what he has set out to
accomplish.
“It was an exciting challenge,” Ra-
zouqi says, as he explains his reasons
for taking up his current job. “It’s a
very challenging position to be in.
And that’s the drive. If we were the
number one airline in the world, I
may not be in this position, or even
attracted to be in this role. But the
fact that I want us to go down that
route is what drove me to be here
today.” Razouqi’s ambitions are
clearly sky-high, and that bodes well
for Kuwait Airways’ future as well-
here’s hoping it takes off.
↓ BESIDES HIS ROLE AT KUWAIT AIRWAYS,
Maen Razouqi is a co-founder and Executive
Director at Afkar Ventures, a MENA-focused
energytech investment enterprise.
“To be the most efficient airline, you don’t need
to have 200 planes- all you need are two planes
to benchmark your efficiency and performance.”
AVIATION
LNME
Page 21
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22 | LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022
WWW.CBNME.COM
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
CELEBRATING INNOVATION IN LOGISTICS
Logistics & Transport Awards 2022 was aimed at recognising past triumphs and
acknowledging the future strategies of logistics and supply chain companies
from around the region. The awards catered to individuals and companies from a
variety of sectors— from transportation, cargo, and warehouses, to e-commerce,
supply chain, and technology. The event saw 18 winners crowned at the event.
Etihad Cargo, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, IQ Fulfillment, and Saudi Ports Authority
(MAWANI) won multiple awards at the evert. The event also recogsined Dubai
Industrial City’s Saud Abu AlShawareb as Industry Leader of the Year and awarded
the Lifetime Achievement Award to H.E. Omar Talal Hariri – President at Saudi Ports
Authority (MAWANI). Check out the full results of the awards here.
LOGISTICS &
TRANSPORT
2022
AWARDS
CATEGORY PARTNERS
Page 23
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 23
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
Page 24
24 | LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022
WWW.CBNME.COM
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
AL MAJDOUIE LOGISTICS
3PL COMPANY OF THE YEAR
ETIHAD CARGO
AIR CARGO OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
Page 25
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 25
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
MADHAV KURUP, HELLMANN WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS
CEO OF THE YEAR
HELLMANN WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS
COLD CHAIN SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Page 26
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WWW.CBNME.COM
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
FOREVER HOME, ETIHAD CARGO
CSR NITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
FERO.AI
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Page 27
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 27
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
TRUKKIN
EXPRESS LOGISTICS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
GLOBAL SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS
FMCG LOGISTICS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Page 28
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LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
SAUD ABU ALSHAWAREB
INDUSTRY LEADER OF THE YEAR
IQ FULFILLMENT
INNOVATION IN LOGISTIC
Page 29
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 29
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
ETIHAD CARGO
INNOVATION IN TRANSPORT AWARD
LOGIPOINT
LEADERS IN LOGISTICS REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS
Page 30
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LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
H.E. OMAR TALAL HARIRI – PRESIDENT, SAUDI PORTS AUTHORITY (MAWANI)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
IQ FULFILLMENT
LOGISTICS START UP OF THE YEAR
The award was
accepted by Yousef
Mohammed Alhosan,
Vice President for
Policies
Page 31
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 31
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
ALS LOGISTIC SOLUTIONS GROUP
MOST INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR LOGISTICS
SWISSLOG
WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER
Page 32
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WWW.CBNME.COM
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
AAA FREIGHT SERVICES
WAREHOUSE FACILITY OF THE YEAR
ABEER ALGHAMDI, SAUDI PORTS AUTHORITY
WOMEN PROFESSIONAL IN LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT
Page 33
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 33
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT AWARDS
Page 34
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WWW.CBNME.COM
S
ince its establishment in 2004, Etihad Cargo has
achieved significant growth. The cargo and logis-
tics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, the national
airline of the UAE, has taken advantage of the
strategic location of its Abu Dhabi hub to build a
network that provides vital links from the capital to Africa,
America, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. To
achieve its ambition of becoming the air cargo partner of
choice for customers around the world, Etihad Cargo has
invested in its eight-strong premium product range, digi-
talisation and sustainability initiatives to ensure the carrier
remains at the cutting edge of the sector and delivers on its
service promises in full.
Tim Isik, Etihad Cargo’s Vice President Commercial, said,
“The air cargo industry is dynamic, and customer require-
ments are continuously evolving. Etihad Cargo aims to be
the easiest air cargo carrier to do business with and every-
thing we do places our customers at the forefront. We are
committed to building relationships that raise standards
and future-proof operations against any challenges we
may face in the future.”
The success of Etihad Cargo’s customer-centric ap-
proach has been proven by the carrier’s performance
over the last two years. Despite the challenging market
conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,
Etihad Cargo achieved a record year in 2021. The carrier
ROOTED IN SUCCESS
FOLLOWING ETIHAD CARGO’S SUCCESS AT THE RECENT LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT
AWARDS, WHERE THE CARRIER WON AWARDS IN AIR CARGO OPERATOR OF THE
YEAR, INNOVATION IN TRANSPORT AND CSR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR CATEGORIES,
TIM ISIK, VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL, SHARES INSIGHTS INTO ETIHAD
CARGO’S SUCCESS
LNME
CARGO
Page 35
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 35
has built on this success in
2022, going from strength
to strength and posting a 6
per cent increase in revenue
in the first half of the year.
Carrying 295,000 tonnes of
freight, the carrier achieved
the best mid-year revenue
results in Etihad Cargo’s
history.
Isik said, “Etihad Cargo’s
mid-year results under-
line our commitment to
working closely with our
partners and customers,
remaining agile in our re-
sponse to market challenges
and delivering on our ser-
vice promises. In addition
to posting revenue growth,
we maintained a strong
Delivered as Promised rate
of 86 per cent and an 83
per cent freighter On Time
Performance rate, which
means our customers can be
confident in Etihad Cargo’s
capabilities in delivering
their cargo on time and in
perfect condition.”
Demonstrating the car-
rier’s commitment to qual-
ity, Etihad Cargo achieved
Cargo iQ recertification
in 2022. The carrier also
holds IATA’s CEIV Pharma,
Fresh and Live Animals
certifications, proving
Etihad Cargo’s adherence to
strict international quality
controls. Delivering world-
class solutions aligned with
industry best practices
has enabled the carrier to
achieve growth across sev-
eral of its premium prod-
ucts, including 46 per cent
growth for Etihad Cargo’s
award-winning, dedicated
pharmaceutical shipment
product, PharmaLife.
Another key factor in
Etihad Cargo’s growth has
been its continued invest-
ment in its innovation and
digitalisation journey. Since
launching its digital strategy
in 2018, the carrier has
established a state-of-the-
art Cargo Control Centre
in its Abu Dhabi hub,
enabling its dedicated team
to monitor the status of and
track all shipments, flights
and road feeder services in
real-time. More recently,
Etihad Cargo launched an
enhanced booking portal
that supports English,
Arabic and Mandarin
languages. Following the
roll-out of new updates, in-
cluding an enhanced look-
to-book feature, a dynamic
newsfeed and personalised
dashboards, bookings made
via the portal have surged,
increasing by 57 per cent.
“Etihad Cargo is con-
tinuously investing in
digitalisation,” said Isik.
“We have been trialling AI
solutions to boost cargo
capacity on flights through
the measurement of cargo
dimensions and optimisa-
tion of capacity planning.
The automated load plans
are created in seconds, and
these digital solutions will
become practical tools we
utilise across our network
in the future, which will
benefit our customers and
also ground handlers.”
Sustainability is also high
on the carrier’s agenda. In
alignment with Etihad Avia-
tion Group’s sustainability
plans, Etihad Cargo has
pledged to achieve net-zero
carbon emissions by 2050.
In addition to the ongoing
development of a dedicated
cargo sustainability plan,
ROOTED IN SUCCESS
>>>
“ETIHAD CARGO AIMS TO BE THE EASIEST AIR CARGO
CARRIER TO DO BUSINESS WITH AND EVERYTHING
WE DO PLACES OUR CUSTOMERS AT THE FOREFRONT.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
THAT RAISE STANDARDS AND FUTURE-PROOF
OPERATIONS AGAINST ANY CHALLENGES WE MAY
FACE IN THE FUTURE.”
>>>
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Etihad Cargo has taken strides to offer more sustainable so-
lutions to its customers. The carrier replaced 3,000 contain-
ers from its original aluminium unit load device (ULD) fleet
with a more environmentally friendly, lightweight version.
The utilisation of these lighter ULDs can provide a weight
saving of over 200 kilogrammes on an average wide-bodied
freighter flight, which has lowered fuel consumption and
CO2 solutions.
More recently, Etihad Cargo entered into a memoran-
dum of understanding (MOU) with B Medical Systems to
develop and launch the world’s first airline-specific passive
temperature-controlled container. The containers, which
utilise passive cooling technology, retain temperatures from
-80 to 25 degrees Celsius for up to five days without requir-
ing an external power source and offer load capabilities
ranging from two to 1,500 litres. Through the reduction in
power needed to maintain the temperature for temperature-
sensitive pharmaceutical shipments, these units will signifi-
cantly reduce carbon emissions. Trials of the sustainable
container units will commence shortly, and a commercial
launch date will be announced following the successful
completion of the trials.
Being more environmentally conscious also extends to the
carrier’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. Etihad
Cargo launched its award-winning Forever Home pro-
gramme in 2022 to support not-for-profit live animal at-risk
transportation. Forever Home has significantly expanded
Etihad Cargo’s existing animal welfare and conservation
policy, which commits to identifying and implementing ac-
tions to help prevent the illegal wildlife trade and encourage
responsible, sustainable tourism.
The positive impact of this policy was demonstrated in the
transportation of four rescued servals. In collaboration with
three organisations — Born Free Foundation, Natuurhulp-
centrum and Panthera Africa — Etihad Cargo provided
free flights for the servals, which were kept illegally as pets
in Belgium before they were rescued. Etihad Cargo trans-
ported the servals from Belgium to their new forever home
at the Born Free Rescue Section of Panthera Africa Big Cat
Sanctuary in South Africa.
Isik is confident Etihad Cargo will continue to build on
its successes. He said, “While market challenges continue
to impact air cargo operations, the future looks bright for
Etihad Cargo. We will soon be launching a new state-of-
the-art cool chain facility at Abu Dhabi Airport, which
will further expand our cool chain storage capacity and
handling capabilities. We will also continue to add capacity
across our network and modernise our fleet so that we can
remain the air cargo partner of choice.”
CARGO
LNME
“WHILE MARKET
CHALLENGES CONTINUE
TO IMPACT AIR CARGO
OPERATIONS, THE FUTURE
LOOKS BRIGHT FOR ETIHAD
CARGO. WE WILL SOON
BE LAUNCHING A NEW
STATE-OF-THE-ART COOL
CHAIN FACILITY AT ABU
DHABI AIRPORT, WHICH
WILL FURTHER EXPAND
OUR COOL CHAIN STORAGE
CAPACITY AND HANDLING
CAPABILITIES.”
Page 37
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38 | LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022
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AUTOMATION
LNME
Building the brand in the Middle East
In my current role as the General
Manager of Swisslog Middle East, I am
responsible for growing the regional
customer base of the company and to
create awareness about the need for
professionally integrated warehouse
automation systems, while also
supporting businesses with the provision
of custom solutions that gives them a
competitive advantage.
Redefining automation in logistics
Technology is continuing to be a
truly disruptive force in how the
modern supply chain is shaped,
defined, and explored. From basic
improvements like streamlining
operations and increasing process
efficiency to fully automating pickup
stations, technology is enabling
much smarter, simpler supply chain
management.
Swisslog’s warehouse management
system orchestrates the interaction of
individual robotics and warehouse
technologies and provides for effective
monitoring of ongoing processes. By
smartly integrating intelligence in
the operations and synchronising the
performance of both automated and
manual warehouse equipment, companies
can expect greater improvement in
workflow efficiency and productivity.
We are committed to supporting Middle
Eastern retail and e-commerce/e-grocery
companies in their efforts to achieve
fast product delivery, high accuracy and
reduce operational costs. The flexible
and modular technologies and software
in Swisslog’s Retail & E-Commerce
portfolio are specifically designed to meet
the dynamic needs of retail, e-commerce
REDEFINING AUTOMATION
In conversation with David Dronfield, General Manager,
Swisslog Middle East
Page 39
LOGISTICS NEWS ME | OCTOBER 2022 | 39
REDEFINING AUTOMATION
and multichannel logistics. Retailers can increase
the speed of order fulfilment, improve order
accuracy and effectively manage an ever-increasing
number of SKUs with Swisslog’s automated systems
for e-commerce. Order fulfilment rates can be up to
five times faster than manual systems.
Swisslog’s automation solutions for retail range
from the latest goods-to-person technologies such
as CarryPick to dynamic storage and retrieval
systems such as the CycloneCarrier and AutoStore
solutions, integrated with advanced robotics as well
as its next-generation picking technology for retail
and e-commerce such as ItemPiQ.
In the future, companies will leverage new and
innovative technologies to create a self-orchestrated
supply chain and previously unimaginable
efficiencies. By embracing the era of digitalisation
and focusing on the ability to continually optimise,
companies will be able to stay ahead of their
competition.
AutoStore
As one of the world’s leading AutoStore
integrators, Swisslog is living up to its reputation.
As customer demand is quickly growing, so too
is the need for flexible, robotic solutions. The
global explosion in the growth of e-commerce in
both the business-to-consumer and business-to-
business segments has led to increased demand for
more scalable, modular solutions to meet rapidly
changing customer demands.
As one of the most flexible and space efficient
goods-to-person solutions available today,
AutoStore, a cube-based system, has revolutionized
e-commerce fulfillment and small item order
picking. The scalable system can be deployed
relatively quickly in almost any warehouse
environment, providing dramatic improvements
in space utilization and productivity compared to
traditional shelf-based storage.
“As one of the world’s
leading AutoStore integrators,
Swisslog is living up to its
reputation. As customer
demand is quickly growing,
so too is the need for
flexible, robotic solutions.”
David Dronfield,
General Manager,
Swisslog Middle East
>>>
Page 40
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AUTOMATION
LNME
AutoStore is a unique and simple
solution that uses robots and bins to
quickly process small parts orders. It
provides better use of available space
than any other automated system thanks
to its unique design that enables direct
stacking of bins on top of each other and
storage of multiple SKUs in a single bin.
AutoStore can be optimally designed in
and around structures such as columns,
floor height differences or other spatial
peculiarities. Wide tunnels or narrow
bridges are also possible.
Current Projects
Raha just went live. We are working on
some other key projects in the e-grocery
segment in the region. We are also
working on expansions of existing sites
or other sites from existing customers.
Looking Ahead
80 percent of global warehouses did not
have any automation in 2016, but as
a result of Covid-19, many businesses
adjusted their marketplace strategy
and are now considering warehouse
automation as their number one priority
to drive operational efficiency and
improve business processes. The Middle
East is gearing up to take advantage of
digitization in a big way, and we are
seeing companies in the region making
credible investments for real results
today.
With the increased interest in
warehouse automation, Swisslog will be
focusing highly on –
> Growing the company’s regional
customer base
> We are aiming to achieve this growth by
professionally consulting with customers
who are new to automation. We want
to bring standard automated pallet and
light goods storage & handling systems
closer to the businesses
> We also want to create awareness about
the need for professionally integrated
warehouse automation systems and
advising clearly on robotic automation
solutions such as item picking ItemPiQ
and ACPaQ mixed case palletizing in
everyday warehouse operations
Challenges faced in the logistics
industry
Today a lot of businesses suffer from
many challenges. Rising costs, changing
consumer habits, increased operating
expenses add greater pressure on
businesses. Though many businesses
understand that, not many invest in
changes. Reports show that a lot of
companies are still afraid of using the
latest technologies in their business
operations as they assume, they are
too expensive. We are working on that
front to change their perception as we
help them implement the solutions
delivering a fast return on investment
and a longer useful life due to their
ability to adapt to change. The time is
ripe for automation in the Middle East.
Multinational companies in particular
will now further improve their supply
chain management and establish robust
disaster management mechanisms and
our aim is to help them adapt and be
future ready.
Identifying the right opportunity
Automation is central to several GCC
countries’ future development plans as
the region’s logistics market is set to
grow at a rate of 4.3% CAGR to a value
of US$ 3.03 billion by 2028. While we
see UAE leading the race for technology
adoption, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is
also making a lot of progress and we
are receiving a lot of enquiries from
businesses in the region on how they
can integrate automation technology
in their existing infrastructure in a
very convenient and efficient manner
- without disruption to their current
business processes, to remain viable
and profitable, and ultimately create the
future. We have also several projects in
Kuwait and see higher demand here.
Page 41
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HUMAN RESOURCES
LNME
A
bu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the emir-
ate’s five airports, announced today the launch
of “ASAAS”, a new programme that aims to
attract, recruit and train Emirati university
graduates who are interested in joining the
aviation sector. The programme will seek to
empower them with knowledge and experi-
ence in airport operations and management.
As part of this programme, the successful university gradu-
ates will receive on-the-job training over a six-month period
that is fully sponsored by Abu Dhabi Airports in collabora-
tion with leading educational institutions. The training has
been designed to cover a wide range of industry-relevant
subjects, like airport operations (land and airside), aircraft
flight and ground operations, health and safety, security
management and general business management studies.
H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, Managing Director
& Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said:
“Investing in the aviation sector is at the heart of our man-
date at Abu Dhabi Airports. The ‘ASAAS’ programme is a
testament of our commitment to paving the way for a new
generation of Emirati aviation leaders who, with knowledge
and experience, would be able to sustain growth and devel-
opment of this vital sector in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
“With an intensive on-the-job training in collaboration
with top-class universities in Abu Dhabi, the next generation
of aviation leaders will be well-equipped to shape the future
of airports.” he added.
Hanan Ibrahim Al Abed, Chief Human Resources Officer
at Abu Dhabi Airports, commented: “We are pleased to
sponsor a specialised academic programme in collaboration
with top universities in the emirate to empower the selected
candidates with knowledge that they need to excel in their
new career adventure at Abu Dhabi Airports.”
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Page 43
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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.
DRIVE THE NEW WAY