DP World has recently announced the first commercial use of its revolutionary BOXBAY high-bay storage system at its terminal in Pusan, South Korea. A contract was signed on 8th March between Pusan Newport Corporation (PNC) and Boxbay FZCO – a joint venture of DP World and German plant technology supplier, SMS group, initiating the design and engineering works for the site. The signing took place in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, and was signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Burkhard Dahmen, Chairman and CEO of SMS group, the partners behind BOXBAY. Also Read – OOCL reports 40% increase in 2022 profit at $10bn PNC already operates one of the highest-performing container terminals in Asia. The addition of BOXBAY’s technology will allow PNC to boost its efficiency even further. The BOXBAY high-bay storage technology will be seamlessly integrated along with the existing mode of ARMG/truck operations as a retrofit on an existing empty storage area. The system allows direct access to each container at any time, eliminating 350,000 unproductive moves per year. This will improve the overall truck servicing time by 20 percent, further improving PNC service delivery to its customers. Also Read – Maersk unveils design of green fuel powered vessel BOXBAY is fully automated with additional safety features built in. DP World also intends to power it by using solar power, generated by photovoltaic panels on the roof of the storage system, complementing DP World’s drive to decarbonize operations. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “If we were to imagine the future of trade, this is where it begins. We have taken a technology that has proven its effectiveness in the metals industry in Germany and further transformed it to create BOXBAY, an innovative container storage system to enhance global trade. Our pilot scheme in Jebel Ali has already shown the advantages of a fully automated, sustainably powered high-bay storage system. I’m proud that DP World has led this innovation that will now be adopted in Pusan. The technology reflects our continuous efforts to embrace technologies that enhance the flow of trade and further enhance Dubai’s position as a global leader in the ports and logistics industry.” Also Read – Maersk divests Maersk Supply Service for $685mn Tiemen Meester, COO of Ports & Terminals, DP World, said: “We have long invested in new and innovative technology that will improve and modernize our ports and terminals. It’s a tremendous step forward to announce our first commercial use of BOXBAY. The PNC terminal is an exemplary operation that is already technologically advanced and forward-focused. With the introduction of the BOXBAY high-bay storage system, we will be able to better serve our customers while keeping our people safe and cutting carbon emissions from the environment.” Also Read – U.S. West Coast imports decline sharply in Feb Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, DP World Asia Pacific & Australasia, said: “We are delighted to see this technology implemented first at one of our terminals. Safety, sustainability, and efficiency are huge drivers for our business. We look forward to working with the PNC and BOXBAY teams to implement this system without any interruption to our current services.” DP World developed BOXBAY in a joint venture with German plant technology supplier SMS group, who originally created the storage system to handle heavy metal coils. Having proven the technology in the metals industry, it was refined for port logistics. DP World and SMS built a pilot facility at Jebel Ali’s Terminal-4 in January 2021. By the end of June 2022, 190,000 container movements had been carried out under realistic operating conditions to verify the market maturity of the system. DP World has a 66% stake in PNC, which handled 5.3 million TEUs in 2021. PNC operates in Pusan port, which is the tenth largest in the world.

https://www.logupdateafrica.com/shipping/dp-worlds-pusan-terminal-is-the-worlds-first-to-implement-boxbay-high-bay-storage-system-1348089

AD Ports Group, a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, and SEG ENERA Group, one of the largest multisectoral holding companies in Uzbekistan, have recently announced the formation of a new joint venture, ADL-Ulanish, that will provide end-to-end global logistics services across the Republic of Uzbekistan. Through the new joint venture enterprise, AD Ports Group will bring its cutting-edge expertise in global supply chain logistics and advanced technology to the new company with the goal of addressing some of the logistics challenges faced by enterprises in Uzbekistan, which is a double-landlocked nation, surrounded by five additional landlocked nations. Also Read – DHL Supply Chain, Aramco form JV for procurement and logistics hub SEG ENERA Group will, in turn, contribute its regional expertise, best practices, and industrial assets, including warehousing capacity, alongside rail and trucking fleets. Through the joint venture, the two entities will serve not only SEG ENERA’s business needs but also those of other clients within the nation’s market representing a spectrum of industry sectors including, industrial project logistics, oil & gas, e-commerce, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. Also Read – Speedbumps galore slowdown Nigeria’s logistics journey ADL-Ulanish will offer a variety of advanced services, including freight forwarding, air, and land logistics; warehousing and storage; customs clearance services; and, the development of inland container depots and dry ports. In addition, the company will provide a range of digital solutions to boost service integration and efficiency, as well as bring expertise in food security and supply chains to support the creation of a food hub in Uzbekistan. Also Read – DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking Strategically located at the crossroads between the Asian and European markets, Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region is a vital global land logistics hub, whose regional GDP according to the World Bank is forecasted to grow from 3.9% in 2023 to 4.3% in 2024. Farook Al Zeer, Chairman, of Logistics Cluster, AD Ports Group, said: “The launch of ADL-Ulanish provides us with a platform to extend our extensive portfolio of logistics services and expertise to the key market of Uzbekistan, which is located within a region that is primed for future growth. There is significant demand for freight forwarding and warehousing services in Uzbekistan, which has seen a major economic expansion in recent years, driven by important reforms and modernization efforts. By leveraging our global expertise, we are positioned to make a transformational impact across key industries, facilitated by advanced digital services and supported by a world-class team.” Also Read – Political will not there to improve drivers’ working conditions: IRU Timofey Smirnov, Chief Executive Officer, of SEG ENERA Group said: “We are proud to enter this important partnership with AD Ports Group, whose logistics capabilities and expertise have served a number of strategic industry sectors in the MENA region, and which thanks to its recent growth, is now reaching out to support partners in nations around the world. Uzbekistan is a major producer of key exports, including oil, natural gas, gold, copper, cotton, food, and other strategic commodities and products needed by the global economy. Further development of our logistics sector will create an exciting range of economic opportunities to support our nation’s growing role as a hub for trade between East Asia and Europe.” In June 2022, the UAE and Uzbekistan signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support cooperation in 27 sectors, involving initiatives in government modernization to benefit from the UAE’s experience and promote the relations between the two nations.

https://www.logupdateafrica.com/logistics/ad-ports-group-enters-uzbekistan-logistics-market-via-jv-with-seg-enera-group-1348054

DP World and the Government of Somaliland have launched the new Berbera Economic Zone (BEZ), which, along with the Port of Berbera, is converting the area into a significant trading hub in the Horn of Africa. At a special event attended by several hundred guests, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, President of Somaliland, and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP Global, formally launched the first phase of the BEZ. Representatives from DP World’s port and zone investment partner, British International Investment (BII), as well as the UK’s Development Financing Institution (DFI) and impact investor, were present. Also Read – DHL Supply Chain, Aramco form JV for procurement and logistics hub The launch followed the June 2021 inauguration of the brand-new container terminal at Berbera Port. DP World’s ambition for Berbera is to transform it into a commerce hub, capitalizing on its strategic location along one of the world’s busiest maritime routes and access to the region’s large hinterland, including Ethiopia. The BEZ is located just 15 km from the port along the Berbera to Wajaale road (Berbera Corridor) that connects to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, which needs multiple sea gateways to meet its trade requirements. Also Read – Speedbumps galore slowdown Nigeria’s logistics journey This integrated maritime, logistics and industrial hub will serve the Horn of Africa, a dynamic region with a population of more than 140 million people. It is based on the highly successful model of DP World’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai. There will also be synergies between the two zones, where companies in Dubai can register for Berbera through the Jafza one-stop shop, while companies in Berbera can access Jafza’s incubation centre facilities. Also Read – DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking The zone is designed to create a business-friendly environment to attract investment and create jobs for Somaliland. It includes a competitive and conducive environment, enabled by a new Special Economic Zone Law, Special Economic Zone Companies Law, fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, along with a one-stop shop for all registration and licensing requirements, modern offices, warehousing and serviced land plots. Also Read – Political will not there to improve drivers’ working conditions: IRU Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World said, “The dynamics of global trade are changing, and there is a growing need for trade infrastructure, such as economic zones, with easy and fast access to international shipping. These will bring companies closer to their customers, improve their logistics and allow them to expand into new markets. The integration of Berbera port with the new Economic Zone is a great example of this, making Berbera a world-class trading ecosystem, now and for the future.” Muse Bihi Abdi, President, Somaliland said, “This is another proud and historic moment for Somaliland and its people. After the inauguration of the container terminal at Berbera Port, and now with the economic zone open for business, we are taking a major leap forward in realising our vision to establish Berbera as an integrated, regional trade gateway, which will be a key driver of economic growth, achieved through increased trade flows, foreign investment and job creation.” DP World has already signed an agreement with IFFCO, a major UAE-based food company, to develop a 300,000 square feet edible oil packing plant in the BEZ and a dozen more companies operating across various sectors have already registered. Liz Lloyd, Chief Impact Officer, British International Investment added, “We are very proud to be part of this important milestone to inaugurate the Berbera Economic Zone, which will provide a vital economic boost to Somaliland and support growth in the broader Horn of Africa region. The overall expansion of the port is expected to improve the quality of life and livelihoods for over a million Somalilanders, increasing the availability and affordability of goods and indirectly supporting over 53,000 jobs locally.” The Master Plan for the BEZ covers more than 1,200 hectares and will be expanded over time as demand grows. With phase one now open, it offers serviced land plots for the construction of company facilities, 10,000 square metres of pre-built warehouses, build-to-suit facilities, open yard storage, a common user warehouse which DP World will operate to handle customers’ cargo, as well as office space with end-to-end IT services. The Berbera Port is a multipurpose port with world-class infrastructure, including extensive bulk and breakbulk handling facilities, liquid cargo handling capability and a state-of-the-art container terminal. It has a deep draft of 17 metres, a quay of 400 metres and three ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes, which can receive the largest container vessels in operation today. It also has the capacity to handle 500,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) a year. The terminal also includes a modern container yard with eight rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and a one-stop service centre. The Berbera Port is a cornerstone of the economy. As a result of the expansion, it is expected to facilitate trade equivalent to approximately 27% of Somaliland’s GDP and 75% of regional trade by 2035. The BEZ will make trade easier for businesses in Somaliland and also the wider Horn of Africa. This will benefit a variety of sectors including exporters, importers and processors of livestock, agricultural and perishable goods, textiles and construction materials.

https://www.logupdateafrica.com/logistics/dhl-supply-chain-amarco-form-jv-for-procurement-and-logistics-hub-1348215?infinitescroll=1

Kuehne+Nagel announced the appointment of Alexandre Muratore as Managing Director of the newly established West Africa cluster comprising Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Benin, Mauritania and Guinea Bissau. “He will be operating out of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Together with the local teams, Alexandre will develop new business opportunities and grow Kuehne+Nagel’s presence in West Africa, supporting the company’s strategy to expand its footprint on the continent,” says an official release. This step also reflects the company’s newly announced Roadmap 2026, the release added. “Within the framework of its cornerstone Market Potential, Kuehne+Nagel will focus on expanding its geographic footprint in growth regions. In his most recent role, Muratore was the Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Qatar. “I look forward to relocating to Africa and leading the West African team as Managing Director. Our primary goal is to expand our presence in this key market by strengthening and developing local partnerships with our suppliers and customers,” says Muratore. Also Read – Kuehne+Nagel 2022 turnover up 20% Bradley Francis, until now Regional Business Development Manager, Healthcare, Middle East and Africa, replaces Muratore as Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Qatar. Francis joined the company in 2007 and held the National Air Logistics Manager position in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. “I am delighted to join this team that has a firm focus on customer needs and service excellence. I look forward to building on the many successes that have been realised by Alexandre and his team and believe that our West Africa Cluster will benefit tremendously from his experience and commitment,” says Francis. Lee I’Ons, President, Kuehne+Nagel, Middle East and Africa adds: “Kuehne+Nagel is strengthening its leadership team to support the company’s continued growth and success in the Middle East and Africa region. Alexandre Muratore’s appointment as Managing Director of the West Africa cluster will drive new business opportunities, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the region. For Qatar, logistics is regarded as a critical component of its 2030 vision, which aims to create a diverse and sustainable economy. Bradley Francis, as the new Managing Director of Qatar, will continue to build on the strong base Alexandre has created, taking advantage of its strategic location and proximity to major Asian and European markets, supported by a solid infrastructure and a business-friendly environment.”

https://www.logupdateafrica.com/logistics/dhl-supply-chain-amarco-form-jv-for-procurement-and-logistics-hub-1348215?infinitescroll=1