ZONES-
Tokai Optical to join SAIF Zone: Japanese eyeglass lens manufacturer Tokai Optical will lease a 400k sqm warehouse in the Sharjah Airport International Freezone (SAIF Zone) for AED 8 mn, after it inked an agreement with SAIF Zone on Sunday, the freezone said on X. The move marks the first phase of the company’s expansion in the Middle East and Africa.
GREEN TRANSPORT-
Saudi Arabian developer Red Sea Global (RSG) has converted its full fleet of land vehicles to operate solely on low-carbon biofuel or electricity, SPA reports, citing a company statement. The company currently operates a fleet of six refrigerated trucks with a payload of 8 tons and three refrigerated trucks with a payload of 3.5 tons. It has plans to expand to up to 800 vehicles by 2030.
More details: The biofuel used by the RSG is produced from locally sourced cooking oil, the statement notes, adding that it only emits 0.17 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per liter in comparison with the 2.7 kg per liter produced by burning regular diesel.
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
Al Seer teams up with Milanion on UGVs: UAE-based maritime solution provider Al Seer Marine has inked an MoU with autonomous technology outfit Milanion to collaborate on land and maritime UGVs manufactured in the UAE, according to a press release released on Thursday. Milanion will design and develop autonomous technology systems and platforms and Al Seer Marine will extend its experience in manufacturing and maintaining maritime equipment. The collaboration looks to bank on growth in the global UGV market, forecasted to stand at USD 4.9 bn by 2029, the statement said.
STORAGE + WAREHOUSING-
Egypt is reportedly looking to construct six silos to boost grain storage capacity by 10% in 2024 at a cost of USD 145.6 mn, Al Arabiya reports, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The project will increase capacity by 420k tons to a total of 4.62 mn tons. The French Development Agency will extend a USD 61.5 mn grant for the silo’s construction, with Egypt financing the remaining USD 84.1 mn. The Egyptian government is looking to boost grain storage capacity to between 6.5 to 7 mn tons within the next three to four years, with increased storage allowing the country to better handle price shocks. The new silos will be located in Kafr El-Sheikh, Dakahlia, Minya, Assiut, and Menoufia governorates, Al Arabiya writes.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- KSA to improve customer satisfaction in transport and logistics: KSA’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics has inked a partnership agreement with the Customer Experience Association to measure and improve customer satisfaction in the transport and logistics sector. (SPA)