In The Spotlight
Agility, a global supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation company, has signed an MoU with the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to explore opportunities for inter-modal storage, transportation, and processing facilities in Sudair City for Industry and Businesses, as well as near King Khalid International Airport.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, the Kingdom is heavily investing in modernising and expanding its logistics and transportation infrastructure to position itself as a global hub for logistics and trade.
Supporting various sectors
Agility has been active in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years, with its Agility Logistics Parks (ALP) business developing and operating advanced logistics and warehousing facilities in Riyadh and Dammam. A third logistics park is currently under construction in Jeddah. The Riyadh Logistics Park features "green" buildings, the first EDGE Advanced-certified warehouses in the GCC.
Agility also supports Saudi Arabia's energy, aviation, and e-commerce sectors, with its venture arm investing in local startups in e-commerce and digital freight matching for the trucking industry.
In 2023, Agility signed an MoU with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to strengthen the healthcare sector by expanding digital health services and localising the medical technology supply chain.
Additionally, Agility is a significant shareholder in DSV, a global logistics provider and a key partner in the NEOM mega-city project, aimed at transforming the Kingdom’s northwest region into a futuristic smart city.
“Saudi Arabia is rapidly moving toward achieving its goal to be one of the world’s most important centres of trade, transportation and logistics,” said Agility vice chairman Tarek Sultan. “Agility has been a long-time supporter, partner and investor in the Saudi logistics sector. We have decades of experience here, and we’ve built some of the Kingdom’s most advanced logistics infrastructure. We see a future where Saudi and the region lead the world's supply chain sector. We thank SAR for giving us the opportunity to be part of this future and the opportunity to contribute to Saudi's growth and success story”
DNV has released its 'Energy Transition Outlook', which notes that 2024 will go down as the year of peak energy emissions
Energy-related emissions are at the cusp of a prolonged period of decline for the first time since the industrial revolution. Emissions are set to almost halve by 2050, but this is a long way short of requirements of the Paris Agreement. The Outlook forecasts the planet will warm by 2.2 °C by end of the century.
The peaking of emissions is largely due to plunging costs of solar and batteries which are accelerating the exit of coal from the energy mix and stunting the growth of oil. Annual solar installations increased 80% last year as it beat coal on cost in many regions. Cheaper batteries, which dropped 14% in cost last year, are also making the 24-hour delivery of solar power and electric vehicles more affordable. The uptake of oil was limited as electrical vehicles sales grew by 50%. In China, where both of these trends were especially pronounced, peak gasoline is now in the past.
China is dominating much of the global action on decarbonisation at present, particularly in the production and export of clean technology. It accounted for 58% of global solar installations and 63% of new electrical vehicle purchases last year. And whilst it remains the world’s largest consumer of coal and emitter of CO2, its dependence on fossil fuels is set to fall rapidly as it continues to install solar and wind. China is the dominating exporter of green technologies although international tariffs are making their goods more expensive in some territories.
“Solar PV and batteries are driving the energy transition, growing even faster than we previously forecasted,” said Remi Eriksen, group president and CEO of DNV. “Emissions peaking is a milestone for humanity. But we must now focus on how quickly emissions decline and use the available tools to accelerate the energy transition. Worryingly, our forecasted decline is very far from the trajectory required to meet the Paris Agreement targets. In particular, the hard-to-electrify sectors need a renewed policy push.”
Striking shifts in energy mix
The success of solar and batteries is not replicated in the hard-to-abate sectors, where essential technologies are scaling slowly. DNV has revised the long-term forecast for hydrogen and its derivatives down by 20% (from 5% to 4% of final energy demand in 2050) since last year. And although DNV has revised up its carbon capture and storage forecast, only 2% of global emissions will be captured by CCS in 2040 and 6% in 2050. A global carbon price would accelerate the uptake of these technologies.
Wind remains an important driver of the energy transition, contributing to 28% of electricity generation by 2050. In the same timeframe, offshore wind will experience 12% annual growth rate although the current headwinds impacting the industry are weighing on growth.
Despite these challenges, the peaking of emissions is a sign that the energy transition is progressing. The energy mix is moving from a roughly 80/20 mix in favour of fossil fuels today, to one which is split equally between fossil and non-fossil fuels by 2050. In the same timeframe, electricity use will double, which is also at the driver of energy demand only increasing 10%.
“There is a growing mismatch between short term geopolitical and economic priorities versus the need to accelerate the energy transition. There is a compelling green dividend on offer which should give policymakers the courage to not only double down on renewable technologies, but to tackle the expensive and difficult hard-to-electrify sectors with firm resolve,” added Eriksen
The Outlook also examines the impact of artificial intelligence on the energy transition. AI will have a profound impact on many aspects of the energy system, particularly for the transmission and distribution of power. And although data points are currently sparse, DNV does not forecast that the energy footprint of AI will alter the overall direction of the transition. It will account for 2% of electricity demand by 2050.
*CO2 emissions from the combustion of coal, oil and gas
Leading motor, drive, and gearbox manufacturer WEG is set to play a key role in one of the largest water transmission projects in the Middle East.
WEG will provide a complete package of motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and transformers to support the new water infrastructure, which will deliver water between two of the region’s biggest cities.
The large-scale water transmission system presents significant challenges, with extreme temperatures and environmental conditions. The customer required a holistic solution that includes transformers, water-cooled VFDs, and motors with power ratings up to 9.1 MW to power the pumps within the system.
The MVW01 VFDs with water cooling, a specific requirement for this project, are equipped with an electric panel featuring a new thermal dissipation design that allows for greater power output. The VFDs also include a user-friendly 10-inch touchscreen HMI, simplifying programming and monitoring of key operational parameters. By controlling the process speed efficiently, the VFDs reduce energy consumption, operation and maintenance costs, and the overall total cost of ownership (TCO).
The phase-shifting transformers in the package offer complete isolation, reducing common-mode voltage stress on the motor and lowering harmonics on the power supply. Oil-type transformers were selected to meet the project’s outdoor installation needs. Designed with a step-lap-type magnetic core, the transformers optimise noise levels and keep exciting current low, while their rugged construction can handle short circuit stresses. In addition, the external coatings protect the transformers against harsh environmental conditions.
WEG also provided water-cooled W60 MV motors, which are built to deliver excellent performance under aggressive operating conditions, including extreme ambient temperatures. These motors are designed for industrial applications such as compressors, pumps, and fans. They are both efficient and modular, allowing for different cooling configurations.
“Water transmission systems are a crucial part of critical infrastructure and require specialised equipment that is both robust and reliable to ensure that they run effectively and safely. This can be a particular challenge in harsh outdoor environments,” said Alla Aldrras, HVS development sales manager for HVS Motors & Drives. “We’ve drawn on our experience of developing solutions for the water industry globally to offer a holistic package to meet the customer’s needs, and thanks to our facilities in Brazil, we are able to deliver this well within the project schedule.”
A new Danfoss Impact paper argues that “competitive decarbonisation” is central to achieving market competitiveness, empowering industries to both lower their environmental impact and sharpen their competitive advantage.
“The paper tackles already existing products and solutions which can be applied immediately across MENA industry to limit energy waste, promote electrification and boost competitiveness, especially in energy-intensive industries”, highlighted Ziad Al Bawaliz, regional president at Danfoss Türkiye, Middle East and Africa.
Electric motors drive key industrial technologies like fans, pumps, compressors, and conveyor belts, and they represent more than two-thirds of industrial electricity use. In the EU, optimising motor efficiency could lead to annual savings of US$10bn-US$11.3bn in electricity costs and prevent 12.5-14.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to the annual footprint of nearly two million Europeans.
Energy efficiency
In the EU, only about one-third of the energy mix is currently electrified. However, expanding electrification in industries is crucial to easing pressure on an already maxed-out energy grid. The paper advocates for an Electrification Action Plan with explicit targets for demand-side electrification to ensure a sustainable energy future.
Kim Fausing, president and CEO, Danfoss, said, “I remain a stubborn optimist when it comes to Europe’s future, but we need to reestablish the growth mindset of the past. Mario Draghi’s report on EU competitiveness has crucially identified many areas in which Europe can improve including our elevating energy bills as a case for a massive overhaul of how Europe does business. Lowering energy consumption, cutting emissions and driving down the energy bills through energy efficient and cost-competitive electrification solutions could very well be European industry’s greatest growth opportunity.”
“Our Danfoss Impact paper takes this a step further by outlining a clear guide for immediately taking action to harvest the lowest hanging fruits in industry to limit energy waste, promote greater rates of electrification and boost competitiveness, especially in energy-intensive industries. Rather than dismissing decarbonisation in the pursuit for greater productivity, our research shows that decarbonising industries is critical for making them more resilient and increasing economic competitiveness,” added Fausing.
The Danfoss Impact paper reveals that by adopting energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures, manufacturing industries could save significantly on energy bills while increasing the gross value added. The cost-efficient measures can both prepare the industry for deep electrification, and free up vital funds needed for investments in R&D and innovation – two key areas where Europe is falling behind.
TAQA has launched its next-generation M4 Inflow Control System. This system allows operators to optimise reservoir performance while sustainably managing fluid production.
The M4 Inflow Control System regulates the flow of unwanted fluids like water and gas, preventing the binary (open/close) effect that can lead to instability or halting production. The system excels in controlling water in ultra-light and light applications and enhances gas production control, offering stability and flexibility across various reservoir conditions.
One of the system’s standout features is its advanced pilot control system, which is highly sensitive to density, making it suitable for a wide range of oil types, including ultra-light, light, medium, and heavy oils. Additionally, its multi-phase control capabilities allow the device to perform efficiently, regardless of its orientation in the wellbore.
Flexibility at sites
TAQA’s M4 Inflow Control System offers seamless ‘plug and play’ integration with its entire portfolio of inflow systems, optimising performance across all well and reservoir types. The design incorporates features such as last-minute capacity adjustments and the ability to circulate to the bottom, ensuring ease of installation and flexibility, even at the rig site.
The system is engineered to maintain an open operating point for oil while being highly restricted for water, based on precise force field analysis confirmed through single and multi-phase flow testing. It has undergone rigorous testing in state-of-the-art multi-phase loops, evaluating the flow behaviour of water, oil, and gas mixtures under various conditions.
Although the system is not limited by oil viscosity, it has performed exceptionally well with oil viscosities as low as 0.5cP, tested alongside water to establish the optimal operating and control points at different water cuts. A comprehensive qualification matrix, including debris, erosion, and cycle testing, has also been completed.
Current market technologies often struggle to control water effectively when oil viscosities drop below 1cP, and there is a risk of turning into a “binary” open-close system, shutting off zones prematurely. TAQA’s new device overcomes both of these issues, ensuring reliable and efficient operation across a range of challenging conditions.
Dr Mojtaba Moradi, subsurface engineering manager of TAQA, said, “With the largest portfolio of inflow control systems more than 20 years of inflow control devices expertise, the M4 Inflow Control System represents the pinnacle of our innovation so far. This new generation offers water control by gradually reducing inflow as water production increases, avoiding premature well shut in.
Its main benefit is precision control based on reservoir production. The device allows operators to maximise output without risking shutting wells in, so they can manage production continuously and efficiently, which translates into obvious financial benefits.”
Niftylift is at the forefront in the mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) sector, offering some of the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered equipment, as well as hybrid and fully electric models.
Recently, it introduced the world’s first hydrogen-electric-powered access platforms – the HR15 H2E and HR17 H2E – marking a breakthrough in zero-emission construction in the Middle East.
"When powered by renewable energy, Niftylift’s fully electric platforms provide a dependable zero-emission solution for a wide range of urban jobsites. However, we recognise that not all projects, especially those in remote locations, have access to grid power for charging. This is where the hydrogen fuel cell comes into play. By adding it on top of the electric system, we offer a versatile and practical solution that’s viable for virtually any jobsite," explains Thomas Hadden, global technical sales manager at Niftylift.
The HR15 H2E and HR17 H2E can run for up to five days on batteries alone, with the hydrogen system doubling this range. Even with daily use, the hydrogen cylinder only needs replacing every two to three weeks. These boom lifts integrate hydrogen technology seamlessly, maintaining Niftylift's renowned low weight and compact design while emitting only water vapour and heat as by-products. This makes them ideal for both urban and remote sites, aligning with the region’s sustainability goals.
Johnson Arabia became the first rental company in the region to acquire a Niftylift HR15 H2E, impressed by its performance during a demonstration. The company also added 19 fully electric units to its fleet. The HR15 H2E is now operational on a high-profile UAE construction site, delivering zero emissions without downtime for refuelling or recharging.
Growth in the Middle East
Niftylift sees strong potential in the Middle East, driven by the focus on sustainability and safety in construction. “We’ve seen an ever-increasing growth for Niftylift products in the region even given the fierce market competition,” says Thomas. “This surge in demand is largely due to the heightened awareness of safety standards in the region and we are internationally renowned at Niftylift for our advanced safety features, such as SiOPS (sustained involuntary operation prevention system), load-sensing, and tilt-sensing technologies.”
To support growing demand, Niftylift is establishing a regional office in Dubai, serving as a hub for direct sales and support for key account rental companies. This will strengthen its partnerships in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and expand its customer base in Saudi Arabia, a key growth market.
Niftylift also maintains close relationships with customers through regular face-to-face meetings and participation in industry events, including sponsorship of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) Middle East Conference 2024 in Riyadh.
“The Middle East’s transition to a sustainable future hinges on innovative technologies, such as hydrogen-electric equipment,” Thomas concludes. “As a leader in this field, we at Niftylift are committed to empowering the region’s construction industry to achieve ambitious decarbonisation goals.
Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a key mining concession agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM).
The agreement grants MDO the rights to explore and develop strategic minerals within concession area 51F, located in the Al Wusta Governorate, covering 2,156 sq km in the Wilayat of Mahout. This area contains valuable deposits of silica, limestone, and dolomite, all of which are critical for industrial growth and economic diversification in Oman.
Silica, which is in high demand due to its essential role in industries such as glass manufacturing, renewable energy technologies (including solar panels), and energy storage, is a key focus of this agreement. In 2021, the glass industry became the largest consumer of silica sand in the region, and this demand is expected to grow. According to a report by Syndicated Analytics, the GCC silica sand market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7% from 2022 to 2027, potentially reaching US$513.5mn by 2027.
The new concession positions MDO to become Oman’s first silica sand miner. Silica sand, valued for its high purity (above 97% naturally in this site), strength, and non-reactive properties, is critical for industries such as glass, solar technology, and chemicals. The agreement underscores MDO's and MEM’s confidence in the long-term commercial potential of the concession area.
With the addition of this new concession, Minerals Development Oman’s (MDO) total concession area now covers 24,119 sq km.
Strategic projects
MDO is not just an asset owner but also a driving force for regional mining sector growth. Each project is designed to create value for investors while delivering tangible benefits to local communities through job creation and economic empowerment.
In 2024, MDO launched several strategic exploration projects targeting key minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, salt, and hard silica. Earlier this year, the company broke ground on the Lasil and Al Baydha Copper Mines Redevelopment Project in Sohar, Liwa, which aims to produce 800,000 tonnes of copper ore annually, supported by a confirmed 2.78 million tonnes of commercial-grade copper reserves.
In the coming months, MDO is set to begin construction on the Yanqul Copper Project, managed by its subsidiary Mazoon Mining LLC. Located in the Yanqul region, Mazoon Mining received exclusive rights from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in 2022 to explore, develop, and produce copper concentrates, with gold as a secondary by-product. Following detailed feasibility studies, the Canadian firm Lycopodium has been appointed as the EPCM contractor, with construction expected to commence by the end of 2024. This project represents a significant milestone for MDO, positioning Oman as an emerging player in copper production and advancing the nation’s economic diversification strategy.
Nasser Al Maqbali, CEO of MDO, remarked, "This agreement underscores MDO’s commitment to harnessing the nation’s mineral wealth to create investment opportunities, generate employment, and drive sustainable industrial development. Our exploration of silica resources reflects Oman’s untapped potential to support critical industries, especially those related to the energy transition.
With these projects, MDO is becoming a key player in the region’s mining industry and helping Oman achieve its goals of economic diversification and sustainable growth. By focusing on strategic minerals and building impactful partnerships, we are committed to boosting the mining sector’s role in the national economy."
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.
Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.
EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.
Stress prevention
EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.
Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.
Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.
The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”
Daimler Truck Middle East Africa (DT MEA), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has announced expanded responsibilities for 59 markets across the Middle East and Africa
“This strategic move positions us to strengthen our regional presence and ensure unparalleled service for our customers alongside our strong partners,” said Michael Dietz, CEO and president of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa. “We look forward to the opportunities this new chapter brings as we continue to grow across these diverse and important markets.”
The new broader regional role will see DT MEA move even closer to its partners and customers to ensure continued delivery of products and services across all markets. The new regional remit has also been described as a further commitment to delivering quality Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses and FUSO Trucks and Buses for its customers.