In The Spotlight
ASMO, the joint venture formed by Aramco and DHL, has begun construction of its first dedicated logistics hub at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), marking a major step in expanding logistics infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s energy and industrial sectors.
The large-scale project, spanning 1.4 million sq m, is being developed in partnership with global investment firm Arcapita Group Holdings following the signing of a long-term strategic agreement earlier this year.
The facility will include a temperature-controlled Grade A warehouse, chemical storage units, administrative offices, staff facilities and a large industrial storage yard. The development is also being designed with advanced automation and smart warehousing systems aimed at improving operational efficiency and supporting future expansion.
Developers said the project will incorporate high technical and safety standards, alongside sustainability-focused features including photovoltaic readiness, EV charging infrastructure and advanced fire protection systems. The site is also targeting LEED Gold certification.
The hub is expected to support the increasingly complex logistics demands of Saudi Arabia’s growing industrial and energy sectors, while strengthening domestic supply chain capabilities as the Kingdom continues to invest heavily in industrial diversification under Vision 2030.
Salem A. Al Huraish, chairman of ASMO, said the project forms part of a broader national logistics strategy.
“This facility represents an important step in building ASMO’s long-term logistics network in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“As the first of three planned strategic sites across the Kingdom, it will strengthen in-Kingdom supply chain capabilities and support reliable, efficient logistics operations for the energy and industrial sectors.”
He added that the development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position itself as a regional logistics and trade hub.
Once completed, the facility will support Saudi Aramco, its affiliates and a wider customer base operating across the industrial and energy sectors.
Sulaiman M. Al Rubaian, Aramco senior vice president of procurement and supply chain management, said high-quality logistics assets are becoming increasingly important for operational resilience.
“This facility marks an important step forward in advancing more integrated and resilient supply chain operations,” he said.
The project is also intended to respond to wider changes in global trade and supply chain structures, with companies increasingly prioritising regionalised and diversified logistics networks to improve reliability and continuity.
Sh. Isa bin Hussam Al Khalifa, managing director and head of MENA real estate at Arcapita, said demand for institutional-grade logistics assets is continuing to grow across Saudi Arabia.
“As the Kingdom continues to prioritise industrial development, supply chain resilience and self-sufficiency, demand for scalable, high-quality logistics infrastructure is increasing,” he said.
Mishal Al Zughaibi, president and CEO of SPARK, said the project further strengthens the park’s role as a regional energy and logistics centre.
Located close to key transport and operating corridors, SPARK offers direct access to logistics infrastructure, including one of the region’s largest privately owned dry ports.
In front of the company's headquarters, the flags fly in the new design. (image source: Deutz AG)
Cologne-based DEUTZ, a provider of innovative and sustainable mobility and energy solutions, has unveiled a new brand identity that visually captures the company’s transformation of recent years
It reflects the ‘Next DEUTZ’ corporate strategy, which positions DEUTZ more broadly and strengthens the company’s resilience, and the introduction of a new organisational structure with five business units.
“Our new brand combines familiar and new elements,” said DEUTZ CEO Dr. Sebastian Schulte. “Tradition, reliability, and pride in our heritage remain central, for example in the corporate red and the outline of Ulm Minster. At the same time, the new identity embodies openness, progress, and innovation. The open D in the new logo symbolises collaboration and transparency, while the colour yellow represents courage and optimism for the future.”
A key feature of the rebranding is the clear, consistent positioning of the five business units: Defense, Energy, Engines, NewTech, and Service. They will each have their own sub-brand in the market, thus consolidating their own profile beneath the strong DEUTZ umbrella brand.
The new identity highlights tradition and transformation, both internally and externally. It was developed through a collaborative, company-wide process involving more than 1,300 employees. Ideas and input from across the organisation helped to shape the design through workshops, discussions, and structured feedback. The result is a brand that was created from within as an authentic identity for the company’s next chapter.
DEUTZ will gradually roll out the new brand over the coming months. The process was supported by the agency Strichpunkt Design, which was also responsible for delivering the final design.
DP World has welcomed a senior delegation from Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones to discuss progress on the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone and review upcoming stages of the project’s development.
The delegation was led by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef and met with senior DP World executives in Dubai, including Essa Kazim and Yuvraj Narayan. Discussions focused on infrastructure progress, investment opportunities and long-term economic cooperation between the UAE and Oman.
The visit also included a tour of the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone site in Mahdah, located in Oman’s Al Buraimi Governorate near the UAE border. Officials reviewed construction updates and ongoing infrastructure works designed to support future industrial and logistics activity.
Essa Kazim said the project would play a key role in boosting regional trade and supply chains. “The Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone is expected to create new opportunities for investment and industrial growth while strengthening connectivity between Oman and the UAE,” he said.
“Our continued engagement with OPAZ reflects the strong collaboration behind this project and our shared commitment to developing a globally competitive economic zone that delivers long-term value for both countries,” he added.
Strategically positioned with links to Sohar Port and Jebel Ali Port, the zone is expected to attract businesses operating in logistics, warehousing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, mining and light manufacturing.
The development supports wider regional growth strategies, including Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Oman Vision 2040, both of which aim to diversify economic activity and strengthen industrial capabilities.
Helium, a scarce non-renewable gas, is indispensable for numerous high-tech sectors with few viable substitutes.
Its unique cryogenic properties, superior heat conduction, chemical stability, tiny atomic size, and rapid diffusion make it vital in semiconductor fabrication, medical MRI scanners, aerospace, fibre optics, and advanced research.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including attacks on Qatar’s key energy infrastructure and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has severely disrupted not only oil and gas flows but also global helium availability.
Qatar, home to the massive Ras Laffan facility, normally accounts for over a third of worldwide helium supply as a by-product of large-scale natural gas processing.
Damage to the site and blocked shipping routes have created a dual shock, driving up prices and threatening downstream industries.
In semiconductor manufacturing, helium plays multiple irreplaceable roles.
It serves as a carrier gas in deposition, a diluent in plasma etching, and a coolant to prevent wafer warping during high-temperature steps.
It is particularly critical for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography used in sub-5nm chips that power artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The gas also enables leak detection and maintains ultra-pure environments in fabrication plants.
Some experts noted that semiconductor fabs are reliant on a stable supply, highlighting that helium escapes storage containers at roughly 1% per day, making large inventories impractical.
Demand for helium in chip production is forecast to rise more than fivefold by 2035, according to market analysts.
Major players such as TSMC typically hold several months of stock and operate recycling systems, yet prolonged disruption could slow output or, in extreme cases, force temporary shutdowns.
South Korea’s chipmakers, including Samsung and SK Hynix, appear especially exposed after sourcing around 65% of their helium from Qatar in recent years, though some have secured longer-term deals with suppliers drawing from US sources.
Taiwan has a somewhat more diversified position but still faces risks.
Helium is typically extracted in tiny concentrations (0.3–0.5%) from natural gas and requires energy-intensive cryogenic separation, membranes, and pressure swing adsorption before liquefaction for transport.
Qatar’s vast processing scale at Ras Laffan made it uniquely central to global supply.
Alternative geological sources with higher helium concentrations exist, notably in the US and Canada, where smaller operators can deploy lower-cost membrane and PSA technologies, but scaling these will take time.
Some industry figures have estimated that if the strait opened immediately, it would still take four to six months to normalise supply.
Should the crisis persist, semiconductor manufacturers are likely to accelerate helium reclamation and conservation techniques, similar to closed-loop systems successfully adopted in modern MRI machines.
Past shortages over the last two decades have already encouraged diversification strategies, including broader sourcing from the US, Russia, and emerging projects.
While contingency plans exist, the duration of the current blockage will determine the full extent of impact on the chip sector and the wider technology supply chain.
Persistent volatility could hasten efforts to reduce single-country dependence and promote balanced global helium sourcing.
This report was based on insights from IDTechEx
Dubai has announced its most ambitious metro expansion to date with the launch of the Gold Line, a fully underground route that promises to reshape urban mobility across the emirate.
The Dh34 billion project, approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, represents a significant leap in infrastructure development.
Spanning 42 km and running entirely at a depth of up to 40 m, the Gold Line will be Dubai’s first fully subterranean metro line, marking a departure from the elevated and partially underground designs of the existing Red and Green lines.
Joseph Salem, partner and head of the travel, transportation & hospitality practice at Arthur D. Little Middle East, described the project as “a landmark moment in the emirate’s infrastructure evolution, and arguably the most ambitious urban transport undertaking in the Middle East in a generation.”
He highlighted the engineering challenges and innovations involved, noting that the decision to construct the line entirely underground reflects the maturity of Dubai’s urban fabric and the need to route a major transit artery through dense commercial and residential districts without causing surface disruption.
Utilising the latest tunnel boring machine technology, the Gold Line will pass beneath Dubai Creek and some of the city’s busiest business corridors.
This approach sets a new regional benchmark for underground rail delivery while minimising disruption to daily life and existing infrastructure.The route has been meticulously planned as a genuine urban connector, featuring 18 stations across 15 strategic locations.
It begins at the historic Al Ghubaiba waterfront and threads through areas including City Walk, Business Bay, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Meydan, Nad Al Sheba, Al Barsha South, and Jumeirah Village Circle, before terminating at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
This alignment directly serves corridors home to 55 mega-development projects currently under construction, addressing long-standing mobility infrastructure deficits in these high-growth zones.
Upon completion, the line is expected to benefit more than 1.5 million residents.
From an intermodal perspective, the Gold Line will integrate seamlessly with the existing Red and Green Metro lines at multiple interchange points.
It will also connect to Etihad Rail at Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates, transforming it from a purely city metro into a vital component of a broader national transport network.
This linkage will, for the first time, connect Dubai’s urban core to the wider UAE rail ecosystem, enhancing regional connectivity.
Economically, the project is projected to deliver substantial returns.
Authorities anticipate a daily ridership of 465,000 passengers beyond 2040, with the Dh34 billion investment expected to generate a 430% cumulative economic return over 20 years.
These benefits will stem from time and fuel savings, reduced road accidents, and lower carbon emissions.
The Gold Line is scheduled for inauguration on 9 September 2032 (exactly 23 years after the original Dubai Metro launch in 2009) and is being delivered on a timeline 30% faster than the Blue Line.
Salem emphasised that the Gold Line is as much an economic infrastructure project as a transport one.
By alleviating congestion and supporting sustainable growth, it will reinforce Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart, future-ready urban mobility.
Tenders are expected to be issued later this year, with contract awards anticipated in 2027 and construction commencing shortly thereafter.
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) has released findings from a public survey assessing the impact of its single-use plastics policy, highlighting significant progress in reducing plastic consumption and increasing environmental awareness across the emirate.
Introduced in 2020, the policy has played a key role in shaping broader sustainability efforts in the UAE, contributing to the implementation of nationwide restrictions on single-use plastic products. Since its launch, more than 470mn plastic bags have been avoided, while usage at major retail outlets has fallen by as much as 95%.
Recycling initiatives have also gained traction, with around 267mn plastic bottles collected through household efforts and a network of more than 170 smart recycling machines across Abu Dhabi. These measures have helped divert approximately 7,386 tonnes of plastic waste from landfill, with associated emissions savings comparable to removing around 185,000 petrol-powered vehicles from the road for a year.
To evaluate public perception and behaviour, EAD surveyed over 5,000 residents representing 126 nationalities. The results indicate a strong rise in awareness, with 96% of respondents recognising the environmental risks linked to plastic use. A similar proportion said they are actively reducing their reliance on plastic through everyday sustainable practices.
Health considerations are also influencing behaviour. Around 95% of participants acknowledged the potential health impacts associated with plastic products, signalling a broader shift towards safer consumption choices. Public response to awareness campaigns has been largely positive, with 89% expressing satisfaction with the clarity and effectiveness of EAD’s messaging.
The survey also points to growing acceptance of policy measures supporting sustainability. Nearly 89% of respondents said the cost of reusable alternatives is reasonable, while 88% supported allocating proceeds from plastic bag charges to environmental initiatives. In addition, 95% indicated confidence in existing regulations and enforcement measures.
Officials say the findings reflect a meaningful change in public attitudes, reinforcing the effectiveness of policy interventions and awareness campaigns. The results are expected to inform future regulatory developments, including plans to further oversee the trade of single-use products and promote environmentally friendly alternatives.
The outcomes align with national sustainability ambitions, including the UAE’s broader efforts to reduce plastic pollution and encourage responsible consumption. Public support for these initiatives appears strong, with 93% of respondents expressing overall satisfaction with the survey and its objectives.
EAD noted that the results underline Abu Dhabi’s leadership in advancing environmental policies and fostering community engagement in sustainability. By combining regulation, awareness and innovation, the emirate is continuing to build momentum towards reducing plastic waste and supporting a more sustainable future.
The Ministry of Energy and Minerals Oman has granted a mining concession for Block 25-B in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, as part of ongoing efforts to expand exploration activity and strengthen the Sultanate’s minerals sector.
The agreement, signed with Majan Manganese Company, gives the firm rights to explore and develop the 747 sq km concession area. The company is a partnership between local firm Alfirdaws for Mining and Iran-based Farco, combining expertise in manganese extraction, mineral processing and related industrial applications.
Awarded through a competitive process via the Ministry’s Taqa platform, the block is considered geologically diverse, featuring ophiolite formations, sedimentary deposits and other structures associated with mineralisation. Manganese is identified as a key resource, alongside other associated المعادن.
An initial exploration phase, expected to run for two to three years, will include topographical, geochemical and geophysical surveys, as well as the preparation of geological maps covering most of the concession. Drilling and trenching programmes will also be undertaken to assess mineral potential across a substantial portion of the site. Investment in this phase is expected to exceed US$4mn.
Officials noted that the project aligns with national ambitions under Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises economic diversification and the development of non-oil sectors. The concession is intended to attract investment, enhance value creation from natural resources and support the growth of local supply chains.
The Ministry highlighted North Al Sharqiyah as a promising mining region, with multiple agreements already signed to develop its varied mineral resources, including copper, chromium, manganese and laterite. The latest concession further reinforces the governorate’s role in supporting sector expansion.
In addition to resource development, the project is expected to contribute to knowledge transfer and capacity building. The involvement of an international partner with proprietary technology for upgrading lower-grade ores is seen as an opportunity to strengthen technical capabilities within the domestic mining industry.
Authorities also pointed to wider initiatives aimed at improving the investment landscape. These include updates to regulatory frameworks, the creation of designated mining zones and the rollout of digital platforms to streamline licensing and project processes. Infrastructure development, including ports and industrial zones, is also being enhanced to support sector growth.
Efforts are also under way to strengthen occupational health and safety standards and to implement specialised training programmes to develop a skilled workforce aligned with global best practice.
Majan Manganese Company stated it will carry out the exploration programme in line with international technical and environmental standards, aiming to unlock the block’s potential while contributing to sustainable development of Oman’s mineral value chain.
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GE Vernova has secured a new order from the Middle Delta Electricity Production Company (MDEPC), an affiliate of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), to modernise power generation assets at the Bahna and Nubaria power plants in Egypt.
The agreement includes two Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrades for GE Vernova 9F gas turbines operating at the Bahna power plant, alongside long-term services agreements covering both Bahna and Nubaria facilities. The contracts span 15 years for Bahna and eight years for Nubaria.
Booked during the first quarter of 2026, the project is expected to be implemented over a three-year period and forms part of Egypt’s broader strategy to modernise its electricity infrastructure, strengthen energy security and improve power generation efficiency.
According to MDEPC, the AGP upgrades are expected to enhance the operational performance of the turbines while increasing electricity output and reducing fuel consumption.
Mohamed El-Abd said the project demonstrated the benefits advanced turbine technology could bring to Egypt’s F-class gas turbine fleet.
He noted that the upgrades are expected to improve the efficiency of each turbine by around 2%, while also increasing generation capacity. The enhanced performance is anticipated to support additional power generation using fuel more efficiently and may contribute to lowering carbon emissions per megawatt hour.
The agreement also aims to improve plant reliability and extend maintenance intervals through the application of AGP technology, which has increasingly been used globally to optimise existing gas-fired generation assets.
Joseph Anis said improving the efficiency and availability of existing power generation infrastructure remained an important priority for many countries facing rising electricity demand.
He added that technologies such as AGP upgrades could help operators improve operational performance while supporting more reliable and efficient electricity generation.
GE Vernova has maintained a presence in Egypt’s power sector for more than five decades, supporting projects across power generation, transmission and energy services. The company’s installed base in Egypt currently includes more than 60 gas and steam turbines with a combined generating capacity of approximately 10GW.
The latest agreement reflects continued investment in upgrading existing infrastructure as Egypt works to meet growing electricity demand while improving the efficiency and sustainability of its power sector.
In front of the company's headquarters, the flags fly in the new design. (image source: Deutz AG)
Kuwait’s Environment Public Authority (EPA) is strengthening its oversight of water resources through enhanced monitoring systems designed to safeguard public health and ensure environmental sustainability, according to a report by Arab Times.
The authority is deploying advanced tracking mechanisms to assess water quality in line with international benchmarks, aiming to maintain access to safe and clean water supplies amid current conditions.
In a televised statement, Abdullah Al-Yateem, head of the EPA’s Chemical Testing Department, said water quality management is guided by standards derived from Kuwait’s Environmental Protection Law. He noted that a combination of chemical and biological indicators is used to detect contaminants and verify that water remains within safe limits.
Al-Yateem highlighted the critical role of EPA laboratories in analysing both drinking water and seawater samples, ensuring continuous monitoring across the entire water cycle. He explained that inspection teams conduct routine field visits across all governorates, collecting random samples of drinking water for laboratory testing to confirm compliance with regulatory standards.
The monitoring programme also extends to marine environments. Samples are regularly collected from coastal areas across Kuwait, from the northern to southern shores, and analysed to assess seawater quality. This process is supported by coordination with other relevant authorities, which contribute additional testing data to strengthen overall monitoring efficiency.
In addition to water testing, the EPA is carrying out checks on marine life, including fish and other organisms, to ensure they are safe for consumption and free from pollutants. These measures are part of a broader effort to protect ecosystems and maintain public confidence in environmental quality.
Al-Yateem reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to adopting best practices in environmental monitoring and resource management. He also stressed the importance of public awareness, encouraging responsible water use as part of wider sustainability efforts.
The EPA sought to reassure residents that drinking water supplies, as well as marine environments, remain safe, emphasising that ongoing testing has not identified concerning levels of contamination.
The intensified monitoring comes as regional authorities place greater emphasis on environmental protection and resource security, particularly in relation to water, which remains a critical asset in arid climates such as Kuwait.
Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) has announced the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS), set to take place from 12-14 May 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Positioned as the emirate’s flagship platform for infrastructure and urban development, the event will return with an expanded agenda, reflecting rising global demand for scalable and sustainable city solutions. Held under the theme ‘Urban evolution: rethinking cities, redefining how we live’, the summit will convene policymakers, industry leaders, investors and developers to explore practical approaches to building resilient, people-focused urban environments.
The event is underpinned by Abu Dhabi’s US$57bn infrastructure pipeline, covering sectors such as transport, housing, education and culture. According to ADPIC, the emirate delivered 100 capital projects in 2025, highlighting its ability to execute large-scale developments efficiently.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said the summit goes beyond showcasing future plans. “ADIS is a platform to demonstrate how cities can be designed and delivered with people at their core,” he said. “Through integrated planning and advanced mobility systems, Abu Dhabi continues to create connected, sustainable communities that enhance quality of life.”
He added that global collaboration will be central to addressing urban challenges. “Cities today require coordinated efforts at an unprecedented scale. ADIS 2026 brings together international expertise to develop solutions that support responsible growth while meeting the needs of communities.”
With urban populations expected to account for around 70% of the global total by 2050, the pressure on infrastructure systems is intensifying. Abu Dhabi’s economic performance reflects this momentum, with GDP reaching AED325.7bn in Q3 2025 and construction activity rising by 13.9% year-on-year.
Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of ADPIC, said execution remains at the heart of the emirate’s strategy. “Abu Dhabi has established itself as a benchmark for infrastructure delivery through consistent performance,” he said. “This summit reinforces our commitment to working with global partners to shape how cities are planned, financed and delivered.”
ADIS 2026 will feature a multi-day conference, exhibition and targeted networking sessions, focusing on key themes such as infrastructure delivery, urban wellbeing, smart technologies, sustainability and resilience. The programme will also include dedicated sessions with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, addressing contracting frameworks and project governance.
The summit is expected to attract increased international participation, building on strong engagement from global markets and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for infrastructure innovation and investment.
Deep-sea mining could cause significant and potentially irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. (Image source: Gringo/Zemgale via Wikimedia Commons)
Negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council have concluded without agreement on a Mining Code or approval of any deep-sea mining activities, highlighting continued divisions over environmental and regulatory concerns.
Over two weeks of discussions, member states failed to resolve key issues including environmental protections, liability frameworks, inspection mechanisms, compliance procedures and benefit-sharing arrangements. Several countries, including France, Costa Rica, Germany, Brazil and Palau, raised concerns over scientific uncertainties and governance gaps, stressing that these must be addressed before any mining proceeds.
The Council also backed an ongoing investigation by the ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission into potential contractor non-compliance. Preliminary findings indicate that one contractor may have breached its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The inquiry will continue, with further updates expected at the Council’s next session.
The investigation comes amid scrutiny of companies pursuing unilateral deep-sea mining pathways, including Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., a subsidiary of The Metals Company. Concerns have also emerged in countries such as Netherlands and Switzerland regarding potential involvement of national entities in such activities.
Environmental groups and policy experts have warned that deep-sea mining could cause significant and potentially irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. They argue that the lack of comprehensive scientific understanding and regulatory clarity presents substantial risks to ocean health.
Support for a precautionary pause continues to grow, with around 40 countries now backing calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Advocates say this approach would allow time to address knowledge gaps, strengthen governance frameworks and ensure that environmental safeguards are robust before any commercial activity begins.
The outcome of the latest ISA Council meeting underscores the complexity of balancing resource development with environmental protection. As negotiations continue, governments face increasing pressure to establish clear rules that safeguard the ocean while addressing future demand for critical minerals.
A new whitepaper by Alvarez & Marsal has outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at accelerating industrial localisation across the GCC, arguing that Gulf economies could reduce traditional industrial development timelines from decades to just years through coordinated policy action and technology transfer.
The report, titled Industrial Manufacturing Localization: A Strategic Imperative – Middle East, comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics, changing trade flows and growing global competition for industrial investment. According to the study, the region now has a narrowing opportunity to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and secure long-term competitiveness.
Drawing on case studies from aerospace and automotive sectors in countries including Italy, Turkey, Brazil, China and Mexico, the whitepaper noted that industrial ecosystems historically took between 25 and 50 years to mature. However, the report argued that GCC countries are uniquely positioned to accelerate this process through decisive government intervention, structured public-private collaboration and targeted knowledge transfer initiatives.
The study stressed that successful localisation extends beyond factory construction and assembly operations. Instead, long-term economic value depends on developing domestic engineering expertise, innovation capabilities and ownership of product design and manufacturing processes.
Angelo Carella said industrial localisation required more than financial investment alone. He noted that experiences in Turkey and China demonstrated how strong enforcement of technology transfer obligations, supplier development programmes and research and development targets could accelerate industrial growth.
The report also highlighted the need for countries to move beyond assembly-led manufacturing towards innovation-led ecosystems capable of supporting globally competitive industries.
Andrea Di Lello said the Middle East had reached a critical stage in its industrial transformation journey. He added that governments across the GCC had already made substantial commitments to localisation, but sustained investment in technology transfer, research and development and policy execution would determine long-term success.
Central to the report is A&M’s four-step industrial localisation model. The framework begins with establishing regulatory foundations and assembly operations before advancing towards technology transfer through joint ventures, licensing agreements and supplier development.
The third stage focuses on ecosystem maturity, including investment in engineering education, vocational training, research centres and certification capabilities. The final stage involves integrating local industries into global markets through international standards alignment, partnerships and consolidation.
The report highlighted progress already being made in Saudi Arabia, particularly in aerospace, shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing. According to the study, the Kingdom is now entering a more advanced localisation phase centred on innovation, supply chain development and industrial research capabilities.
In Oman, the paper pointed to a different strategy aligned with Oman Vision 2040, with greater emphasis on advanced engineering and design capabilities supported by universities and public-sector collaboration.
The whitepaper concluded that countries able to embed innovation ecosystems and retain design ownership would be best positioned to build sustainable and globally competitive industrial sectors.
Brady has launched the BradyPrinter i4311. (Image source: Brady Corporation)
UAE's DP World has introduced a new integrated logistics corridor linking Brazil with Africa, aimed at improving trade connectivity between Latin America’s largest economy and rapidly expanding African markets
Named the Brazil-Africa Link, the new service was launched during Intermodal South America 2026 in São Paulo. It offers a fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution connecting export cargo from the Port of Santos to DP World’s operations in Angola and Mozambique, with additional support from its wider logistics network in South Africa.
Developed under a “one-stop shop” model, the corridor combines ocean freight services with inland logistics capabilities, allowing customers to manage their complete supply chain through one provider. The platform provides access to three port terminals, 52 warehouses and a fleet of more than 4,250 vehicles, helping improve efficiency, visibility and reliability across cargo movements.
The service is intended to support major Brazilian export industries such as animal proteins, agricultural commodities and consumer goods. It is designed to help exporters improve transit certainty, lower operational complexity and widen access to African markets.
Fabio Siccherino said, “This Brazil-Africa Link simplifies the journey for Brazilian exporters to a market with enormous growth potential. By integrating the entire logistics chain – from port of origin to final delivery – we reduce complexity, increase predictability, and enable our customers to unlock new business opportunities between Brazil and Africa.”
Mohammed Akoojee said: "The Brazil-Africa Link marks a transformative step in connecting Latin America's largest economy with high-growth markets across Africa. This integrated logistics corridor leverages our investments in port infrastructure, economic free zones, and digital technology across Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa to enable growth, create jobs, and deepen economic partnership between our continents."
Expanding integrated logistics in Brazil
DP World said it is continuing to strengthen its end-to-end logistics presence in Brazil through three strategic areas:
Ports and Terminals: The company operates one of Brazil’s leading multipurpose terminals at the Port of Santos, which serves as the foundation of its local operations and supports increasing container and bulk cargo volumes.
Freight Forwarding: DP World manages six freight forwarding offices across Brazil, providing multimodal transport services covering ocean, air and road freight, alongside warehousing, container freight station (CFS), insurance and customs clearance solutions.
Contract Logistics: The business is also expanding warehousing capacity through multi-client facilities in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, delivering integrated B2B services covering storage, distribution, reverse logistics and value-added solutions.
Strengthening Santos capacity
DP World is also investing further in capacity growth and operational capability at its Santos terminal, reinforcing its status as a strategic South American trade gateway. Following a record 2025, during which the terminal handled 1.3 million TEUs and 5 million tonnes of pulp, the company is advancing investments worth more than R$2 billion (approx. US$400 million).
These upgrades include quay expansion, new equipment, a new berthing pier and the development of a grains and fertilisers terminal in partnership with Rumo, with annual handling capacity of up to 12.5 million tonnes.
A further R$1.6 billion (approx. US$320 million) investment is expected to lift container handling capacity to 1.7 million TEUs by 2026 and 2.1 million TEUs by 2028.
DP World said these investments reinforce the infrastructure supporting the Brazil-Africa Link, connecting expanded Santos port operations with its African logistics network to create more resilient and dependable trade corridors between Brazil and fast-growing African markets.
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