Maersk Saudi Arabia (Maersk) and the Saudi Post Company (SPL) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance logistics and supply chain services for ecommerce companies operating in Saudi Arabia and potentially the wider GCC region.

The agreement aims to create a unified service model that meets the growing demand for efficient, end-to-end logistics solutions across regional and global markets.

The partnership will integrate Maersk’s global shipping and logistics capabilities with Saudi Post’s strong national delivery network.

By aligning their strengths, both organisations aim to offer a seamless logistics experience tailored to international eCommerce businesses looking to establish or scale operations within the Kingdom.

Enhancing regional logistics

Saudi Post’s in-country network, developed in line with Vision 2030 objectives, will connect with Maersk’s international infrastructure to deliver greater speed, efficiency, and reliability to customers.

Under the partnership, Saudi Post will manage all domestic services, including express customs clearance and last-mile delivery, while Maersk will handle the origin-side operations, international transport, and bonded fulfilment.

The collaboration will be supported by Maersk’s newly inaugurated Integrated Logistics Park in Jeddah, positioning Saudi Arabia as a vital regional logistics hub.

The MoU outlines joint efforts in digital system integration to ensure smooth data exchange, shared marketing and commercial initiatives to target global ecommerce clients, unified customer service protocols for consistent quality, and operational improvements to optimise capacity and performance.

This strategic alliance is expected to accelerate the development of a robust ecommerce ecosystem and reinforce the Kingdom’s role as a logistics leader in the Middle East.

"We are excited to partner with Saudi Post, who operate an unparalleled distribution network in Saudi Arabia, to create an integrated logistics solution that addresses the growing demand for efficient eCommerce fulfilment in the country," said Ahmed Al Olaby, director, Maersk Saudi Arabia, after signing the MoU. "Our extensive, global ocean network, along with the newly opened Integrated Logistics Park, would combine with Saudi Post's extensive domestic network, positioning us to deliver world-class logistics services that support businesses looking to enter or expand in the Saudi market."

“The strategic collaboration between SPL and Maersk is pivotal in streamlining cross-border e-commerce flows to and from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, enhancing connectivity, reliability, and growth opportunities across the region”, said Rouni Saad, international business sales director, SPL Group.

Both companies said that the MoU "directly contributes to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives by enhancing the Kingdom's logistics infrastructure, supporting the growth of the eCommerce sector, and facilitating international trade."

This could attract more international businesses to set up shop in Saudi Arabia, while providing them with reliable and efficient logistics solutions.

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Alcoa Corporation has finalised the sale of its 25.1% stake in the Ma’aden joint venture to Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden), marking a strategic exit from the integrated mining complex the two companies launched in 2009.

The transaction was completed under a binding share purchase and subscription agreement.

In exchange, Alcoa received around 86 million Ma’aden shares, valued at approximately US$1.2bn, alongside US$150mn in cash, which will primarily be used to cover taxes and transaction costs.

The company expects to report a gain of roughly US$780mn under other income for the third quarter of 2025.

In line with past asset sales, this gain will be recorded as a special item.

Saudi mining growth

Alcoa, which is based in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, is a global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products. It will now hold an estimated 2% of Ma’aden’s outstanding shares.

As stipulated in the agreement, these shares must be retained for a minimum of three years, with one-third eligible for sale after each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the transaction’s closing.

However, under certain conditions, Alcoa is allowed to hedge or borrow against the shares during the holding period, and the lock-up may be reduced in specific scenarios.

The Ma’aden joint venture, established as a fully integrated aluminium production complex in Saudi Arabia, comprises the Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC) and the Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC).

Prior to the deal, Ma’aden held a 74.9% majority stake.

Citi served as Alcoa’s exclusive financial advisor for the transaction, while legal counsel was provided by White & Case LLP.

“While today marks the end of the Joint Venture, the closing of this transaction demonstrates the initial value to our shareholders and enables visibility within Alcoa’s financials until we monetize in the future,” said William F. Oplinger, Alcoa’s president and CEO.

“I thank Ma’aden’s leadership and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their partnership over the last 16 years, and we look forward to continued engagement as Ma’aden shareholders.”

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COBOD International, in partnership with Technische Universität Braunschweig, has launched the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, expanding the scope of 3D printing in construction.

Unveiled during the grand opening of the Digital Construction Site at TU Braunschweig, the system merges COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer with a telescopic vertical extension and robotic arm designed for the Shotcrete 3D Printing Process (SC3DP).

Shotcrete, a concrete-spraying technique typically used in complex structures such as tunnels, retaining walls, and swimming pools, forms the basis of the SC3DP system.

However, the telescopic unit’s versatility allows it to host multiple tool types beyond shotcrete, including sanding equipment, paint spray guns, and insulation tools, transforming the 3D printer into a multifunctional robotic platform.

A 3D printing aid

The system offers a dynamic vertical reach of 3 metres, enabling the robotic arm to operate on printed structures situated up to 3 metres below the X-axis.

This functionality allows users to print, reinforce, and finish complex, double-curved concrete walls with precision and geometric freedom. Reinforcement can either be embedded after concrete placement or applied by spraying around prefabricated reinforcement meshes.

The launch was attended by Helga Kühnhenrich, Head of Research and Innovation in the Construction Industry at Germany’s Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), who highlighted the growing industry focus on automation to cut costs and reduce labour dependence.

According to COBOD, the robotic system can even be equipped with a gripper to automatically install prefabricated elements such as aerated concrete blocks or bricks, features traditionally outside the scope of standard 3D printing setups.

With this, the company aims to redefine what construction robotics can achieve, merging digital precision with functional adaptability.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen, general manager and founder of COBOD International, said, “For years we have had the vision of making multifunctional construction robots on the basis of our 3D construction printers. Seeing the first materialisation of our vision here makes me very proud. With this new technology we offer automation of many more construction processes than just printing of concrete walls. With our new COBOD robotic arm at the end of the telescopic arm there is an endless amount of construction tasks that our printing system can now automate and expedite to the benefit of our global customers.”

Professor Harald Kloft for Structural Design at ITE explained, “Our partnership with COBOD is a decisive step towards the digital construction site of the future. 3D printing enables automated, digitally controlled processes of simple as well as very complex tasks, like the fabrication of reinforced double curved walls. The ability to make complex, individualised, material efficient and low waste construction solutions makes 3D printing ideal for the construction industry, as it brings together economic, environmental and social aspects, such as the reduction of physical stress.”

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