Logistics

Parkin Company has entered into a strategic partnership with Glydways Inc. to roll out integrated parking and transport solutions across selected locations in Dubai.

The collaboration is aimed at improving first and last mile connectivity, supporting the emirate’s wider smart city ambitions. By combining Parkin’s network of parking facilities with Glydways’ Flow Networks, the initiative seeks to create smoother, end-to-end travel experiences for users.

Under the agreement, a number of Parkin-operated sites will be redeveloped into multimodal mobility hubs. These locations will serve as access points for Glydways’ autonomous vehicles, known as Glydcars, which operate on dedicated guideways to provide non-stop, congestion-free journeys to specific destinations.

The integration is expected to reduce reliance on traditional transport transfers, while improving convenience and easing pressure on road networks. It also forms part of a broader push towards more sustainable urban mobility solutions in Dubai.

As part of the rollout, Parkin’s subsidiary, Parkin Mobility, will lead efforts to combine advanced parking infrastructure with the new transport system. The approach is intended to optimise space utilisation while maintaining efficient access to key destinations.

Digital integration will also play a central role. Glydways’ services—including route planning, real-time availability, journey times and booking—will be incorporated into Parkin’s mobile app and online platform. This will allow users to manage both parking and transport through a single interface, streamlining the overall journey.

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said the partnership reflects a shift towards more connected urban systems. “The future of mobility lies in integration and efficiency,” he said. “By linking parking infrastructure with autonomous transport, we are creating a more seamless and user-focused experience that supports Dubai’s vision for smarter mobility.”

Mark Seeger, CEO of Glydways, highlighted the importance of embedding new technologies within existing urban frameworks. “This collaboration demonstrates how autonomous transport can be integrated into a city’s infrastructure rather than added as a separate layer,” he said. “Together, we are transforming parking locations into gateways for on-demand mobility, enabling smoother and more efficient travel across the city.”

The initiative signals a move towards more integrated, technology-driven transport ecosystems, as Dubai continues to invest in innovative mobility solutions to support future growth.

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.

Al Masaood Automobiles and Etihad Rail Freight have completed the first-ever rail movement of finished passenger vehicles for an automotive dealership in the UAE, marking a significant development in the country’s logistics and transport sector.

The shipment involved Nissan passenger vehicles transported from ports on the eastern coast to the dry port at Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, demonstrating how rail infrastructure can now support high-value automotive supply chains in addition to traditional bulk cargo.

Al Masaood Automobiles, the authorised distributor for Nissan, INFINITI and Renault across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, worked with Etihad Rail Freight to deliver the consignment. This makes it the first automotive dealership in the country to move finished vehicles via rail.

The initiative reflects the growing role of the UAE’s national rail network in expanding beyond commodities into more complex logistics segments. By integrating rail into existing distribution systems, the project demonstrates improved coordination between ports, inland terminals and final delivery points.

Transporting vehicles by rail enabled a more streamlined journey from port to destination, improving efficiency, reducing handling time and enhancing delivery predictability. For the automotive sector, where timing and reliability are critical, this approach supports a more consistent customer experience and reduces logistical delays.

Irfan Tansel, Chief Executive Officer of Al Masaood Automobiles, said the initiative strengthens the end-to-end customer journey by improving how efficiently vehicles are delivered. He noted that the collaboration highlights the value of combining national infrastructure with private sector operations to support long-term operational improvements.

Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail Freight, said the milestone demonstrates the intended role of rail freight as a scalable and reliable logistics solution that integrates seamlessly into modern supply chains. He added that the national rail network is designed to improve resilience and efficiency across the logistics sector and enable broader adoption by businesses across the country.

Beyond operational benefits, the shift also supports environmental objectives. Rail freight offers a lower-emission alternative to road-based transport, contributing to reduced carbon output across automotive logistics chains. This aligns with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and wider efforts to decarbonise key economic sectors.

The development highlights the UAE’s continued investment in integrated infrastructure, where transport systems are increasingly designed to work together to improve efficiency and sustainability. It also reflects a broader push to enhance connectivity between ports, industrial zones and distribution networks.

As rail freight capabilities expand, further opportunities are expected to emerge across high-value sectors, strengthening the country’s logistics ecosystem and supporting long-term economic diversification.

Savoye has appointed Hakim Ramadan as general manager for the Middle East, tasking him with leading the company’s regional operations and commercial direction as demand for advanced intralogistics solutions continues to rise.

In his new role, Ramadan will focus on expanding Savoye’s footprint across the region, strengthening customer engagement and advancing automation-driven warehouse and supply chain systems. His leadership comes at a time when businesses across the Middle East are accelerating investments in logistics technologies to improve efficiency and resilience.

The regional logistics sector is experiencing steady growth, supported by increasing adoption of automation, rapid expansion of e-commerce and ongoing infrastructure development. These trends are reshaping supply chains and creating opportunities for technology providers specialising in warehouse automation and software integration.

Savoye’s leadership highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle East as a growth market, noting that Ramadan’s industry experience and understanding of regional dynamics will support the company’s ambitions to scale its operations and enhance customer value.

Ramadan will oversee efforts to strengthen operational capabilities while supporting commercial development across key sectors. A key priority will be delivering tailored intralogistics solutions that address increasingly complex supply chain requirements, particularly as organisations seek more agile and data-driven operations.

Commenting on his appointment, Ramadan said the region is witnessing a shift towards more efficient and future-ready logistics systems. He emphasised the importance of working closely with customers and partners to implement practical solutions that deliver measurable improvements in performance.

Since entering the Middle East market in 2021, Savoye has steadily expanded its presence by combining automation technologies, software platforms and packaging systems to deliver integrated intralogistics solutions. The company has been targeting high-growth sectors where efficiency, scalability and operational visibility are critical.

With Ramadan now at the helm of its regional operations, Savoye is aiming to accelerate its growth trajectory, deepen partnerships and further position itself as a key player in the evolution of automated logistics across the Middle East.