Port of Fujairah has evolved into a vital maritime and shipping services centre for the UAE. (Image source: Port of Fujairah)

The Port of Fujairah has signed a strategic agreement with Endava to lead a comprehensive digital transformation initiative that aims to unify and modernise the port’s operations.

Spanning five years and divided into six modules, the project will introduce state-of-the-art digital solutions to enhance vessel call management, dry and liquid bulk operations, gate pass security and real-time analytics, with the goal of achieving world-class efficiency and transparency across all activities.

At the heart of the initiative is a new Port Community System called “MarHub,” envisioned as a fully inclusive and connected digital gateway for all stakeholders.

Over the last four decades, the Port of Fujairah has evolved into a vital maritime and shipping services centre for the UAE and the region, offering a wide range of services including container operations, general and project cargo handling, and dry and liquid bulk logistics.

With an annual throughput nearing 120 million metric tonnes of cargo, 5,000 port calls and more than 12,000 anchorage calls, technology is critical to keeping operations smooth.

This latest transformation effort represents a major step in future-proofing the port’s infrastructure and operational capabilities.

A five-year transformation

Khalil Ebrahim, deputy managing director at Port of Fujairah, said, “Efficiency is the cornerstone of our operations – every moment saved translates directly to enhanced service quality and economic gains. With this transformation, we are not only optimising our processes but also reinforcing full transparency, which ensures security, trust and streamlined workflows. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to providing our business partners with world-class infrastructure and services, perfectly complementing our strategic geographic position.”

He continued, “Seeking to match world-class standards, we’ve selected a partner with global expertise. Endava was especially impressive in its human-centric approach to technology, its suite of proven digital accelerators, and demonstrated ability to deliver truly transformative undertaking with agility, precision, and scale.”

Endava will implement MarHub as a next-generation platform to improve data access, streamline workflows and provide a scalable base for automation and continuous improvement.

The platform’s cloud-native, API-first and modular design will allow the port to introduce new eServices with ease, with Phase 1 planned for launch in Q4 2025.

Supporting the Port of Fujairah’s sustainability goals, MarHub will be hosted in Microsoft Azure data centres based in the UAE, ensuring full data residency and regulatory compliance.

The deployment will use containerisation, automatic scaling and centralised logging to reduce infrastructure waste and promote sustainable IT practices.

Security is also a priority, with the system built to meet ISO 27001 standards and incorporating end-to-end encryption as well as multi-layered identity and access controls.

David Boast, general manager – UAE & KSA, Endava, said, “We are honoured to be chosen as the Port of Fujairah’s transformation partner and are excited to bring this ambitious vision to life. Large-scale digital transformations require careful execution to ensure operational continuity, and our expertise will enable a seamless transition, while continuously delivering powerful new features. I have no doubt that this project will serve as a benchmark for digital-led logistics in the region, setting new standards in efficiency and innovation.”

Electric cars to make up over 40% of global market by 2030

Electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to represent more than 40% of global car sales by 2030 as prices continue to fall and adoption expands across markets, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest Global EV Outlook.

The report highlights that, despite economic uncertainties, EV sales have maintained strong momentum worldwide, surpassing key milestones and reshaping the automotive industry.

Global electric car sales are on course to exceed 20 million in 2025, accounting for more than a quarter of all cars sold. In 2024, EV sales reached over 17 million, pushing their global market share above 20% for the first time, as previously forecasted by the IEA. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, sales rose 35% year-on-year, with major and emerging markets recording record-breaking performances.

China remains the global leader, with electric cars comprising nearly half of all new car sales in 2024. The country sold more than 11 million electric cars, equal to the worldwide total in 2022. Other fast-growing markets include Asia and Latin America, where sales surged over 60% in 2024.

In the United States, EV sales rose by around 10%, with battery-powered models making up over one in ten new cars. Meanwhile, Europe’s growth plateaued due to the phaseout of subsidies and support schemes, although the region’s EV market share remained stable at around 20%.

Affordability is key

“Our data shows that, despite significant uncertainties, electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally. Sales continue to set new records, with major implications for the international auto industry,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “This year, we expect more than one in four cars sold worldwide to be electric, with growth accelerating in many emerging economies. By the end of this decade, it is set to be more than two in five cars as EVs become increasingly affordable.”

According to the report, affordability remains a key driver of adoption. The global average price of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) declined in 2024 due to increased competition and falling battery costs. In China, two-thirds of EVs sold were cheaper than their petrol or diesel counterparts, even without subsidies. However, the price gap persists elsewhere, BEVs were on average 20% more expensive than conventional vehicles in Germany and 30% higher in the United States.

Operating costs, however, continue to favour EVs. Even if oil prices dropped to US$40 per barrel, charging an electric car at home in Europe would still cost about half as much as fuelling a petrol or diesel car, based on current energy prices.

The report notes that nearly one-fifth of electric cars sold globally are imported, with China exporting around 1.25 million units in 2024, many to emerging markets where these imports have driven down retail prices.

A special section of the report focuses on electric trucks, which saw global sales rise by 80% last year, reaching nearly 2% of total truck sales. This growth was led by China, where cost-competitive heavy-duty electric trucks are gaining traction thanks to lower lifetime operating costs, despite higher upfront prices.

Smart and sustainable mobility solutions were discussed at the event.

France’s top mobility innovators converged in the UAE for the UAE-France Rail & Mobility Days 2025, held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 23-24 April. The event, spearheaded by Business France, showcased cutting-edge French expertise in rail and sustainable transport, while deepening strategic cooperation with the UAE.

As the UAE ramps up investment in next-generation transport infrastructure, the event offered a platform for French companies to engage directly with Emirati stakeholders. Major developments include:

• A US$13.6bn share in the GCC-wide 2,117 km rail network.

• A high-speed rail line linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi, expected to be completed by 2030.

• Dubai Metro’s expansion, aiming to serve 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with construction underway and a total investment of US$4.9bn.

• Abu Dhabi’s US$6.8bn investment in 155 transport projects, targeting a doubling of public transport use by 2028.

• A national goal to reach 50% electric vehicle adoption by 2050.

In this context, Rail & Mobility Days 2025 was designed to match French innovation with the UAE’s ambitious infrastructure and sustainability goals.

High-level meetings and industry engagement

In Abu Dhabi, the French delegation was welcomed by H.E. Nicolas Niemtchinow, French Ambassador to the UAE, before engaging with key stakeholders such as Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, Abu Dhabi Mobility, and the Abu Dhabi Transport Company. Delegates also toured the Etihad Rail Al-Faya depot and attended the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit to explore opportunities in the EV space.

The Dubai leg of the programme featured opening remarks by H.E. Jean-Christophe Paris, followed by panel sessions with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), DEWA, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Al Naboodah Transport, and others. Discussions spanned metro and tram development, electric mobility, and the broader energy transition.

French capabilities on display

French companies demonstrated their leadership in transport innovation. Dassault Systèmes, the event’s gold sponsor, presented its advanced 3D design and virtual simulation tools for mobility planning. Other major players included VINCI Construction Grands Projets, specialists in large-scale infrastructure; and RATP Dev, experts in public transport operations.

SMEs also had a strong presence, including Apave, ATEIS, ATM Internationale, CBM Company, Codra, MPH Experts, OXYSIGN, MIPI, Manquillet Parizel, and Saarstahl Rail—each offering niche expertise in areas such as infrastructure safety, maintenance, digital engineering, signage, and railway metallurgy.

The initiative was organised by Business France, with support from Terracotta Manpower, reinforcing France’s long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s infrastructure evolution.

The 20 units are all IVECO T-Way tractors. (Image source: IVECO)

IVECO and EDRI, one of the official dealers in Libya, just started the delivery of 20 units IVECO T-Way, to Libya Oil company at their facility in Misurata

Libya’s Oil is a leading national energy company committed to harnessing the natural energy resources of the country in a responsible way, driving long-term progress and improving lives in Libya and beyond.

The 20 units are all IVECO T-Way tractors, model AT720T47TH 6x4 tractor head with Hi-Tronix 16 speeds robotised gearbox and will join the Libya Oil fleet for transport of petrol with the IVECO tractor head tank equipped.

Libya Oil, as part of Libya National Organisation Company, has consistently upheld its role as the guardian of Libya’s precious energy resources, weathered numerous challenges and disruptions, standing as a steadfast and trusted institution, dedicated to Libyan people and their prosperity.

EDRI is one of the oldest dealers in the African territory, more than 20 years of collaboration with IVECO, able to guarantee a very high level on sales and after-sales service for the final customer.

Elmahjoub Abdulatif, EDRI’s general manager, commented, "We are delighted to become a partner of Libya Oil, one of the biggest Oil Company in the country. This is a proud achievement for us, expanding our offer with robotised gearbox conquering an important customer. IVECO has a strong presence in Libya and we are together with them, since more than 20 years offering the maximum effort to improving the sales and the service in the territory and always guaranteeing the final customer the best service ever. We are committed to deliver the best aftersales support for all IVECO customers in Libya through our existing nationwide branch network.”

Roberto Fresia, IVECO business manager for Libya, added, “Hi-Tronix gearbox is a big innovation in our business in Libya. We are very proud to cooperate with Libya Oil, thanks to our strong partnership with our local dealer EDRI. We trust on our product and support the switch to the new gearbox Hi-Tronix 16 speeds in a market where the manual transmission represents 100% of the sales.”

IVECO T-Way: The most reliable and productive heavy-duty truck to face the toughest challenges

The IVECO T-Way builds on the heritage of robustness and reliability of the brand’s long lineage of champion off-roaders. It introduces state-of-the art technological solutions to exceed all expectations in productivity, payload capacity, safety and driver comfort.

The IVECO T-Way has been designed to offer best-in-class performance in every off-road mission, robustness and torsional rigidity. It carries over from its predecessors the legendary robustness of the high-resistance steel chassis with a 10mm thick frame, with a Rail Bending Moment at the top of the segment at 177 kNm. The front axle has a maximum capacity of up to 9 tons.

Hub reduction on the rear axle is standard to maximise strength and performance.

The new heavy-duty rear suspension system for Tandem axles optimises vehicle weight and improves off-road performance with greater ground clearance and a better departure angle.

The IVECO T-Way delivers all the power needed for traction and PTO with IVECO’s reliable and efficient Cursor 13 engine (13 litres) that develops up to 470 horsepower.

The engines are coupled with the proven 16-speed Hi-Tronix automated gearbox, which now also features new functions specifically intended for off-road mobility including a Hill Holder function to help departure on steep slopes, Rocking Mode to help recover traction in slippery conditions and Creep Mode for ultra-low speed when idling; for the on-road sections of the mission, the Ecoroll, function that uses the vehicle’s inertia when travelling downhill enhances the transmission’s efficiency.

Hi-Tronix represents the state-of-art in the automated transmission sector and delivers the perfect gearshift strategy for every application.