MIDDLE-MILE AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION OCTOBER 2025 • ISSUE 231 LODD and its CEO Rashid Al Manai are redefi ning delivery with new Hili cargo drone LOG_Oct2025_00_Cover_13726985.indd 110/10/2025 12:403www.logis tic smiddleeas t .comLOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST | OCTOBER 2025 The Saudi Edition Technology is moving faster than ever, and logistics is right in the middle of it. From drones to AI and data-driven operations, what once felt futuristic is now becoming the foundation of how we move goods and build resilience across the supply chain. Our cover story this month takes you inside LODD Autonomous, a UAE-born company that’s about to launch Hili, a hybrid-powered cargo drone designed and built entirely here. The project stands as a powerful example of how innovation is redefi ning the future of logistics. We also look back at Logistics Leaders Saudi 2025, where industry voices explored how technology, investment, and human capital are shaping the Kingdom’s logistics transformation. It’s always great to be in the Kingdom, and this year’s event was truly our biggest yet. Until next time! RYAN HARMON EDITOR, LOG ISTIC S M I DDLE E A ST Middle East ports move closer to a connected future Ericsson’s Todd Ashton outlines how private 5G and AI are reshaping operations and accelerating the region’s smart port transformation. PAGE 16 LODD and its CEO Rashid Al Manai are redefining delivery Founded in 2023, LODD Autonomous is redefining the way cargo flows between cities, industries, and even the most remote outposts. PAGE 30 Looking back at Logistics Leaders Saudi 2025 Industry leaders gathered in Riyadh to discuss strategy, innovation, and the future of supply chains under Vision 2030. PAGE 24 What luxury fashion teaches Middle East retail The Gulf’s booming retail sector must balance growth with precision, learning from global mistakes before they repeat them locally. PAGE 46 MUST READ THIS ISSUE EDITOR’S LETTER LOG_Oct2025_3_Editor Letter_13703198.indd 305/10/2025 23:074www.logis tic smiddleeas t .com CONTENTS OCTOBER 2025 | LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST OCTOBER 2025 EDITION 14 14 THE $500 BILLION BLIND SPOT Behind the headlines of smart warehouses and autonomous vehicles lies a quieter truth: technology is only as powerful as the leaders guiding it. And in supply chain leadership remains overwhelmingly male. 16 5G INNOVATION IN THE PORTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST Ericsson’s Todd Ashton outlines how private 5G and AI are reshaping operations and accelerating the region’s smart port transformation. 24 SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SAUDI ARABIA’S LOGISTICS LANDSCAPE Logistics Leaders Saudi 2025 brought together the Kingdom’s most infl uential voices in logistics and supply chain for a day of high-level conversation. 2416 LOG_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13703199.indd 408/10/2025 16:375www.logis tic smiddleeas t .com CONTENTS LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST | OCTOBER 2025 30 MIDDLE-MILE MAGICIAN Founded in 2023, LODD Autonomous is redefi ning the way cargo fl ows between cities, industries, and even the most remote outposts. At the centre of this exciting venture is CEO Rashid Al Manai. 36 THE RISE OF HYPERLOCAL LOGISTICS Hyperlocal, tech-enabled systems are replacing the traditional model of mass production and global shipping to transform what the future with look like. 46 THE INVENTORY DILEMMA A recent report highlights how even the most prestigious global brands are struggling with ballooning inventories, unsold stock, and the complexity of serving an increasingly unpredictable customer base. 30 3646 LOG_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13703199.indd 508/10/2025 16:386www.logis tic smiddleeas t .comOCTOBER 2025 | LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor Ryan Harmon Tel: + 971 4 444 3521 Email: Ryan.Harmon@itp.com Associate Editor Manuela Vergel Email: Manuela.Vergel@itp.com Project Editor Heather Cichowski ART Art Director Amjad Ayche Art Editor Tofiq Memon ADVERTISING Chief Commercial Offi cer Sally Whittam Tel: + 971 4 444 3348 Email: Sally.Whittam@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager Shrief Ali Tel: + 971 4 444 3589 Email: Shrief.Ali@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events Eleanor Ashton Email: Eleanor.Ashton@itp.com Events Manager : Beverly Stanforth Events Manager : Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Sales Events Executive Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga Email: Events@itp.com PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager Balasubramanian P Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6OCTOBER 2025 | LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST To fl ip through previous editions of Logistics Middle East magazine visit logisticsmiddleeast.com/emagazines/digital-magazine 6OCTOBER 2025 | LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST LOG_Oct2025_6_Flannel_13703200.indd 628/09/2025 23:11JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY, SCAN F OR PREMIUM ACCES S8www.logis tic smiddleeas t .comOCTOBER 2025 | LOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST NEWS Dubai’s industrial hub attracts major manufacturing projects worth AED 1 billion Among the new entrants this year are Danube Building Materials, LT Foods Middle East, and Trilogy Fab Trailers Manufacturing, adding momentum to a record-breaking 2024, when customer registrations nearly doubled year-on-year. DRIVING INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Offi cer, Parks and Zones, DP World GCC, highlighted the park’s strategic role in the UAE’s manufacturing push, “Nationwide value added in manufacturing is projected at AED 160 billion in 2025, with output rising steadily under supportive industrial agendas. NIP’s performance highlights Dubai’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing, and the strong fl ow of greenfi eld projects demonstrates investor confi dence in our ability to help businesses scale quickly, creating jobs and driving industrial growth.” Key demand drivers include construction, automotive, electronics, and food production, with businesses ramping up operations to meet Dubai’s expanding population needs and large-scale infrastructure projects. To sustain its growth, NIP is enhancing its customer fi rst approach through digital upgrades, a refreshed brand identity, and targeted regional outreach. Dubai’s industrial economy is entering a new phase of expansion as National Industries Park (NIP), part of DP World’s network of trade and logistics assets, confi rmed it has attracted more than AED 1 billion in fresh projects during 2025. The milestone underlines both the scale of private sector confi dence in Dubai’s manufacturing sector and the growing importance of industrial diversifi cation in the UAE’s broader economic agenda. Situated in Jebel Ali and strategically integrated with DP World’s global trade infrastructure, NIP has become a magnet for manufacturing and processing companies seeking proximity to world-class logistics and a rapidly expanding domestic market. The park’s growth refl ects the increasingly diversifi ed nature of Dubai’s industrial base, which continues to gain momentum in line with national targets for boosting non-oil GDP. TENANT BASE SURPASSES 400 Between January and September, NIP leased more than 7 million square feet of land, with the majority of allocations dedicated to greenfi eld projects that will expand local manufacturing capacity. This strong uptake has pushed the park’s tenant base past 400 companies, collectively supporting over 24,700 jobs. DP World’s National Industries Park has drawn over AED 1 billion in new projects this year, strengthening Dubai’s position as a global manufacturing hub LOG_Oct2025_8-11_News_13717702.indd 828/09/2025 23:129www.logis tic smiddleeas t .comLOGISTICS MIDDLE EAST | OCTOBER 2025 NEWS DHL and Henkel expand partnership with a major shift to sustainable marine fuel Ondrej Slezacek, Global Category Manager Sea and Air Freight, Henkel, stated, “Working with DHL Global Forwarding on sustainable transport solutions is an important part of our strategy to reduce emissions within our logistics processes. Simultaneously, it helps accelerate the overall transition to low-emission logistics in our industry.” SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FUEL MARKETS The majority of Henkel’s shipments under the agreement originate in Europe. For DHL Global Forwarding, the move refl ects rising demand among global manufacturers for sustainable logistics solutions. By committing to large-scale deployment of SMF, both companies are helping to strengthen the market for alternative fuels and address current supply constraints. DHL’s GoGreen Plus programme is designed to decarbonise freight transport by integrating sustainable fuels and low-carbon technologies. Through the book-and-claim approach, customers can reduce their Scope 3 emissions while enhancing progress toward corporate sustainability targets. With Henkel on board, DHL is positioning its GoGreen Plus initiative as a practical pathway for manufacturers to transition to greener logistics. D HL Global Forwarding and Henkel are deepening their collaboration on decarbonisation by transitioning the majority of Henkel’s ocean freight volumes to Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) under DHL’s GoGreen Plus programme. The move is expected to cut transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,493 metric tons of CO2e on a well-to-wake basis in 2025. The latest agreement builds on a pilot launched in 2024, when Henkel tested the use of SMF across selected freight shipments. In 2025, the two companies will scale up signifi cantly, covering around 9,000 TEUs of ocean freight. DHL Global Forwarding will allocate the resulting emissions reductions to Henkel using the book-and- claim mechanism, which allows companies to benefi t from sustainable fuel investments without requiring their cargo to move on vessels burning SMF physically. VERIFIED CARBON SAVINGS The shift to SMF will deliver an estimated 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on the main haul compared to conventional marine fuel. These savings will be verifi ed by the independent certifi cation body SGS, ensuring that the reductions meet industry standards and can be reported. The two companies are expanding their sustainability partnership with a large-scale use of waste and residue based maritime fuels “By combining Henkel’s ambitious climate strategy with our sustainable logistics solutions, we are demonstrating that progress toward decarbonising supply chains is possible today” LOG_Oct2025_8-11_News_13717702.indd 928/09/2025 23:12Next >