Since food trade grows across Asia, the Middle East and Africa (APMEA), logistics has become a deciding factor for exporters. For many African producers, Dubai works as a natural entry point because it makes movement, storage, and redistribution of goods easier and faster.  Dubai is well connected by sea and air, with ports and airports that handle large cargo volumes every day. From here, shipments can be broken down, stored, repacked if needed, and sent onward to multiple A

LODD Autonomous has received 200 orders for its unmanned aircraft, Hili, since it was introduced three months ago. The aircraft, designed and built in Abu Dhabi, can take off and land vertically like a helicopter using electric power, then switch to horizontal flight like a conventional plane with a traditional engine. Hili can carry up to 250 kg and fly up to 700 km, making it suitable for transporting goods quickly between warehouses and other facilities without the need fo

Iraq is set to build a large logistics station in the southern Muthanna governorate, with an estimated cost of $67 million. The “Hano Station” will cover 200 dunams (500,000 sqmt) on both sides of the international highway in the Uruk district and is expected to create at least 500 jobs.  The hub is designed to support trucks, commercial vehicles, and travellers while positioning Muthanna as a key logistics link in Middle East trade routes. It will serve as a central stop for

CargoCrew has launched its Middle East operations, setting up a regional headquarters in Dubai to serve high-growth cargo segments, including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, perishables, general cargo, project cargo, and express logistics. The move positions the company to leverage Dubai’s world-class aviation and logistics infrastructure, strong international connectivity, and business-friendly environment for scalable regional operations.  The company started UAE operations in

Air cargo demand from the Middle East has rebounded in early 2026 after the usual end-of-year slowdown. Data from the first full week of January shows a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in tonnage from Middle East & South Asia (MESA) origins, with Dubai leading the growth. Traffic from the region to the USA rose by 10 per cent, while volumes to Europe grew 16 per cent, driven largely by shipments from Dubai, India, and Bangladesh.  This rebound follows similar trends seen in

GFH Partners has completed a co-investment in Cold-Link Logistics, a large temperature-controlled logistics platform operating across the USA. The investment was made alongside Slate Asset Management and funds managed by Hamilton Lane. While the assets are based in the USA, the deal reflects GFH Partners’ broader logistics strategy, which includes a focus on supply chain links between North America and the Middle East.  Cold-Link owns and operates nine modern cold storage fac

Dubai Customs is playing a key role in supporting sustainable development and promoting Dubai as a global hub for business, tourism, and trade. By facilitating smooth and secure movement of legitimate goods, the department helps create a fast, safe, and practical environment that meets the needs of businesses and the public. At the same time, Dubai Customs protects society by preventing the smuggling of prohibited substances and safeguarding the community.  The recent ACA 202

General Motors has announced new leadership appointments aimed at strengthening its business across Africa and the Middle East, with a strong focus on the region’s growing importance to the company’s plans.  From 1 March, Azam Akhtar will take over as Chief Financial Officer for GM Africa and Middle East. He succeeds Chad Wellman, who is moving to a global role overseeing finance for purchasing, supply chain, planning, and logistics. Akhtar brings more than 10 years of experi

Oman is strengthening its pharmaceutical sector with a new investment in Khazaen Economic City’s Pharma Cluster. Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Devices Corporation (GPIMC) will build a fully integrated human pharmaceutical manufacturing plant on a 10,000 square metre site, investing RO 15 million in Phase 1 of the project.  The plant will produce a wide range of medicines, including tablets, capsules, syrups, injectables, creams, and topical ointments. It will als

Dubai could soon see electric air taxis becoming part of its skyline and its evolving mobility and logistics network. Japan-based eVTOL maker SkyDrive has reached an agreement with AeroGulf Services on the potential purchase of 20 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with deliveries planned from 2028.  The agreement covers key commercial elements such as pricing and delivery timelines. Under the plan, 10 aircraft are expected in 2028, followed by another 10 in 202

Aramex has appointed Abbas Panju as Senior Vice President for the GCC and India, marking a key leadership move as the company looks to strengthen its position in two fast-growing regions.  Panju brings nearly 20 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management, having worked across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over the years, he has led teams through complex market conditions, including economic shifts and geopolitical challenges. His background includes buil

CEVA Logistics has opened a new eCommerce warehouse in Dubai South Free Zone, strengthening its logistics footprint across the GCC. The 23,000 square metre facility is designed to support large-scale operations while keeping sustainability in focus.  The new hub is built for high-volume eCommerce demand. With a ceiling height of 20 metres, the warehouse can handle efficient vertical storage and faster order processing. CEVA says the site already has the capacity to process mo

Solico Group has opened its new SoFood production facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), investing AED 130 million (US$ 35.4 million) to strengthen food supply chains across the UAE and GCC, said Gholamali Soleimani, Founder and Group Chairman, Solico Group. The 5,000 sqm plant combines advanced manufacturing with direct access to key logistics corridors, ports, and transport networks, enabling faster, more reliable distribution of fresh food to local markets and exports ac

SolitAir is strengthening cargo connectivity from Bangladesh with scheduled freighter services that offer forwarders predictable and reliable uplift every week. The airline operates program-based cargo flights from Dhaka to Dubai World Central (DWC) and Hong Kong, removing the uncertainty often linked to last-minute bookings.  All services are operated using the Boeing 737-800F, an aircraft well suited for regional cargo operations. Each flight offers a payload capacity of up

Gulfood 2026 has launched a new section, Gulfood Logistics, highlighting the growing role of transport, cold chain, and freight networks in the global food economy. The move comes as supply chains face rising pressure from trade growth, climate risks, and tighter delivery timelines.  The global logistics and transportation market is expected to expand from US$ 9.4 trillion in 2024 to US$ 23 trillion by 2035, underlining why food producers and traders are paying closer attenti

Oman’s logistics sector saw strong growth in 2025, supported by rising investment, expanding cargo volumes, and upgraded transport infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. Total investment in logistics reached RO 3.4 billion by the end of 2025, strengthening supply chain efficiency across the country.  General cargo volumes rose from 115.7 million tonnes in 2024 to over 143 million tonnes in 2025, while land transport

Petrochem Middle East has opened its largest terminal and headquarters in Jebel Ali, boosting the company’s logistics and chemical distribution capabilities in the region, said His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World. The AED 300 million facility brings together operational and corporate functions under one roof, designed to streamline storage, handling, and supply chain operations.  “Petrochem’s decision to expand operations in Dubai reflect

Middle East air cargo continued to outperform the global market in the last year, supported by steady demand for e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and electronics, according to data collated by DHL Global Forwarding. While global air cargo demand rose about 4 per cent year-on-year through November, Middle East and Africa (MEA) lanes recorded stronger growth, driven by the region’s role as a major transshipment hub.  Traffic through key Gulf hubs increased as shippers

DP World has started construction of a new freight corridor and multimodal logistics park in Pakistan, a project expected to improve cargo movement between the Middle East and South Asia. The project, located at Pipri near Karachi, is being developed with Pakistan Railways and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC).  The new corridor will shift container movement from road to rail, helping cargo move faster and more efficiently from Karachi’s ports to inland markets. This i

Harkat Company has opened a new warehouse in Baghdad, expanding its storage and distribution capacity to support automotive and industrial supply chains linking Iraq with the wider Middle East. The facility is aimed at speeding up spare parts movement, improving last-mile delivery and meeting rising demand from transport, construction and heavy equipment sectors across central and southern Iraq.  The new site increases inventory capacity and operational efficiency, allowing f