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Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
DP World and Einride will develop the largest electric, autonomous freight mobility operation in the region at Jebel Ali Port.
Dubai-based logistics company DP World has joined forces with Einride, a leader in freight mobility, to electrify container movements at Jebel Ali Port. The initiative will enhance efficiency and eco-friendliness at the world’s 10th busiest sea logistics hub. The groundbreaking plans include the largest deployment of electric, autonomous freight mobility across the Middle East, revolutionizing regional freight transportation.
The collaboration will begin in late 2024 and aims to ramp up swiftly to accommodate around 1,600 container movements daily. A fleet of 100 interconnected electric trucks will facilitate the expansion, overseen by Einride Saga, the company’s digital platform engineered to optimize electric and autonomous freight operations. A pilot for the autonomous vehicles is scheduled for rollout in 2025.
At full operational capacity, the venture will reduce carbon dioxide emissions annually by up to 14,600 tonnes and nitrogen oxides by 158 tonnes.
“DP World is committed to making trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, and our new partnership with Einride aligns perfectly with our vision,” explained Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC. “We have already made significant progress in electrifying and automating our terminals at Jebel Ali Port, and by leveraging Einride’s cutting-edge technology, we can take that to the next level,” he added.
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Robert Falck, CEO and Founder of Einride, added: “Our collaboration underscores a shared dedication to sustainability and innovation, merging Einride’s expertise in electrification and autonomous technology with DP World’s global logistics leadership […] This collaboration showcases the effectiveness of combining visionary ideals with decisive action, paving the way for a more resilient future”.
The partnership represents a cornerstone of Einride’s larger strategy with the UAE Government, helping to accelerate the transition to sustainable shipping practices. Einride’s ecosystem, featuring electric and autonomous vehicles, charging infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology, will be deployed extensively across the Falcon Rise grid, heralding a greener, more efficient freight-shipping future.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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