News

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.

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2024

Nour Nasir

plans underway for massive middle east autonomous freight network

Dubai Media Office

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.

dp world and einride partnership

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.

Also Read: Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

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.

News

Saudi EV Adoption Accelerates With BYD Expansion & Tesla Launch

Saudi Arabia’s EV market is gaining momentum as BYD plans major showroom growth and Tesla establishes a foothold in Riyadh.

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2025

Nour Nasir

saudi ev adoption accelerates with byd expansion and tesla launch

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a regional hub for electric mobility are drawing greater investment from global automakers. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is targeting 30% electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the capital, Riyadh, by the end of the decade — an objective that’s now shaping the strategic interests of international EV brands.

Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning a substantial thrust into the Saudi market, building on its current footprint of three showrooms. According to Jerome Saigot, BYD’s managing director in the Kingdom, the company aims to open 10 showrooms by the end of 2026.

“Saudi Arabia is a complex market. You need to go fast. You need to think big,” Saigot recently told reporters. “We are not here to stay at 5,000 or 10,000 cars a year”.

The announcement follows Tesla’s entry into the Saudi EV space, with the US automaker opening its first showroom in Riyadh in April. Tesla joins early players like BYD and Geely in what remains a nascent but strategically important segment for the Kingdom.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also ramped up its electric mobility agenda. Its efforts include major investments in Lucid Motors, the creation of local EV brand Ceer, and support for the rollout of national charging infrastructure.

Also Read: Twitch Launches Arabic Right-To-Left Interface For Web & Mobile

However, electric vehicles still only account for just over 1% of total car sales in Saudi Arabia, according to data from PwC cited by Bloomberg. Key challenges include high upfront costs, limited public charging access, and the added complexity of operating in extreme heat conditions.

In spite of those hurdles, Saigot views Tesla’s entry as a net positive. “The more Tesla communicates on marketing, the better it is for us,” he said. Saigot joined BYD in April, having previously held executive roles at Nissan and Great Wall Motor.

With multiple brands scaling up activity in parallel — and government-backed infrastructure investment underway — Saudi Arabia’s EV sector appears set for rapid acceleration over the next few years.