Truck & Fleet September 2014

cleaner future SPecIal YOUR ULSD LOW-DOWN

008 SEPTEMBER 2014

MIDDLE EAST

SCANIA EmERGING VW TIE-UP BOOST

mean green Top speed – 236.7km/h

SAUDI TRAINING ALJ’S NEW OPERATORS

MEAN strEAk A record-breAker leAding the chArge of hybrid And electric vehicles

02 CONTENTS

A SUPPLEMENT OF CMME

MIDDLE EAST

GROUP CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA GROUP CEO NADEEM HOOD

08

GROUP COO GINA O’HARA PUBLISHING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5483 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5472 EDITORIAL GROUP EDITOR STEPHEN WHITE stephen.white@cpimediagroup.com +971 55 795 8740

DRIVING EFFICIENCY 12

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR STIAN OVERDAHL stian.overdahl@cpidubai.com

Money and a lack of alternatives to traditional fuel infrastructure are excuses that fleet operators have been able to use for some time when it comes to reviewing their green options in the region. For the most part, they are entirely valid reasons. Or at least they were until the UAE recently announced that it was going to start pouring ultra-low sulphur diesel into fuel tanks.

It’s a first step to a greener future in the region. The UAE’s neighbouring countries analysts in this issue predicting that it will be in

02 / EV AND HYBRIDS The vehicles leading the charge.

ready supply by the end of the decade.

The lower sulphur content fuel is a potential game changer for so many reasons beyond

08 / CLEAN DIESEL Truck & Fleet ME looks at how the region will be ULSD-ready by the end of the decade.

improvements. It also allows for the region to keep pace with the vehicle market. Millions have been invested into trucks that are currently out of reach in the Middle East to ensure that they are not only low emitters but also fuel

HIGH ROLLERS

12 / WE’RE READY Truck & Fleet ME talks to Mercedes to find out why it is prepared for fuel changes in the region.

efficient and safer. Electric and hybrid vehicles also represent the future, now. While looking at what goes inside a tank, this issue also reviews the many types that are currently at the leading edge. With the right support network and

NETWORK

14 / MAILING MACHINERY DHL’s operation to ship heavy equipment to Ghana is a success.

SALES EXECUTIVE BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY

MARKETING MANAGER LISA JUSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 MARKETING ASSISTANT BARBARA PANKASZ barbara.pankasz@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5499 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION

the immediately obvious gains in emission

FUEL

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR MICHAEL STANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497

MARKETING

are looking at the potential for it and we have

ROUND-UP

ADVERTISING

infrastructure they can play a full role in many fleets here. We’re being presented with an opportunity to clean up our act. Let’s make sure we take it. Finally, last month’s Tata Xenon review

CIRCULATION AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ROCHELLE ALMEIDA rochelle.almeida@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 368 1670 DATABASE AND CIRCULATION MANAGER RAJEESH M rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9147 PRODUCTION MANAGER JAMES P THARIAN james.tharian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9146 PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 DIGITAL DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER TRISTAN TROY MAAGMA PUBLISHED BY

stated the HP as 85hp but it is in fact 140hp for the

TRAINING

18 / LEAVING A LEGACY

DiCOR variant (and 131hp for the petrol).

Registered at IMPZ PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE

ALJ’s forklift operator training in Saudi Arabia points to a brighter future for young people.

Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com PRINTED BY

WASTE MANAGEMENT

2O / TO BE GREEN BEE’AH’s boat and vehicle fleet help to clean up the emirate of Sharjah.

Printwell Printing Press LLC © Copyright 2014 CPI. All rights reserved

STEPHEN WHITE GROUP EDITOR

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1

GREEn RoUnd-Up

Mean Green has broken the world record speeds of: Flying kilometer –236.577 km/h Standing kilometer – 153.252 km/h

Feeling electric ElEctric and hybrid EnginE tEchnology has comE a long way in a short amount of timE and is now at a point whErE it is availablE in largEr vEhiclE typEs such as trucks, busEs and suvs. with thE numbEr of ElEctric and hybrid vEhiclEs in thE markEt, chargE station trials and thE companiEs sElling fully ElEctric busEs in thE uaE, t&fmE rEviEws thE bEst of thE bEst

Mean green - The world’s FasTesT and greenesT Truck Mean Green, the Volvo hybrid established new world speed records at Utah’s historic Wendover Airfield in April 2012, eclipsing its previous marks in standing kilometer (two-thirds mile) and flying kilometer.

Boije Ovebrink, Mean Green’s driver and owner said the challenge was complicated by Wendover’s altitude of 1,280m above sea level. To compensate 2 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2014

for the thinner air and help prevent overheating, the truck’s power was reduced by nearly 20%. Even with the reduction in total output potential, Mean Green had ample power to surpass the previous records.

Mean Green eclipsed its previous records – 218.780 km/h (135.943 mph) in the flying kilometer and 152.253 km/h (94.605 mph) in the standing kilometer – established

June 2011 at the Hultsfred Airport in Sweden.

Though Mean Green’s modified aerodynamic body design bears little resemblance to a freighthauling tractor, the finely tuned speed machine is comprised almost entirely of production components from Volvo family vehicles, including a North American Volvo VN cab and frame. Mean Green features a

highly tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox, which interacts with the hybrid’s electric motor.

The combination of an electric motor and Volvo D16 diesel engine delivers 1,565 kW and nearly 6,778Nm torque – of which, 150 kW and 1,200Nm of brute torque come from the electric motor.

Green round-up

heavy hybrid - Man Tgl Unveiled in 2010, the MAN TGL 12.220 Hybrid is a 220-hp four-cylinder common-rail EEV-compliant diesel engine that delivers its output to a hybrid gearbox. Also integrated in the drive train is a 60 kW electric motor as a starter generator. A clutch separates the electric motor and the gearbox from the combustion engine to allow electricallypowered driving. The electric motor also serves as a generator, the braking energy being stored by a compact lithium-ion battery. The overall system consists of an automated six-speed gearbox, an electric motor and a highvoltage battery. It performs all the functions of a full-hybrid system: stop/start, recuperation of braking energy, support when accelerating (boosting)

and electrically-powered driving. The intelligence of the system is seated in MAN’s hybrid energy management, controlling the energy flow between diesel engine, electric motor, energy storage, driving axle and auxiliary units.

Energy management optimises the torque split between the diesel engine and the electric motor. Apart from that, power on demand is ensured for operation of the auxiliary units. MAN Nutzfahrzeuge sees its core competence in hybrid drives in the field of advanced energy management development. As is the case in the MAN Lion’s City Hybrid, it is energy management that ensures the reliable operation of the vehicle and guarantees that the system achieves its maximum efficiency.

The luxurious opTion – Tesla s Tesla introduced the Tesla Model S, a full-sized electric five-door, luxury liftback in June 2012. The company claims it has achieved rapidly growing sales, particularly in Norway and California. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the Model S Performance model equipped with an 85 kW·h battery pack is 426 km, topping the Tesla Roadster to lead the electric car market. EPA rates its energy consumption at 237.5 W.h per kilometer (38 kW/h) for a combined fuel economy of 89 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.64 L/100 km).

Global cumulative sales of the Model S passed the 25,000 unit mark in December 2013. The Model S became the first electric car to top the monthly new car sales ranking in any country, twice leading in Norway, in September and again in December 2013. The Tesla Model S racked up awards such as the 2013 World Green Car of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine’s 2013 Car of the Year, Time Magazine Best 25 Inventions of the Year 2012 award and Consumer Reports’ top-scoring car ever.

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 3

Green round-up

a leaF ouT oF The green book – nissan leaF The Nissan Leaf has been mooted as an entrant into the Middle East and specifically the UAE since the turn of the decade. Whether or not it becomes a mainstay on the roads remains to be seen but the smart city ambitions of the Emirates plus the number of large resorts and attractions should at least give it a potential customer base. The latest models boast a distance of 190km or more (in ideal conditions from a full charge). The weight has been dropped to by over 30kg after modifications to the drivetrain.

The torque has been switched up

with new mapping there is now an extra driving mode ‘B’ for drivers.

According to Nissan, the B mode increases the force of engine braking which it claims close to the effect of driving in a low gear inside a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. The net benefit is an improvement to the amount of energy recovered during the process. Models at the top end come with heated seats in both the front and back, leather upholstery, climate control, an extensive in-car systems readout and sat-nav.

FroM The volT – chevroleT’s volT

Staying connected The New Flyer Connect telematics system can enable you to achieve maintenance cost savings of up to 26% on average

The FrequenT Flyer – new Flyer xcelsior Since its introduction in 2008, New Flyer has have built or has on order more than 4,400 of it Xcelsior buses – in 10m, 12m and 18m lengths and with a variety of propulsion systems, and 100% of its production time building heavy-duty buses is now spent on building Xcelsior buses.

This shift has led to a ramping up of development. Xcelsior has shown an improvement in fuel economy of up to 10%. This is a direct result of the reduced vehicle weight: Xcelsior weighs 10% less than other comparable buses and also had the lowest curb weight at Altoona among similar buses.

In addition, with the implementation of the New Flyer Connect telematics

solution, additional fuel savings of up to 11% on average can be achieved by continuously improving driver performance, fostering efficient driving skills, monitoring of subcomponents performance and control of idle times. Transitioning to disc brakes saves approximately $13,000 over the life of the bus, claims New Flyer as disc brakes are easier and less expensive to maintain and service. New Flyer anticipates tyres on Xcelsior buses to last longer due to the reduction in weight and better weight distribution. A 5% reduction in weight can result in a 2% increase in tire mileage which means fewer operating dollars spent on replacement.

4 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

The Volt first debuted as a concept in 2007, and has gone on to become the most popular electric vehicle in the United States. Manufactured

by General Motors, the company explains that the Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its plug-in battery capacity drops to a predetermined threshold from full charge. From there its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle’s range as needed. When the engine is running it may be

periodically mechanically linked (by a clutch) to a planetary gear set, and hence the output drive axle, to improve energy efficiency. The Volt’s regenerative braking also contributes to the on-board electricity generation. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the 2013/14 model year Volt all-electric range is 38 mi (61 km), with a combined electric mode/gasoline-only rating of 62 mpg-US (3.8 L/100 km; 74 mpg-imp) equivalent (MPG-equivalent).

Green round-up

an original elecTric suv – rav4 ev

on sale now – renaulT Twizy Test drives of the Renault Twizy, the French manufacturer’s 100% electric and emissions car, have started to be offered in the UAE to coincide with its official launch.

The vehicle looks like the perfect runaround for community and closed circuit developments.

The Twizy is a tandem seated vehicle that looks it has been sucked off the concept drawing board and onto the road. Classified as a quadricycle the Twizy is an ultra-compact runaround. Its overall length is 2.32m, a width of 1.19m and a height of 1.46m.

Toyota first developed an electric version of the RAV4 back in 1997. Only 1,500 vehicles were produced at the time and they were soon forgotten. The RAV4 re-emerged in 2012 and currently available as the 114kW/h EV model. The original RAV4 EV could complete a 0-60-mph dash in just under 20 seconds, but advancements to the technology means that it is now able to cover the speed in 7.2 seconds (according to Edmunds.com tests).

The RAV4 EV has got stamina too and is able to keep going for almost 140km with recharges taking a manageable not-quiteovernight time of six hours.

The vehicle’s frame and body offer occupants extra protection with its deformable structure, while the outboard position of the four wheels and the lateral beams located either side of the chassis provide protection in case of a sideon impact. The safety retention systems include a driver’s airbag, a four-point safety belt at the front and a three-point one at the rear.

The 6kWh lithium-ion battery can go 100km before charging so this is a short hop vehicle, and the topend Cargo 80 model boasts a top speed of 80km/h.

The second generation RAV4 EV combines a Tesla-designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s SUV model. The electric motor supplied by Tesla is an AC induction motor, a departure from Toyota’s practice of using synchronous permanent-magnet motors in their hybrid electric vehicles. A fixed-gear opendifferential transaxle has a gear ratio of 9.73 and the RAV4 EV weighs 1,830 kg, 10% more than its traditional engine counterpart.

ONE OF THE FIRST The first fleet version of the RAV4 EV became available on a limited basis in 1997.

In 2001 it was possible for businesses, cities or utilities to lease one or two of these cars.

MaxiMuM appeal – Ford’s c-Max The Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX are designed to help you get the most out of family life. Whether you call them a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), people carrier or sport activity vehicle (SAV), the ultra-flexible interior of both versions makes for an impressively comfortable and accommodating experience. The 5-seat C-MAX includes seating you can change with one hand as well as lots of stowage space. The 7-seat Grand C-MAX offers maximum versatility 6 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

and a handy walk-through for easy access to the rear seats. The C-MAX and Grand C-MAX also offer lots of technologies to help you with virtually every aspect of driving. For example, Active Park Assist practically parks the car for you while on the road, PowerShift, EcoBoost and the enhanced suspension provide more power, a smoother ride and use less fuel.

A solar-powered version, the C-Max Solar Energi is currently underway.

Next decade’s Corolla, perhaps?

Daily: 11:00 - 19:00

CLEAN DIESEL

O

n 1 of July the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) announced that all the service stations in the ENOC/EPPCO network are now providing ultra low sulphur ‘Green Diesel,’ making the United Arab Emirates the first GCC state to introduce ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

It follows a decree from the UAE Federal Cabinet last year that UAE should use diesel with only 10 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, rather than diesel with 50 or 500 ppm sulphur that is in use in the rest of the GCC. The Green Diesel corresponds with a Euro 5 standard, and the decree from the Federal Cabinet was aimed at promoting the UAE’s environmental sustainability by limiting pollution.

“Diesel is graded by its sulphur content as a general rule as removing it implies a reduction in particulate matters and pollutants.

Therefore, using 10ppm diesel leads to lower

emissions, and cleaner air quality,” said Saeed Khoory, chief executive officer of ENOC. “The Federal Government has made it mandatory that the environment-friendly Green Diesel is used by motorists, in turn contributing to a greener and cleaner environment. ENOC will continue to be at the forefront in promoting the use of Green Diesel as part of our corporate social responsibility.”

“As one of the first providers of ultralow-sulphur diesel in the UAE, we will work with all concerned stakeholders – including government departments and motorists – to further promote its usage.”

It’s a significant development, not only from the perspective of cleaner air, but also because in the future it could allow machinery and vehicle manufacturers to import the newer, more efficient engines in use in developed markets including Europe, North America, Japan, Singapore and Australia. In those markets, the introduction of cleaner diesel was matched with

the introduction of cleaner burning engines from vehicle and construction machinery manufacturers, required by legislation to meet emission targets, in order to improve the general environment and levels of public health.

In the Middle East, passenger vehicles are typically sold with a petrol engine, while for applications that require diesel, such as heavy vehicles and machinery, they are supplied as Tier 2/3 or Euro 2/3. Engines will have extra fuel filters, may lack after-exhaust treatments, and may not have the high pressure fuel injection systems which are so fuel efficient.

Could we now see vehicles with cleanerburning engines imported into the UAE? In the short-term it seems unlikely, since from an distributor’s perspective, it’s unlikely to make good business sense to import a vehicle or machine that can only be sold into the UAE and not into the other GCC markets, and manufacturers may not have a model variant with the correct specifications on order.

UAE taking a lead on diesel

The UAE prides itself as the leading nation in the GCC when it comes to health and safety and the environment. Now it has become the first GCC nation to introduce cleaner burning Euro 5 diesel fuel.

But when will the other countries follow suit?

International Editor Stian Overdahl investigates 8 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

CLEAN DIESEL

And with the new engines, there’s also a danger that the incorrect fuel could be used.

There’s every possibility that a customer in the UAE could purchase diesel wholesale that had higher sulphur content, or – in the case of on-road vehicles – drive to a neighbouring state, and even machinery crosses borders.

It’s more likely that distributors will change the make up of the fleets they import once fuel qualities are aligned in all the GCC nations.

To find out by when that is likely to take place, T&FME spoke with researchers at Hart Energy Research & Consulting, international

specialists in fuel quality and the firm behind the International Fuel Quality Centre (IFQC).

The IFQC provides annual rankings of countries based on the cleanliness of their diesel fuel.

Adopting low sulphur diesel for a country’s market isn’t as simple as ticking a box on an order form, quite literally it requires massive investment in fuel refinery upgrades, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.

In short, a country’s ability to adopt ULSD isn’t about – in the short term – political will or consumer demand, but the ability of the petroleum refineries to produce it.

Hart Energy’s predictions are that all the other GCC nations will follow the UAE’s step, but it will take some time.

Saudi Arabia is expected to adopt ULSD in the Kingdom by 2016 under its clean fuels roadmap, but it’s expected full implementation will be more likely in the 2017-2018 timeframe.

Bahrain is expected

to follow suit within a similar timeframe, at least by the end of the current decade, given how linked the fuel markets are between the two countries, not least the landbridge.

The timings of the introduction of ULSD in Oman, Kuwait and Qatar are dependent on refinery projects that are now underway. Oman’s and Qatar’s refinery projects are expected to be completed by 2016; Kuwait’s, 2018-2019.

According to researchers at Hart Energy, delayed progress of introduction of ULSD (many Gulf states previously had more ambitious timelines) is usually attributed to approval and commissioning of refinery upgrading projects.

The timeline of refinery upgrades has largely been determined by the need to supply ULSD to international markets, particularly Europe.

“While public health and the environment is a concern in the GCC, the move to implement ULSD is mainly driven by their export market demand and not domestic demand.

“As of now, there is not enough ULSD

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 9

CLEAN DIESEL

capacity to supply domestic demand if the Middle East as a region switched its onroad transport completely to ULSD. “Most of the countries are working on it, but we do not expect significant increase in ULSD production - and thus market penetration - before 2018-2020. While the timeline for the requirements for ULSD on the local markets has been planned with refinery upgrades in mind, the actual market switch will follow only when refinery upgrades are finished.”

In Europe, improving the fuel efficiency of diesel vehicles and engines has been a

major research focus for the vehicle industry over the past 20 years, coupled there with tax breaks for diesel vehicles. Major technical improvements in fuel systems, including common rail diesel, means that diesel is commonly used for passenger vehicles in Europe, rather than mainly for heavy vehicles and machinery, as is the case in the Middle East.

But the high pressure fuel injection systems are sensitive to the presence of contaminants in the fuel, including sulphur as well as dirt, while the exhaust aftertreatments used to reduce emissions are chemically damaged

“as of now, there is not enough ulsd capacity to supply domestic demand if the middle east switched its on-road transport to ulsd. But we do not expect significant increase Before 2018-2020.”

10 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

timeline 2014

In July, the UAE introduced Euro 5 diesel through-out the ENOC network, following Federal Cabinet Decree

2016

ULSD may be available in Saudi Arabia under its clean fuels roadmap. Oman and Qatar are expected to complete refinery upgrades, producing ULSD for their respective local markets

2017-18

Saudi Arabia likely to fully implement ULSD. Bahrain likely to follow suit due to links between the two markets

2018-19

Kuwait refinery upgrade expected to be complete, allowing introduction of ULSD

2019

By early 2019 all markets in the GCC are expected to have introduced ULSD

Source: Information supplied to CMME by Hart Energy Research & Consulting

CLEAN DIESEL

by higher than 15 ppm sulfur in the fuel.

Whether buyers in the Middle East will want to buy diesel passenger vehicles remains to be seen, but Hart Energy’s researchers predict that even when ULSD is available in the region, dieselisation of the passenger fleet is not expected to happen at a significant scale.

“Most refiners will produce as much as gasoline possible to supply domestic market and produce large quantities of ULSD to supply the whole domestic demand and have significant volumes for exports, mainly to Europe. The price for ULSD obtained on international markets will then help keep domestic gasoline prices subsidised.”

With a timeline for introduction of ULSD in the GCC, the next move will be the manufacturers’. When all the markets in the region have introduced cleaner diesel, the option will be there to introduce the cleaner engines. Nevertheless, introducing a new model requires a signficant investment in development and field testing – will manufacturers want to take this step?

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 11

HIGH ROLLERS

Built for the conditions

HigH sulpHur is no problem for tHe engines in mercedes-benz’s Heavy veHicles, says Jacek trzos, tecHnical services manager at daimler middle east & levant 12 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

HIGH ROLLERS

T&FME: Speaking of diesel, here in the Middle East the levels of sulphur vary and can be high. Is this a ‘problem’ for engines?

JaCEK TRzOS: High sulphur values can cause damage to different engine components like the fuel injection, or exhaust system or even components within the combustion chamber.

Mercedes-Benz offers engines which are especially tailored to withstand the harsh conditions in the Middle East, and therefore high sulphur values do not represent an issue for our range of vehicles.

There can also be other contaminants in the diesel – dust or water – is this a problem for engines? Is the presence of these contaminants likely to be caused by the fuel storage conditions?

Dust and condensed water are certainly a challenge in this region; however our vehicles are equipped with specific fuel filters to separate water and other particles from the fuel to overcome this challenge.

Whether the storage of fuel causes certain contaminations cannot be generalized as such.

What are some measures that are necessary to deal with the diesel in the Middle East for the engine?

Some measures are for example specific fuel filters, referring to a main fuel filter and a heated pre filter with water separator in addition. The increased performance of the engine cooling system and more frequent and regionally adjusted service intervals can also benefit.

With vehicles expected to remain in service for many years or decades, what are the best measures for customers to ensure long life from their engine or drivetrain?

Mercedes-Benz endorses the regular maintenance according to the manufacturer’s standard recommendations and usage of original spare parts along with recommended oils and fluids.

Furthermore, driver trainings offered by MercedesBenz and the use of our FleetBoard telematics system can certainly optimize the engine life.

Since many trucks that Mercedes-Benz produces cannot be sold in the Middle East, does this impact on the range of models you sell here? Are you confident that you have a full range of models to service the market?

As the biggest truck manufacturer worldwide, Daimler offers an extensive range of trucks in various regions in the world. Each truck

“AvAilAbility of low sulphur diesel is A prerequisite for euro 5/6 vehicles” is produced to fit the specific needs of the region, which for the Middle East stands for the current range on offer. We have been in the region for more than 50 years, serving our customers with the best possible vehicle solutions while constantly expanding our network and dealership operations.

Furthermore our range does not only consist of the vehicles itself, but also includes important service solutions like, maintenance packages, service contracts and extended warranties.

ENOC is now selling Euro 5 diesel, and it is expected that other countries in the GCC will follow suit (eventually). Do you envisage in the future being able to import Euro 5 or 6 vehicles in the Middle East? Would there be any environmental conditions that would prohibit this or is only the presence of sulphur in the diesel?

The availability of high quality, low sulphur diesel is the prerequisite for the introduction of Euro 5/6 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is proud to say that no matter how harsh the environmental conditions, we have the solution to get the customer’s job done. Our trucks are equipped to withstand conditions from polar ice to the heat of the desert.

If ULSD was readily available in the Middle East, and vehicle importers were selling Euro 5/6 engines, do you think that customers would still have to be heavily educated on the new engines? After all, many are buying fuel in bulk, and there would be a chance for the fuel to be contaminated in their own storage tanks.

It comes without saying that the introduction of new vehicles/ engines would always be accompanied by appropriately creating awareness of all features and benefits.

Mercedes-Benz is determined to provide our customers with the best service in terms of vehicle handover and driver training.

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 13

NETWORK

NETWORK 09 14

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S TRUCK AND FLEET OPERATOR NETWORK

DHL sHips construction macHinery to GHana for German contractor The Middle East contributes 7.8% of DHL’s global orders

DHL Global Forwarding has successfully run a big part of a major ocean freight project, from Germany to Ghana, for the family-owned construction company GP Günter Papenburg AG, Germany.

125 pieces of machinery and equipment, including 15 bulldozers, 20 loaders, 10 excavators, 60 motor graders, and 20 tippers plus various spare parts were already delivered from Nordhausen to Ghana.

During a period of three months five partial deliveries with a total of 1,596 tons were moved.

80 more construction machines are to be shipped out of Hamburg in the last quarter of this year.

“The planning, controlling and coordinating of complex large projects require a highly competent consulting and professional expertise as well as considerable practical experience.

“We are happy that the company GP Günter Papenburg AG entrusts us with this assignment.

This confirms our professional competence concerning complex transportation processes around the globe”, confirms Volker Oesau, CEO Middle Europe, DHL Global Forwarding.

The contract between Papenburg and DHL includes the entire project management, the handling of the unpacked construction machines and equipment in the port of Hamburg, the maritime transportation by RoRo vessels, as well as the insurance of the precious goods. Once arrived at the African seaport Tema the Ghanaian Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development takes care about the further distribution.

The Ghana government provides the individual district administrations with construction machinery and equipment. Giving the local administrations direct access to such equipment enables sustainable growth and development.

The main goal is infrastructural development, through the restoration and maintenance of streets, feeders and long-distance roads. Before operating the equipment, Papenburg staff trains the drivers on the spot and ensures the optimal usage of the machinery. In addition, the German company trains a local team in Ghana, which will independently carry out the maintenance and repairs of the construction equipment in the near future.

VW TIE-Up bOOST fOR ScANIA Scania says it is reaping the rewards of fully joining Volkswagen Group (VW), with improved purchasing power for the brand, and therefore lower manufacturing costs. In recent years there has been consolidation within the truck industry, as the remaining titans, in the market, notably Daimler, Volvo and VW, leverage their size to reduce purchasing costs, spread out their R&D spend over more units, and standardise some components.

In March, VW Group gained control of more than 90% of Scania, allowing it to delist the Swedish truck and take full control of the brand. It was seen as controversial by some in the market since VW is the manufacturer of MAN SE, whose heavy vehicles are competitive with Scania. According to Scania, with a stable long-term ownership situation, it can now expand cooperation projects with Volkswagen and MAN in order to support its growth strategy up to 2020. Purchasing is one of the areas where the collaboration has progressed the furthest.

Scania’s head of purchasing, Andrea Fuder has worked to introduce a more global approach in Scania’s purchasing organisation, especially as the brand has increased its sales in emerging markets.

Scania is expanding its development

DisTiNCTivE FLAvOR, OWNER OF CANADA’s hANDCRAFTED bURgERs FRANChisE big smOKE bURgERs iN sAUDi ARAbiA, hAs TURNED TO PREsTigE FOOD TRUCKs FOR iTs TRUCKs. 14 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

NETWORK

UKRAiNE CONFLiCT hiTs mAN TRUCK & bUs sALEs iN RUssiA German truck maker MAN SE has revealed that orders for its commercial vehicles fell by a quarter in Russia between April and June following the crisis in Ukraine. Demand from Russian customers tumbled between 20% and 25% in the second quarte. Sanctions against Europe’s largest country

UAE TAKEs LEAD ON DiEsEL

and the devaluation of its currency are a smaller

The UAE has become the first GCC state to

concern, said CEO Georg Pachta-Reyhofen.

introduce ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), after the Emirates National Oil Company

AL hAbTOOR OPENs hUgE shOWROOm iN AD Al Habtoor Motors has unveiled its first multibrand passenger and commercial vehicle showroom facility with separate Mitsubishi and CarZone showrooms in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi.

The three storey complex spans a total area of 13,933sqm and is one of the largest automobile showrooms in the Middle East region.

“We are at the threshold of aggressive expansion to meet the growing demands of the customers in the UAE,” said Joe Rogan, sales

director, Al Habtoor Motors. “Mussafah with its exponential growth both as an industrial as well as a residential city has increased the demand for quality commercial and passenger vehicles. We felt the immediate need for a truly world class vehicle experience. This facility is the beginning of a new relationship with our customers here in Mussafah.”

The complex features a Mitsubishi commercial vehicles showroom on the top floor.

(ENOC) announced that all service stations in the ENOC/EPPCO network are now providing the ultra-low sulphur ‘Green Diesel.’

It follows a decree from the UAE Federal Cabinet that UAE should use diesel with only 10 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, rather than diesel with 50 or 500 ppm sulphur that is in use in the rest of the GCC. The Green Diesel corresponds with a Euro 5 standard, and the decree from the Federal Cabinet was aimed at promoting the UAE’s environmental sustainability by limiting pollution.

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Training

The operator training centre was officially opened

by Hassan Mohammed Jamil, Vice President of Abdul Latif Jameel Company in the summer.

A forked road ahead T&FME Talks To alJ’s YousEF shaYa ali al QahTani, indusTrial EQuipMEnT division – ForkliFT abouT whY now is ThE righT TiME For iTs Training cEnTrE 16 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

Training

JApAn’s choice in ksA The automotive side of ALJ has three giant names from the Japanese car industry: Toyota, Lexus and its oldest manufacturer Daihatsu. Meanwhile the heavy equipment side has the world’s second largest manufacturer on-board, Komatsu.

So it is unsurprising that ALJ is also the exclusive distributor of Toyota Industrial Equipment in Saudi Arabia, consisting of engine/electric forklifts, engine/electric towing-tractors, electric tuggers, skid-steer loaders and hand-pallet trucks.

ALJ also sells warehouse equipment, traction batteries and special purpose forklift attachments.

“Toyota IE are the choice of professionals worldwide,” says ALJ. “ALJ is market leader in terms of Toyota IE sales volume, market share and customer satisfaction. ALJ has professional and relentless marketing and ever-ready aftersales Back-up teams and fleet of fully equipped mobile service vans with factory trained service technicians and has extensive Kingdom wide network of spare parts outlets. ALJ ensures that the quality experience of purchasing and ownership of Toyota Industrial Equipment is enjoyed and cherished by all its valued guests.”

a

bdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) established itself in the automotive sector in Saudi Arabia by bringing a professional edge to the customer experience after the sale. Recent years has seen this philosophy branch out into other areas of its business including its Industrial Equipment Division which like the car-side of the business sports Toyota in its ranks.

While the Saudisation programme and ensuing government regulation to protect jobs for Saudi nationals has proven to be a challenge for some companies, ALJ has embraced its role as an employer and educator in the Kingdom. It is now rolling out its own training programmes for companies utilising forklifts and the summer saw ALJ open what it describes as a ‘first of its kind’ training facility in the thriving coastal city of Jeddah. The company estimates that for every $100 spent on repairing damaged forklifts from accidents result you are going to have to also fork out an extra $1000 to repair damaged to associated equipment in the warehouse. According to ALJ training is essential

to eliminating work place injuries involving forklifts. Studies of forklift specific training show a 70% reduction in operator errors.

ALJ claims through independent studies, confirmed employers who have in place a safety and health training programme experience a 52% lower rate of ‘injury with days away’ than employers without a programme.”

The operator training centre is therefore designed to train operators on the “basis of safe operation and optimisation of forklift and lift productivity and efficiency” among operators.

The centre also serves the aftersales operation of the company by providing a production line of skilled manpower “capable of carrying out

the work to the fullest” to its corporate clients.

It also provides a useful role as a trainer and rehabilitator of workers from companies who are increasingly aware of the need for the safe operation of forklifts. The centre also aims to contribute to social development through the training of young people and create jobs in coordination with the Abdul Latif Jameel social initiatives of Bab Rizq Jameel.

The center consists of three main parts: the driving routes - the warehouse - simulation containers. The centers will be circulated throughout the kingdom. The center will train between 18-22 trainees per training session, where they are trained theoretically and

“ALJ hAs A sepArAte compAny for community And sociAL responsibiLity initiAtives.

We trAin young peopLe so We cAn creAte Jobs for them.”

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 17

Training

practically, and the trainee receives a certificate of completion of the session. Dealers and distributors are more and more seeking to offer more than just a phone number for spare parts to their clients. ALJ has proceeded down the route of offering a consultancy-style approach to the buyers of forklift truck fleets, and while training is now a common aspect of running a national scale operation, ALJ’s investment into real estate is a significant addition to the Saudi market.

“One of the main reasons for this is to be able to offer something other than aftersales services to the customer,” says Yousef Shaya Ali Al Qahtani. “We train their people, their operators to work properly on our forklifts. It’s a commitment from our side to provide them with the best services and form a partnership between them and us.”

Yousef says that the feedback from those participating on the training has been overwhelmingly positive: “We’ve had great results from both the management and operators.”

Classes can consist of up to 22 trainees.

They are then divided into two or three

on the heAvy side of the business ALJHE is a dynamic organisation that is focused towards strengthening Komatsu Heavy Equipment in Saudi Arabia.

Abdul Latif Jameel Heavy Equipment (ALJHE) was established in January 2013 at the same time as it received the rights to distribute Komatsu Heavy Equipment in Saudi Arabia. The organisation is a joint venture between two well-respected and internationally renowned conglomerates – the Abdul Latif Jameel Group of Saudi Arabia and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan.

ALJHE is headquartered in Jeddah.

Over a period of one year, ALJHE has successfully expanded its footprint to Dammam, Riyadh and Abha.

The key brand within ALJHE is Komatsu Heavy Equipment. Komatsu is a well-known brand for construction and mining equipment worldwide.

Komatsu was established in Japan in 1921 and is today a leader in the market segments in which it competes.

groups allowing for more concentrated training sessions. Yousef adds that the classes consist of both theory and practical.

“The theoretical part is conducted by one trainer and another trainer provides the practical training,” he says. “The practical training can take up to four hours – two hours inside the warehouse and then two hours outside the warehouse.”

The Jeddah facility is just the start of a programme that will see similarly styled centre opening across the Kingdom.

“This year we are opening in Jeddah, but next and the year after we will be opening up in each region, for example Riyadh, Dammam and the south-east as well.” he explains.

Yousef says that the KSA currently has a lack of fully trained operators and, the risk of injuries apart, he adds that this it is having an impact on the bottom line of companies across the country.

“We can find a solution for customers and their clients so they can reduce their costs. That’s why we have the initiative in the first place: most operators lack the skills and proper training available to them.”

Successful trainees get a certificate on completion on the course, but there is a much longer-lasting legacy potentially at stake here: providing local workers the skills to build a career.

“The main language is English but we back that up with Urdu and Arabic. ALJ has a separate company for community and social responsibility initiatives. We are doing a joint project with them to train young people on the forklifts so we can create jobs for them.”

While he is excited about the course in its current state, Yousef is anticipating even greater things in terms of the development of the certification given at the end of the course.

“Certification by the company is stage one.

In stage two we hope to have cooperation with the government to be able to certify with backup from the traffic agency of the ministry of traffic. It’s a matter of time, but I am hopeful.”

“We trAin their peopLe, And their operAtors to Work properLy on our forkLifts. it’s A commitment from our side to provide them With the best services And form A pArtnership betWeen them And us.”

18 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

SHIPPING FLEET

Keeping iT clean

Bee’ah’s cleaning of sharjah is starting to make waves, writes shruthi saraf

T

he United Arab Emirates, which boasts sandy beaches and beautiful creeks, has been steadily fighting to keep waste out of its water bodies. In fact, the country now records one of the highest rates of waste generation per capita in the world, thanks to rapid industrial expansion, construction boom and population growth.

A 2011 report by Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) observed that plastics make up approximately 19% of the municipal solid waste generated in the UAE. However, one emirate that has been taking waste seriously is Sharjah, where Bee’ah, the integrated

20 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

environmental and waste management company, is spearheading holistic activities towards a greener and a cleaner environment.

In what could be yet another step in Bee’ah’s goal to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2015, the company has introduced solar-powered cleaning boats to keep waste out of Sharjah’s waters. The new fleet includes ‘zero emission’ mobile equipment such as waste compactors, urban vacuum cleaners, automated sweepers and street vacuums. It will be the region’s first solar-powered water cleaning boats and will be able to collect up to 200kg of floating debris each day from Sharjah’s lagoons.

The fleet is being managed by Tandeef, the waste collection and street cleaning division of

Bee’ah, which is dedicated to Sharjah’s waste management and is primarily responsible for the beautification of the city. In many ways, these ‘cleaning solar boats’ support and build upon Tandeef’s existing fleet that are not not only to be highly cost effective and easy to maintain, but also continuously help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

“Tandeef’s fleet of electric-powered vehicles has proven to be highly cost effective and easyto-maintain,” confirmed Khaled Al Huraimel, Bee’ah’s group CEO. “At Tandeef, we strive to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions stemming from our equipment and vehicles.

“These new boats further accelerate our journey towards achieving zero-waste to

SHIPPING FLEET

landfill in the Emirate of Sharjah by 2015 – a goal established in accordance with the vision of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah to ensure an environmentally sustainable future.”

The advantages of the solar-powered boats are two-fold. They not only help to remove floating garbage from ports and swimming areas, thereby improving efficiency, but are also the first ‘zero emission’ boats in their class.

Manufactured by Grove Boats SA, under a class name of Solar Sea Cleaner 400, the solar boat was launched in 2012. It has a length of 4m, a maximum speed of 4 knots, working speed of 1.5 knots, solar panels

“Tandeef’s elecTricpowered vehicles prove To be highly cosT effecTive and easy-TomainTain.”

generating 600W and a crew capacity of one to two personnel. The boat is capable of collecting floating waste such as plastics, polystyrene, algae, and wood, and storing it on board in a dedicated container.

These boats are targeted for harbour areas and relatively calm waters as they aren’t yet adapted to heavy seas and large capacities. It is said to be easy-to-use, as the only caution the operator needs to exercise is to avoid the accumulation of weight on a single side of the boat.

As a catamaran, the boat possesses a high degree of stability, but strong side winds and severe weather conditions might reduce the manoeuvrability of the craft, while sudden SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 21

SHIPPING FLEET

“T he cenTre consisTs of various faciliTies To TreaT municipal solid, Tyres, consTrucTion and demoliTion and wasTe.” a Tidy ambiTion Efforts in Abu Dhabi notwithstanding, Bee’ah is behind by far the most ambitious waste management initiative attempted in the UAE – and quite possibly the Middle East. Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah has decreed that the Emirate must achieve zero-waste to landfill by 2015. It’s a massive task for the organisation that is on track to be made possible, not just because of support by the emirate’s administration, but by a campaign that has engaged those living in Sharjah.

Bee’ah’s responsibilities extend to the collection of materials such as plastic, aluminium and tyres. They are then ferried by a fleet of light and heavy vehicles to the site. Once there they are then sorted and then sent to the relevant processing unit where they will be alchemically transformed – or to use the correct term, treated - into an array of plastic products, fibres, car

acceleration and course changes can reduce the stability of the boat significantly.

The solar-powered boat has a clear advantage in tourist areas as it has a low speed, long autonomy and almost makes no noise.

Presently, a fleet of five solar-powered boats are in use on the waterway along the corniche of the Al Khaled Lagoon as part of a pilot phase, which is expected to determine the most efficient area ratio. “The boats are being closely monitored

by Tandeef’s team,” Bea’ah’s Huraimel said.

The maintenance of these boats is also easy, according to Bee’ah. They are inspected regularly and taken out of water every month and cleaned using high pressure water jet or mild soap. Other parts that need to be regularly maintained include the electrical connections, such as the batteries, which need to be securely placed and protected against corrosion.

The waste once collected is taken to Bee’ah’s Waste Management Centre in Al Saj’ah where it is sorted and sent to the different state22 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2014

of-the-art facilities managed and operated by the company along high international standards of health and safety. For example, the centre consists of various facilities to treat municipal solid waste (MSW), discarded tyres, construction and demolition waste, electronic waste, wastewater and sludge, amongst others.

The waste management centre also takes care of landfill reengineering, education and outreach, as well as policy development.

As part of the company, Tandeef aims to clean up the waste in the emirate and reduce the actual volume of waste through community outreach activities based on the four environmental Rs —reducing, re-using, recycling and redeeming — to minimise waste quantities dramatically. Sharjah’s aim is to serve as one of the top environmentally responsible cities in the world and the region’s environmental capital.

Keep track of the latest sustainability news, interviews and analysis in bgreen magazine: www.bgreen.ae

parts, metal cans and even furniture.

Sharjah has fully committed itself to the reduce, reuse and recycle philosophy that has turned entire countries such as Sweden into waste-free havens. The hope is that one day, the emirate will have this philosophy engrained into the culture.

Throughout the city are signs and bins reminding people to play their part in the scheme. Able to draw on inspiration from efforts elsewhere in the world Bee’ah is working with schools to ensure that there is a generation of children that understand why money and effort is being expended to clean up Sharjah. This effort has been noted further afield with the company beginning to offer waste management services to company’s beyond Sharjah, including a contract in Dubai, and it has opened an office in Saudi Arabia.

SHIPPING FLEET

SEPTEMBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 23

PARTING SHOT

INDIA reADy to plug in

The elecTric and hybrid vehicle indusTry in india, which is aT a nascenT sTage, is slowly creaTing opporTuniTies for auTomoTive original equipmenT manufacTurers (oems), according To frosT & sullivan

S

ubsidies from the Government has supported electric vehicle (EV) industry so far, however the same could have been more consistent for the overall market growth in India.

However, the Indian government’s plan to reintroduce incentives for electric vehicle buyers is expected to revitalise the deflated market.

The foray of more automotive manufacturers into the Indian electric and hybrid vehicle industry too will subsidise charging infrastructure and quicken market expansion.

According to Frost & Sullivan’s new study, ‘Strategic assessment of electric and hybrid vehicles market in India’, the total electric and hybrid vehicles market is expected to grow from 1,25,257 units in 2013 to 1.1 million units by 2021 at a compound annual growth rate of 31.6%. Domestic and

24 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2014 2014 SEPTEMBER

international vehicle manufacturers are expected to launch more than 25 EV models by 2021.

“Meanwhile, the infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicle is practically non-existent in India, with only a handful of OEMs installing charging ports. The infusion of around 120.0 billion by the government for power generation as well as charging infrastructure in various cities is likely to expand infrastructure and market scope,” said a Frost & Sullivan automotive and transportation research analyst.

Despite this support from the government, manufacturers still struggle to find price-effective local suppliers for electric and hybrid vehicle components. As a result, the cost of EV ownership is roughly 45% higher than a conventional car. Besides price, OEMs must address factors like range anxiety, power and output with better technologies to empower buyers with confidence

about the product and the industry. Developing models with lesser dependence on charging infrastructure will also be crucial to hasten adoption.

“Due to the complexity of technology involved, collaborations with players from much more evolved electric vehicle industries like in Europe or North America will ease out the pressure of clocking high growth rates,” added the analyst.

Success of EV and hybrid vehicles in India is inevitable as vehicle users are informed and aware of the technology benefits. The need is to develop an ecosystem, which would address issues like range anxiety, fast charging and initial investment in the vehicle. India’s policy makers will have a major say in developing such an ecosystem to promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in times to come, added the Frost & Sullivan report.

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