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Aramex acquires Fastway Limited
SOHAR Port signs deal with Warehousing Solutions LLC
At present, the DCAF hangar is spread over
Hussein Hachem
Aramex is to strengthen its presence in the APAC region, following the acquisition of Fastway Limited. Established in New Zealand in 1983, Fastway Couriers’ global network includes 63 regional depots and 1,500 courier franchisees across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Northern Ireland and South Africa. With more than 250 franchise partners across New Zealand alone, the company transports 16 million parcels globally to 75,000 customers each year. The deal is aligned with Aramex’s asset light business model, and is Aramex’s second acquisition in the Asia-Pacific region to date and
involves a 100% buyout of the company’s business in New Zealand and Australia for AED293.650m. Hussein Hachem, CEO of Aramex said: “Acquiring Fastway Couriers is the next logical, strategic move for us. Having scalable synergies with our own infrastructure and extending our reach across the region, the acquisition now makes us present in New Zealand for the first time and strengthens our existing operations in Australia.” The Asia-Pacific region was the largest e-commerce market in the world last year, with total B2C e-commerce turnover of $770bn.
CEVA and Etihad Rail sign MoU One of the world’s biggest supply chain management companies, CEVA Logistics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Etihad Rail, the developer of the UAE’s rail network. The MoU was signed by Jerome Lorrain, EVP for Balkans and MEA at CEVA Logistics, and the CEO of Etihad Rail, Faris Saif Al Mazrouei. Mazrouei said: “This agreement is the first step towards the establishment of a long and strategic partnership between our two companies. We look forward to working closely with CEVA Logistics and play our role in the greater diversification of the UAE economy.” Lorrain added: “Etihad Rail will provide us with a much more reliable and environment friendly alternative to traditional modes of transport. Moreover, once the GCC rail connection is operational, it will significantly enhance the scope of our business.”
In Numbers
SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed a deal with Warehousing Solutions LLC, a newly established company belonging to Saudi Arabian logistics provider Warehousing Projects and Logistics LLC (WPL). Warehousing Solutions LLC will develop and manage the new warehouse park at SOHAR Freezone — one of WPL’s first major ventures outside the Kingdom. The signing marks the beginning of the construction of WPL’s planned 50,000sqm warehouse park in SOHAR Freezone; a further 50,000sqm has been reserved for phase II, taking the total size of the land lease agreement up to 100,000sqm. Warehousing Solutions will construct ready-built warehouses as well as bespoke warehousing for other SOHAR tenants on-site in the Freezone. The signing took place at the annual SOHAR business reception, in Muscat. His Excellency Sultan Al Habsi, chairperson of SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as SOHAR CEOs Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz signed the agreement with WPL chief executive Abdulaziz Mansoor Al Subaie. VIPs and guest from the public and private sectors as well as representatives from key diplomatic missions in Oman attended the ceremony.
5,700sqm large enough to accommodate more than one ACJ or BBJ type aircraft, extensive business jets such as the Falcon 7X, Gulfstream G650 or the Global Express.
With more than 250 franchise partners across New Zealand alone, Fastway Limited transports
16 million 75,000 parcels globally to
customers each year
Logistics News ME | February 2016 | 9