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A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and the General Ports Authority of Saudi Arabia, known as Mawani, unveiled the largest Maersk Logistics Park in the Middle East at Jeddah Islamic Port on Wednesday. The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures including His Excellency Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the General Ports Authority, and Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, alongside other key officials from the logistics and business sectors.
In his keynote address, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser highlighted the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s ports sector, marked by higher operational efficiency and growing maritime connectivity. He emphasised that the new logistics park will play a pivotal role in strengthening Saudi Arabia's economic activities, supporting trade, exports, and improving supply chain logistics. "The Maersk Logistics Park at Jeddah Islamic Port will contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic development by providing top-tier logistics services that enhance trade movement and export capabilities," Al-Jasser stated.
Omar bin Talal Hariri, President of the General Authority of Ports, praised the role of the logistics park in bolstering the logistics industry’s growth. He said, "This facility will facilitate supply chain connectivity, which will drive significant improvements in the operational performance of Saudi ports and enhance the capabilities of the logistics sector."
Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, emphasised the strategic importance of the new logistics park, positioning Saudi Arabia as a vital hub for global trade. "Our Logistics Park in Jeddah demonstrates our integrated logistics strategy. It supports our customers with resilient logistics while advancing our decarbonisation goals," Clerc remarked.
Ahmed Kudous, Head of Supply Chain for Unilever’s Middle East and Turkey region, reiterated the significance of the logistics park in supporting Unilever's sustainability goals. By consolidating operations at the facility, Unilever aims to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, aligning with its Net Zero ambition by 2039. Kudous added, "This partnership with Maersk advances our sustainability agenda while contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading global logistics hub."
Spanning 225,000 square meters, the Maersk Logistics Park offers fully integrated logistics solutions under one roof. It boasts multi-modal connectivity, linking ocean, land, and air transport, and provides warehousing solutions for both B2B and e-commerce. The facility includes temperature-controlled warehouses, custom-bonded setups, and distribution solutions, such as first- and last-mile deliveries, making it ideal for industries ranging from FMCG, frozen food, and retail to petrochemicals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
The logistics park is also a cornerstone of Maersk’s decarbonisation strategy. Up to 70% of the facility's electricity will be drawn from 32,000 solar panels installed across 64,000 square meters of rooftop space. The site will operate electric equipment and trucks, utilise low-consumption LED lighting, and adopt other energy-efficient technologies, contributing to Maersk’s ambition to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
In addition to its environmental initiatives, Maersk has established a women’s academy at the park, dedicated to training and empowering Saudi women in the logistics and supply chain sector. This academy offers specialised training and mentorship programs to enhance diversity and inclusion within an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Safety remains a priority at the Maersk Logistics Park, which has been built with world-class firefighting systems, segregated pedestrian and equipment paths, and comprehensive surveillance camera systems to ensure the security of both personnel and cargo. The facility’s state-of-the-art safety measures reflect Maersk’s commitment to creating a safe environment for all stakeholders.
Strategically located at Jeddah Islamic Port, which features advanced infrastructure, the logistics park is positioned to leverage modern automated and eco-friendly equipment. This will enhance the port’s operational efficiency, competitiveness, and capacity, enabling it to accommodate new generations of large vessels.
The launch of the Maersk Logistics Park is a significant milestone in advancing Saudi Arabia’s logistics capabilities and global trade competitiveness, aligning with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to position the Kingdom as a leading logistics hub on the global stage.
Shadowfax is significantly expanding its quick commerce infrastructure, announcing plans to scale its dark store network from 15 facilities to 100 by FY27. The move underscores the company’s growing focus on hyperlocal deliveries, same-day fulfilment, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) logistics as competition intensifies in India’s fast-evolving quick commerce ecosystem. The Bengaluru-based company plans to add 85 new dark stores over the next fiscal year, targeting metro cities with delivery radiuses of approximately seven kilometres and fulfilment timelines of around 30 minutes. The expansion is expected to support rising demand from vertical quick commerce platforms and D2C brands that increasingly rely on third-party logistics (3PL) partners for rapid deliveries. According to company executives, vertical marketplaces are emerging as a profitable segment because of their dependence on outsourced logistics infrastructure rather than captive fulfilment networks. Shadowfax believes this trend creates a strong opportunity for scalable 3PL-led quick commerce models. The dark store expansion will account for nearly 10% of Shadowfax’s planned capital expenditure of ₹180–190 crore in FY27. The company is simultaneously strengthening its automation and artificial intelligence capabilities to improve operational efficiency. AI-led demand forecasting, automated slotting, and smarter sorting centre operations are expected to reduce overhead costs while accelerating breakeven timelines for new facilities. Shadowfax’s aggressive expansion comes on the back of strong financial performance. The company reported a consolidated net profit of ₹55.8 crore in Q4 FY26, compared to a net loss of ₹9.9 crore during the same period last year. Revenue from operations surged 73.6% year-on-year to ₹1,237 crore, reflecting growing order volumes and increased adoption of quick commerce delivery services. Founded in 2015, Shadowfax has evolved into one of India’s largest logistics and last-mile delivery networks, serving over 2,500 cities and more than 15,000 pincodes. The company currently handles millions of shipments daily through a technology-driven delivery ecosystem that supports e-commerce, grocery, hyperlocal, and D2C brands. Industry analysts believe the dark store expansion reflects a broader shift within India’s logistics sector, where speed, proximity-based fulfilment, and automated operations are becoming central to supply chain competitiveness. As quick commerce adoption accelerates beyond groceries into categories such as fashion, electronics, and personal care, logistics providers like Shadowfax are positioning themselves as critical enablers of ultra-fast retail fulfilment. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Crown Worldwide Group has strengthened its India expansion strategy with the launch of a new integrated facility in Coimbatore, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the country’s rapidly growing information and asset management market. Spread across a 4.5-acre site, the facility has been designed to support scalable growth, offering an initial storage capacity of more than 468,000 Standard Carton Equivalents (SCE) with expansion potential to 720,000 SCE under a planned Phase 2 development which will see addition of 45,000 sq ft. Commenting on the development, Jennifer Harvey, Group CEO, Crown Worldwide Group said, "India is one of our fastest growing markets and this new facility strengthens our ability to support clients with physical document and corporate asset storage, digitalisation, and information management solutions." The new site will support Crown’s information management, storage and digitalisation operations while also catering to its relocation and workspace solutions businesses, including refurbishment and reuse services through its Renew Centre. Tze Shen Kong, CEO - Asia, Crown Worldwide Group noted, “This facility significantly strengthens our ability to serve clients operating in and out of India.” Designed for high operational efficiency, the facility integrates advanced building management systems for real-time monitoring of critical operations including climate control, fire safety and electrical systems. The site also incorporates sustainability-focused features such as insulated construction, reflective roofing and green cover to enhance energy efficiency and environmental performance. According to Srinivas Krishnan, Regional Managing Director - South Asia, Crown Worldwide Group the new facility further strengthens Crown’s regional network while preparing the company to address the growing scale and complexity of client demand across South India.
Sameera Warehouster recently marked a significant milestone with the Bhoomi Pujan for its upcoming 2.6 lakh sq. ft facility on the Bangalore-Chennai Highway. The project’s first phase will focus on constructing 1.01 lakh sq. ft, laying the foundation for a state-of-the-art warehouse tailored for a leading automobile component manufacturer. This Built-To-Suit (BTS) facility, located in Ennathur, is set to redefine industrial space standards by enhancing operational efficiency and supporting business growth. The Bhoomi Pujan ceremony was a pivotal moment in Sameera Warehouster's journey to deliver customised, high-quality industrial spaces. The event was celebrated by key stakeholders, marking the beginning of a project designed to meet the specific needs of a valued client. Commenting on the project, Mr. Sandeep Chadha, Managing Director of Sameera Warehouster, stated, "We are proud to embark on this new venture on the Bangalore-Chennai Highway, which underscores our commitment to creating innovative and efficient industrial spaces. This facility is more than just an industrial building—it’s a strategic solution that will help our client optimise their operations and expand their business footprint. We are dedicated to delivering a space that meets their exact specifications and contributes to their continued success." In addition to this development, Sameera Warehouster has acquired a 137-acre park in Chengalpet, with plans for a potential 3 million sq. ft. of development. This expansion aligns with the company’s vision to build robust infrastructure that empowers businesses to thrive. Development at Chengalpet is expected to commence soon, offering new opportunities for growth and innovation. Sameera Warehouster remains committed to pushing the boundaries of industrial real estate. With these projects, the company aims to provide state-of-the-art facilities that foster growth, efficiency, and success for its clients.
