STARTUP WATCH-

Saudi-based last-mile delivery platform Pieship secured SAR 7.9 mn in a seed investment round, according to a statement. The round was led by Nama Ventures, with participation from Seedra Ventures funds and unnamed angel investors.

The details: The funds will be used to support expansion plans into seven major Saudi cities, including Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Qassim, and Khamis Mushait, leverage AI to improve fleet management and deliveries, and launch new logistics services. To date, the startup has delivered 600k shipments and onboarded 1.2k captains.

About Pieship: Founded in late 2023 by Nasser Alharthi (LinkedIn), Mohamed Mohsen (LinkedIn), and Mosaad Alharthi (LinkedIn), Pieship is a Riyadh-based last-mile delivery and supply chain platform that provides real-time tracking, AI-powered route optimization, and a crowdsourced driver network while reducing operational costs for businesses and deliveries.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Bahri forms automotive-focused JV: KSA shipping giant Bahri has formed a JV with PIF-owned TASARUMobility Investments and Germany’s MOSOLF Group to bolster the automotive and mobility sectors in the Kingdom, according to a statement. Tasaru will provide capital, Bahri will handle maritime shipping, and Mosolf will lend technical knowledge, , according to another press release. The partnership will cover shipping, customs clearance, transportation, and electric vehicle handling. No additional information about the JV’s name, financial details, or timeline for the initiative was disclosed.

SUPPLY CHAINS-

UAE’s PCFC and Cordiant Capital collaborate to boost Dubai’s food supply chain: The Ports, Customs, and Freezone Corporation (PCFC) inked an MoU with Canadian investment firm Cordiant Capital at the World Governments Summit to enhance Dubai’s agricultural value chains and strengthen its food security initiatives, state news agency Wam reports.

The details:Under the partnership, PCFC and Cordiant Capital will invest in infrastructure projects that improve food distribution networks, reduce waste, and ensure efficient farm-to-table supply chains. The agreement will focus on developing advanced cold-chain logistics, optimizing trade corridors, and deploying supply chain technologies such as IoT sensors and AI-powered analytics.

ICYMI- The Dubai Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) inked an agreement to improve food safety and reduce food waste and loss at the summit on Tuesday.

AVIATION-

#1- UAE’s state-owned defense giant EDGE Group has launched Powertech, a company specializing in the development and production of high-performance aero engines and propulsion systems for both civil aerospace and defense applications, it said in a press release.

#2- SAL + Madinah Authority ink agreement to boost airport operations: Saudi’s SAL Logistics Services is partnering up with the Madinah Region Development Authority to boost logistics services at Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, according to a statement. The agreement aims to integrate smart tech at the airport as well as increase air cargo volumes, enhance trade operations, boost the region’s logistics performance index, and reduce barriers to export and import.

CUSTOMS-

UAE’s AD Ports Group secured a contract to manage Jordan’s 1.3 mn sqm Al Madouneh Customs Center under a new agreement with the Jordan Customs Department, according to a press release. The facility, launched in June 2024, uses AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies for logistics optimization.

TRADE-

A Saudi-Kenyan Business Council is in the works: The Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) inked an agreement with the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish a Saudi-Kenyan Business Council during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, state news agency SPA reports. The move comes in a bid to boost economic cooperation and facilitate trade and investment between both states. The joint council will focus on expanding cooperation, exchanging information, and organizing exhibitions and trade visits.

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