Abu Dhabi advances autonomous logistics pilots

AUTONOMOUS LOGISTICS-

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office inked 29 commercial deployment agreements for autonomous logistics technologies on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, state news agency Wam reports. The agreements, spanning air and ground delivery for e-commerce, as well as healthcare and industrial logistics, include:

• Emirates Post and UAE-based Autologix — a JV between 7X and Zelostech — will roll out heavy-cargo logistics pilots, deploying Level 4 autonomous cargo vehicles designed without driver cabins;
• UAE autonomous mobility developer K2 to lead pilots with Talabat, EXM, Enec, and noon for dual air and land autonomous delivery;
• Robotics firm Lodd will work alongside EMX, PureHealth’s diagnostics platform PureLab, noon, and Aramex on secure, cold-chain transport of medical samples and scalable parcel and mail delivery;
• Abu Dhabi-based Sinaha Technology to develop autonomous ground vehicles, robotics-led intelligent warehousing, and a digital fleet management system.

AVIATION-

#1- SalamAir taps CALC for new Airbus jets: Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir has inked a six-year lease agreement with China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) for two Airbus A320ceo jets — scheduled for arrival in 2Q 2026, according to a press release. The two aircraft are being removed from CALC’s People’s Republic of China current fleet lease.

Where does SalamAir’s current fleet stand? The carrier’s current operational fleet stands at 15 aircraft — composed of the fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo family. SalamAir has announced a strategic sustained plan to elevate its fleet to 25 aircraft by 2028 — intending to lease 10 additional Airbus A320s to meet surging passenger demand.

#2- Oman advances next-gen air mobility with tender for national master plan: Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) has issued a tender for consultants to conduct a feasibility study for the development of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) master plan, Oman Observer reports. This agreement follows a recent MoU with Odys Aviation signed back in September to launch an AAM Proof of Concept pilot program in 1Q 2026. The bid submission window closes on 23 November 2025, with a final deadline for financial and technical proposals set for 15 December 2025.

Oman is big on aerial logistics: Odys Aviation has inked an MoU with American conglomerate Honeywell to develop ground control stations for a hybrid VTOL aircraft back in July. Odys Aviation and Aramex inked an agreement back in January to provide Oman and the UAE with unmanned aerial vehicle cargo delivery.

ROADS-

Strabag Oman to develop Muscat road: Oman’s Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Ministry (MTCIT) and StrabagOman have inked an agreement for the Al Mouj Road Development Project, valued at around OMR 45 mn, according to a statement. The project, which also includes an associated section of 18 November Road, is expected to take two and a half years and aims to improve traffic flow, as well as tourism and commercial activities in the Muscat Governorate.

What to expect? The parties intend to add a third lane on each side of the road leading from Muscat International Airport Bridge to Al Ishraq Roundabout and toward Seeb Beach. This involves the construction of a bridge at Al Mouj Roundabout, as well as an overhead roundabout and underpass at Al Bahja Roundabout, the statement said.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Omantaps consortium for e-methanol bunkering in Dhofar: Oman’s Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Ministry signed an MoU with a consortium to develop an e-methanol supply and bunkering hub at Dhofar Port, according to a statement. The agreement stipulates a public-private partnership with the consortium, which includes HIF Global ’s HIF EMEA, energy JV Acciona Nordex Green Hydrogen, and a local Omani partner whose name has not been undisclosed.

The nation’s latest alternative bunkering efforts: Oman’s Sohar port is integrating biofuel bunkering in tugboat operations after experimenting with B20 — an 80% diesel and 20% biofuel mix — at Tug Sohar. The port aimed to expand the project to include locomotives by July 2025. The use of biofuel will help the company lower its greenhouse gas emissions by an initial target of 17%, which is in line with Oman’s net-zero 2050 goal.

TRADE-

#1- Saudi Spimaco to turn Egyptian unit into export hub: The Saudi Pharma Industries & Medical Appliances Corporation (Spimaco) plans to expand its operations in Egypt and transform its local subsidiary into an export base for African, GCC, and — at a later stage — European markets, Managing Director Ahmed Aljedai said during a press conference attended by EnterpriseAM. The move follows the resumption of commercial production at Spimaco Egypt last week — after a two-year hiatus — marking a reversal of an earlier board decision to exit the market following pandemic-related losses. The Saudi parent, which holds a 91% stake in its Egyptian arm, is now studying a full acquisition of the remaining shares.

#2- Adnoc renewed crude oil supply contracts with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Zhenhua Oil, according to the statement. Adnoc had reportedly inked MoUs for a five-year LNG contract to supply CNOOC with some 500k metric tons of LNG per year as of next year, and up to 12 cargoes of LNG annually for Zhenhua Oil.