LOGISTICS-

DP World has invested GBP 170 mn (c. USD 226.9 mn) in container handling technology at its London Gateway logistics hub, according to a press release. The new capabilities involve a high-bay storage system (HBS) named Empty Superstack — developed by its JV with SMS Group BoxBay — and features electric cranes which can hold up to 27k TEUs. The system will be installed in the hub’s fully electric berth 4, and stack 20 and 40-foot empty containers up to 16 levels high within an automated facility in a bid to boost safety, capacity, and efficiency, the press release said.

Latest London Gateway hub expansions: DP World partnered up with UK-based retailer Tesco to expand its London-based hub with a multi-mn GBP distribution center earlier this year. The center — which is set to focus on dry grocery distribution — is scheduled for operations in 2029. Its exact investment ticket was not disclosed.

PROPTECH-

Property Finder invests in digital real estate platform Stake: Dubai-based Property Finder acquired an undisclosed equity stake in Stake, a fractional real estate investment platform that allows users to invest in property starting from AED 500, according to a press release. The investment comes shortly after Property Finder secured a USD 250 mn loan from Ares Management to fund regional growth, following a USD 525 mn capital injection from Permira and Blackstone Growth earlier in September.

More on Stake: The platform is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and the move comes as Stake continues to scale across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Since launching in 2021, the platform has drawn over 1 mn users, facilitated 250k investments across more than 500 properties, and exceeded AED 1.3 bn in transactions. Its investors include Mubadala Investment Company, Saudi Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, and Middle East Venture Partners.

INVESTMENT-

Chinese smart truck firm Trunk joins NextGen FDI: Trunk, a Beijing-based provider of autonomous solutions for commercial vehicles, is the latest firm to join the UAE’s NextGen FDI initiative, according to a press release. Trunk will establish its regional HQ in the Emirates, from which it is set to launch logistics operations next year. It’s looking to produce 2k smart trucks, and will oversee the manufacturing, operation, upkeep, and sales of the vehicles.

BACKGROUND- We’ve seen several firms join the NextGen FDI program in recent months. Singapore-based engineering solutions firm Quest Global joined in July, with plans to build engineering centers to support the energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors. AI solutions provider DoxAI came on board at the start of the year, as did US-based energy data analytics firm Welligence and AI and machine learning firm Qualcomm.

SUSTAINABILITY-

du, Ericsson to launch digital recycling platform across UAE: Swedish telecoms firm Ericsson and UAE telecom operator du inked a commercial reseller agreement to create a recycling platform to resell waste materials, according to a press release. The two will set up Ericsson Connected Recycling (ECR), available as an app and online, to link sellers of recycled materials with buyers. ECR also has a tracking option, and Kuwait’s Alshaya Group will be its first user. Initially, it will focus on the hospitality sector, but it plans to scale up, including into the metal and electronic waste segments.

BACKGROUND- Recent developments in the UAE’s waste management scene include Tadweer rolling out a new waste collection arm and snapping up Masdar’s stake in the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant. Lootah Biofuels started supplying the UAE with sustainable aviation fuel made from waste cooking oil, and Abu Dhabi launched a waste management monitoring system over the summer.

RETAIL-

Lulu, Mulk to build freezone development and mall in Ajman: Lulu International Holdings and UAE-based Mulk International entered into a JV to develop a 2.5 mn sq ft freezone and freehold development, TradeArabia reports. The two inked an agreement with Ajman Land Department and Tourism Development Department Chair Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi for the project, which will include a 400k sq ft retail center, Mirkaaz Mall, managed by Lulu’s malls division, Line Investments & Property.

M&A-

Green Dome to acquire Transcorp in GCC logistics push: UAE-based Green Dome Investments (GDI) agreed to acquire Transcorp International, a cold-chain logistics operator active in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, for an undisclosed sum, according to a press release. The agreement sees Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures exit its stake in the firm, which it had acquired in 2018.

Market impact: Transcorp will be integrated into GDI’s logistics arm, Elite Co., expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom’s logistics sector is set to see an uptick in activity from Vision 2030 projects. Elite Co. and Transcorp will operate in five GCC markets, managing 1.5k vehicles, 27 warehouses, and serving 800 clients between them.

The acquisition marks GDI’s fourth since 2017, raising its total deployed capital to over USD 120 mn. Backed by Sisco Holding, GDI plans further acquisitions in 2026 to develop a fully integrated regional logistics platform spanning express, e-commerce, and cold-chain services.

GAMING-

Sportradar Group receives UAE gaming vendor license: Switzerland-based gaming and sports tech company Sportradar Group secured a gaming vendor license from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), according to a press release. The license enables the sports tech firm to provide its data-driven technology and analytics services to licensed gaming operators within the UAE.

BACKGROUND- The UAE became the first to offer regulated gaming services in the GCC region, after establishing the GCGRA and its official national gaming framework last year. It has since then rolled out several gaming licenses, more recently a commercial gaming license for Wynn Resorts, slated to be the region’s first integrated gaming resort by 2027.

TRADE FINANCE-

Mashreq, Traydstream roll out digital trade asset platform: Our friends at Mashreq and UK-based trade finance fintech Traydstream launched TraydFund, a digital platform designed to facilitate secondary market sales of trade finance assets, according to a LinkedIn post. Co-developed with Mashreq’s corporate venture capital arm, NeoVentures, the system allows banks to trade, syndicate, and participate in trade finance assets through a single digital channel, improving efficiency, transparency, and liquidity across the sector, according to a separate statement.

FOOD-

Adio inks agreements on protein fermentation and production: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) is partnering with UK-based New Agrarian to establish a multi-tenant protein fermentation facility in Abu Dhabi, according to a pressrelease. New Agrarian will also set up and provide financial backing for a hub in Abu Dhabi to support international firms working in the protein fermentation sector.

A protein facility: A second MoU with US biotech firm Every Company, which specializes in protein production, and Netherlands-based precision fermentation firm Vivici, will see all three design, find financing for, and work to commercialize a facility for alternative protein production, according to a separate pressrelease. The facility will have a 4 mn liter capacity, be multi-tenanted, and meet Halal certification standards.

ICYMI- Adio’s recently partnered with Wusoom Holding to develop protein fermentation facilities, as part of its larger plan of developing sustainable food production and innovative protein solutions.

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