Aramex, the Middle East's largest courier firm, has joined forces with the US maritime transport company Regent to develop electric seagliders for middle-mile logistics in order to make its operations more sustainable.
Middle mile in logistics refers to the segment of a supply chain responsible for transporting goods from the port to either a warehouse or a distribution centre.
Seagliders are a new mode of transport that combines the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat. Built to serve coastal and island communities, they operate over the water and can carry people and cargo for up to 290km using battery technology.
“We are keen to enhance our capabilities to move packages efficiently and effectively over sea routes, given the expansion and development of coastal cities within our core region,” said Angad Singh, global director for innovation at Aramex.
“This completes the trifecta of air, sea and land for our future vehicle programme development.”
The partnership is facilitated by the Strategic Development Fund, Aramex said, adding that in the beginning, it aims to explore opportunities in the Middle East, followed by other key markets.
The companies will assess the feasibility of integrating Regent's high-speed seagliders into Aramex's existing logistics network.
They will identify potential middle-mile routes on which seagliders can transport cargo from ports to coastal distribution hubs while offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to existing transport options.
Demand for green logistics is on the rise, with 75 per cent of shippers looking for environmentally friendly options when exporting goods to high-income countries, World Bank's Logistics Performance Index revealed in April.
Opting for environmentally sustainable logistics options can also lessen the carbon footprint of supply chains and keep trade flowing by shifting to less carbon-intensive freight and more energy-efficient warehousing, the Washington-based lender said.
Middle-mile logistics is a “large, untapped opportunity for sustainable innovation” and the partnership will “unlock new economic potential”, said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and chief executive of Regent.
Last month, Aramex said its third-quarter profit dropped as revenue for the period declined amid continued global macroeconomic challenges, high interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations.
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the company for the three months to the end of September dropped by nearly 76 per cent year-on-year to Dh9.64 million ($2.6 million).
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
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Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
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