Nitin Navneet Tatiwala

The past year saw continued shifts in global trade routes and evolving customer expectations. What stood out was how quickly companies adapted. The ripple effects of the Red Sea disruption extended into the year, putting pressure on Asia–Europe trade routes. Tariff changes also introduced new considerations for logistics planning. Across the Gulf, exporters and manufacturers demanded more predictable transit times and transparency to plan with confidence.

With nearly $2tn in goods moving through our network each year, we had a unique view of how these dynamics influenced day-to-day operations. That visibility shaped our 2025 priorities: boosting air capacity, enhancing customs clearance, and accelerating the rollout of digital tools across the Middle East, ensuring customers could continue trading seamlessly as conditions evolved.

As trade routes realigned across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, we focused on bolstering our logistics ecosystem to support the region’s exporters and manufacturers. Saudi Arabia was central to this effort. Completing our direct-serve transition gave businesses of every size a unified FedEx experience from pickup to clearance and delivery, backed by digital tools that simplify shipping. New gateways and stations in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam increased processing capabilities and ensured a more nationwide coverage.

The outcome was a stronger, more consistent and predictable service across the country.

As demand for faster access into and out of the Gulf grew, we increased capacity on the busiest lanes. The launch of our first dedicated FedEx B777 flight into Riyadh established a nonstop, six-times-weekly connection from the US and Europe to the kingdom, with onward links to Asia. This strengthened a critical high demand corridor for industries where timing is non-negotiable, including manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace.

Exporters also required broader capabilities across Saudi Arabia. Introducing our FedEx Logistics division in the kingdom expanded shipping options via air, road, and ocean freight.

Transit cargo support and customs brokerage gave customers control over international movements, helping them build resilient supply chains that can adapt to policy changes and production shifts.

These services strengthened connections between Saudi Arabia and key markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), South Asia, and Africa.

Throughout 2025, the intelligence within our network became as vital as the physical infrastructure. As manufacturers shifted production across regions and new trade policies came into effect, companies relied on us for our expertise in managing increasingly complex flows. Our digital twin of the FedEx network provided that clarity, analysng petabytes of data daily from flights, road movements, weather, and clearance activity.

Leveraging these insights, we adjusted our operations, helping businesses plan with more accuracy.

We also launched FedEx Surround in the UAE, giving businesses advanced near real-time tracking to identify risks earlier and protect the integrity and timely delivery of sensitive shipments.

Small and medium businesses (SMEs) continued to drive much of the region’s export momentum in 2025. As e-commerce volumes grew, SMEs needed wider access, definite delivery windows, and simpler international shipping processes to manage global movement of their shipments.

To support this growth, we introduced FedEx International Connect Plus in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The service offers a day-definite, three-to-four-day cross-border option for packages up to 20 kilogrammes, giving online sellers a reliable and cost-effective way to reach their customers.

In 2026, our focus is clear. The Middle East will play a larger role in global trade, and businesses will expect faster services, stronger air to road integration, and deeper visibility.

We will continue advancing our multimodal network and expanding our digital tools that enhance forecasting, streamline customs, and increase delivery accuracy. Above all, we will keep investing in our people, infrastructure, and technology that help our customers to compete with confidence in a fast-changing world.