The sustainable way forward

The transportation and logistics sector has come out of the pandemic year with both optimism for a resurgence and a new host of challenges. The well-noted resurgence is a result of the growing demand for goods and services in many regions, especially the Arabian Gulf, which continues to build and develop its infrastructure through serious investments in manufacturing and industry.

Of the many challenges, however, is one of sustainability, and how to cement operational growth while addressing the real issue of the need for green and less environmentally damaging practices. In the transport sector, one immediate direction is a strategic adoption of alternative, cleaner ‘fuels’ to reduce emissions in commercial fleet operations. We know well that the transition to electricity, hydrogen, or biofuels can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

At Al Masaood, for instance, we introduced electric counterbalanced forklifts, drastically cutting emissions in material handling operations. We also worked with our global brand partners to introduce electric small, medium, and heavy-duty trucks.

Transition to ‘clean’ transport

This migration to cleaner transport is an evolution, not an overnight process. The economics of Capex is very important, of course, but so is the need for investment in infrastructure for electric commercial vehicles and hydrogen refuelling stations, including fast turnaround time to prevent hampering of operations. For Al Masaood, that looks like investing in the creation of technologies like SHAMS+, a smart plug-and-play solar charging system, aiding transportation and industrial operations in reducing their carbon footprint.

Back to the economics of the present challenges, the discussion is incomplete without acknowledging the potential of AI and digitalisation. AI-driven systems can be used to optimise vehicle routing, driver behaviour, reduce fuel consumption and aerodynamic drag, and minimise emissions by efficiently managing fleets. Predictive maintenance systems enhance vehicle reliability, as we have seen firsthand through our adoption of advanced emissions control technology in UD Trucks Croner PKE, for instance. The real-time monitoring and analysis capabilities that are available today allow companies to identify inefficiencies and take corrective measures to reduce environmental impact.

Refurbishment holds the key

A related ‘good’ practice is the refurbishment of existing equipment—not just equipment used in the transport and logistics sector, but across all industries. That is yet another direction in which we at Al Masaood Industrial have taken real steps, placing such services at the heart of our operations.

This behavioural evolution will no doubt be encouraged by a developing regulatory framework that mandates renewable energy usage, sets emission reduction targets, or implements carbon pricing mechanisms. The authorities have led the way and continue to set ambitious targets that push the entire industry towards greater sustainability.

The transportation sector today stands at a critical juncture where sustainability and innovation are irreversibly interlinked. By embracing alternative fuels, optimising logistics, and investing in eco-friendly infrastructure, we can and must begin to achieve a more neutral industry.

• Hani Tannir is the CEO of Masaood Group Industrial.