Interview of the week - Almajdouie Logistics - Saudi Arabia

Being a Mechanical Engineer and Marine graduate from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Eyad has always understood the importance of logistics and getting products to the right place at the right time. 

He has 26 years of working experience in the Heavy Lift , Heavy Transport and Steel Structure Plant Development & Maintenance sectors.

Since 2018, Eyad is the General Manager of Almajdouie Logistics.

Tell us about Almajdouie Logistics. Who owns the company?

Almajdouie Logistics is part of Almajdouie Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Ali Ibrahim Almajdouie established the Group in 1965 as a land transport company but, over the years, the business has flourished and now caters to a diverse range of sectors and industries. 

A pioneer in its industry for over 50 years, Almajdouie Logistics is a leading integrated supply chain provider in the Middle East. We provide customers with unique solutions tailored to meet their specific needs and our services span diverse sectors in many countries.

We own, operate, and integrate our assets, which are comprised of an expansive fleet of vehicles and trailers, and 1.2 million SQM of terminal and warehousing facilities - piloted by our skilled and well-trained 4,000 strong workforce. 

Where are your offices located?

Headquartered in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the company operates seven offices around the Kingdom in addition to its offices in South Korea and Japan.

What is Almajdouie’s specialty and service range?

We offer a wide range of services, including transportation, freight forwarding, terminal handling, automotive logistics, heavy transport, warehousing, last-mile delivery, fulfillment management, and on-site logistics. Furthermore, we offer supply chain management courses through our Middle East Logistics Institute (MELI) and are globally recognized for handling heavy weight cargo and hold a Guinness World Record for 'The Heaviest Item Moved By Road Freight'.

Tell us about projects that you have handled recently.

In 2020, Almajdouie Logistics became the first logistics company in Saudi Arabia to transport cargo using the UNECE’s TIR system, a globally recognized convention for streamlining cross-border transportation. Adopted by the Saudi Customs Authority, the TIR system provides an optimized and fully digital border crossing solution, reducing delivery time and improving cargo security. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the Saudi Automobile & Touring Association (SATA) played key roles in the successful execution of the shipment.  

We are also proud to play a role in shaping a cleaner and brighter future for the Kingdom by providing heavy transportation and project logistic solutions for the Dumat Al Jandal wind farm project. Upon completion, the project will play a major role in delivering the Kingdom’s sustainable energy goals. It is expected to offset 994,000t of carbon emissions a year while making an annual saving of 894,000 barrels of oil-equivalent fossil fuels. 

Almajdouie’s heavy lift expertise, proven ability to handle oversized loads, and highly skilled workforce ensure we can effectively tackle operations of this extraordinary nature. Dumat Al Jandal is touted as the largest wind park in the Middle East, and projects such as this reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to diversification, especially in terms of energy production.    

We recently transported cargo measuring 15 x 10 x 14 metres (L x W x H) and weighing 250 tonnes from Ras Al-Khair Port to the client project site. Due to the height and weight of the cargo, careful planning and coordination between multiple parties were essential to complete the operation successfully. With assistance from the client, a dedicated heavy haul road was created from the port to the project site to facilitate the movement well in advance. Special berthing was also arranged ahead of time to accommodate the vessel arriving at the port, and fences were opened to allow the cargo to pass after unloading.

As with all projects undertaken, careful attention was paid to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What are the main industries served in Saudi Arabia?

Almajdouie Logistics serves a diverse range of industries and sectors in KSA, including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power & Utility, Infrastructure, FMCG, eCommerce, and Automotive.

Which are Almajdouie’s assets in terms of project cargo handling equipment? 

From providing heavy transport to barging and installation of cargo at its final destination, our skilled manpower, equipment portfolio, and local know-how make us ideally placed to support the most sophisticated project logistics operations.

With over 400 axle lines of conventional and self propelled units, an in-house engineering team, and full project management capabilities, we have won the trust of major global EPCs, fabricators, and forwarding companies who all benefit from our advanced and cost effective methods of heavy transportation and installation services.

We understand that big challenges require smart solutions, which is why our in-house engineering team conducts technical studies, route analysis, and load calculations ahead of every heavy transport project using the latest technology.

Are there any tricky points one should consider when planning a project cargo shipment to Saudi Arabia? 

All companies planning a project cargo shipment to Saudi Arabia should comply with government rules and regulations to secure permits ahead of time. Road modifications, temporarily removing power lines and signboards, and constructing bypass bridges are just some of the obstacles we have previously faced. Securing the necessary documentation requires careful coordination among many parties. The weather is also an important element to consider, especially with projects taking place in the Western and Southern regions, where rain makes transportation particularly challenging.

What is your advantage against your competitors? How do you ensure that you stand out?

In an increasingly competitive market, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work, which is why Almajdouie Logistics takes pride in providing tailor-made solutions. We work with customers on a consultative basis to find the best options to meet their requirements. Furthermore, we can provide customized designs and will invest in or build assets on their behalf to suit their specific operations.  

Almajdouie Logistics differs from most other integrated end-to-end logistics providers in the region, because we own and operate our assets, which means we don’t outsource a huge amount of activity. We believe this is a strong advantage and gives our clients, partners, and end users confidence in our capabilities.  

Our high standards and commitment to quality also set us apart from competitors. We focus on our employees’ development through training programmes that help them understand the importance of cargo care, customer interaction, and safety. We also actively support our employees in developing their careers and improving their skills, which creates tangible value for our company, customers, and stakeholders.

One of our biggest advantages is that we are globally recognized for our capabilities. We hold a Guinness World Record for 'the heaviest item moved by road freight', which involved the transportation of eight evaporator units, each weighing over 4,891 tonnes.

Almajdouie Logistics is also recognized for its high safety standards, diverse employee training and development programmes, professional staff, and longstanding business relationships with satisfied clients. Moreover, we hold various global ISO certifications that reflect our commitment to quality. 

What made you join the industry?

As a Mechanical Engineer and Marine graduate, I have always understood the importance of logistics and getting products to the right place at the right time. How efficiently goods move to their final destinations plays a crucial role in any country’s economic growth. I always wanted to be part of this process. 

What do you like the most about your business?

In the logistics industry, we face a range of unique challenges with every shipment. Finding solutions to these challenges and being able to support our clients is incredibly satisfying.

Who should be approached at Almajdouie for inquiries?

Customers can visit www.mlc.sa, email raish@almajdouie.com, or call +966 92 002 9221.