«أسمو» تدشن تطوير مجمع لوجستي متكامل في مدينة الملك سلمان للطاقة بالشراكة مع «آركابيتا»

• The complex serves as a comprehensive logistics platform to support the operations of Saudi Aramco and its subsidiaries, along with its partners and clients in the energy and industrial sectors.

• "Arcapita" is participating in the development and financing of the project, which spans an area of 1.4 million square meters, as part of its investment strategy in the Kingdom.

ASMO, the joint venture between Saudi Aramco and DHL, announced the commencement of construction for its first integrated logistics complex with special specifications, covering an area of 1.4 million square meters in King Salman Energy Park (SPARK). This project is a key pillar of ASMO's strategy aimed at developing the logistics infrastructure to support the energy and industrial sectors in the Kingdom in the long term.

This project is being developed and financed in partnership with Arcapita Group Holdings Ltd (Arcapita), a global firm specializing in alternative investment management, under an agreement signed earlier this year.

The complex is designed to meet the growing logistics service needs, featuring first-class (A) logistics warehouses equipped with temperature control systems, dedicated facilities for chemical storage, as well as offices and employee amenities, and expansive outdoor areas for the storage and handling of industrial products. The project adheres to the highest technical specifications and safety standards, incorporating advanced automation solutions and smart storage technologies that enhance its operational efficiency and future scalability. It also includes fire protection systems, solar energy installations, and electric vehicle charging stations, and we aim to achieve LEED Gold certification for green buildings.

This project reflects the structural transformations occurring in global supply chains, as economies shift towards more diversified models focused on regional needs. With the increasing complexity of production and supply networks, the logistics sector emerges as a crucial element in enhancing operational resilience and ensuring business continuity, thereby supporting the sustainable demand for high-quality logistics infrastructure, especially in markets experiencing rapid industrial growth like Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on this, Mr. Salem bin Abdulrahman Al-Huraish, Chairman of ASMO, said: "This complex represents an important step towards building ASMO's long-term logistics supply network in Saudi Arabia, and it is the first of three strategic complexes planned for development in various regions of the Kingdom, contributing to enhancing supply chains and providing reliable support for logistics operations in the energy and industrial sectors. This project also aligns with the ambitions of Vision 2030 to establish the Kingdom as a regional logistics hub."

Al-Huraish added, "Once operational, the project is expected to begin providing services to Saudi Aramco and its companies, along with other clients in the energy and industrial sectors, thereby enhancing ASMO's ability to deliver integrated and centralized logistics solutions to its client base more efficiently."

For his part, Mr. Suliman bin Mohammed Al-Rabiaan, Senior Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Saudi Aramco, stated: "Saudi Aramco recognizes, as a key player, the importance of high-quality logistics infrastructure in enhancing service reliability and enabling large supply chain operations efficiently. This complex is an important step towards developing the supply chain ecosystem and reflects the company's long-term vision for growth and operational excellence, aligning with the strategic infrastructure capable of integrating operational capabilities efficiently."

It is noteworthy that this project aligns with a long-term development and operation model, combining long-term capital investment with integrated operational capabilities, balancing Arcapita's role as an investor and asset owner with ASMO's role as the long-term operator of the complex.

Additionally, Sheikh Isa bin Hussam Al Khalifa, CEO and Head of Real Estate in the Middle East and North Africa for Arcapita Group, said: "This investment embodies the increasing importance of high-quality logistics and industrial assets that meet the demands of major institutional investors in Saudi Arabia, particularly assets supported by long-term operational demand. As the Kingdom continues to prioritize industrial development and enhance supply chain resilience and achieve higher levels of self-sufficiency, we expect continued growth in demand for high-quality and scalable logistics infrastructure. This project is distinguished by its strategic location and strong supply and demand fundamentals, along with clear uses in key sectors for energy production and industrial materials in the Kingdom."

The CEO of King Salman Energy Park, Mr. Mishal Al-Zughbi, expressed his happiness with this important investment, describing it as the beginning of several leading development projects in the city, adding, "Our teams continue to work at an accelerated pace to implement the initial phases of this project and complete this important landmark. This partnership also contributes to enhancing the position of SPARK as a global hub for energy and logistics services, as this complex will provide ASMO with a comprehensive range of logistics services, benefiting from its proximity to the largest private dry port in the region."

King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) is located in the heart of the Kingdom's energy sector, providing direct connectivity to key operational and logistics corridors, enhancing the efficiency of movement, storage, and handling of materials across various stages of the value chain in the energy and industrial sectors.