Maersk and Unilever launch Saudi Arabia’s first electric logistics van, boosting decarbonisation under Vision 2030.
In a major step toward cleaner logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk and Unilever have launched their first electric van in Saudi Arabia, marking a key milestone in the Kingdom’s ambitious journey to net-zero emissions. The initiative directly supports Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to reduce 278 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually and increase renewable energy usage to 50%.
The electric van will operate in Jeddah, exclusively serving the BinDawood Group, one of Unilever’s key retail partners. It will run within a 50 km radius, covering up to 3,500 km per month, showcasing how electric mobility can be practically integrated into urban distribution networks.
Powered by Sustainable Infrastructure
This deployment builds on Maersk and Unilever’s successful consolidation of warehouses into a single fulfilment hub at Maersk’s Logistics Park in Jeddah, already delivering a 5% emissions reduction. The park’s infrastructure includes:
- A 64,000 sq. m rooftop solar plant
- An advanced cooling system powered by natural refrigerant (Ammonia)
- Use of seawater instead of potable water to reduce resource consumption
Combined with solar-based charging, the electric van enables nearly 100% emission reduction compared to conventional diesel trucks.
Industry Voices
A Unilever spokesperson noted the importance of this milestone, stating that the van is a critical building block in reducing logistics-related emissions and aligns strongly with national sustainability goals.
Ahmed El Esseily, Managing Director, Maersk Saudi Arabia, highlighted the momentum:
“As electric vehicle technology evolves, we see more opportunities to replace diesel units with emission-free trucks. Partnering with customers like Unilever helps us deliver value while reducing environmental impact.”
Scaling Electric Mobility
This initiative is just the beginning. Maersk and Unilever plan to:
- Scale electric fleets across Saudi operations
- Expand charging infrastructure
- Explore solar-powered warehousing
- Develop intermodal transport solutions
As charging networks grow, more diesel vehicles are expected to be phased out.
Global Commitments
- Maersk already provides low-emission trucking in 14+ countries, including China, India, the USA, and throughout Europe.
- The company targets net-zero emissions globally by 2040 across its full supply chain.
- Unilever aims for net zero across the value chain by 2039, with logistics-related emissions cut by up to 50% by 2030, with electric vehicles serving as a key pillar.
About Maersk
A global leader in integrated logistics, Maersk operates in 130+ countries with 100,000 employees, driving supply chain simplification and investing in reduced-GHG-emission fuels and new technologies.
About Unilever
Present in 190+ countries, Unilever’s products are used by 3.4 billion people every day. With 128,000 employees and €60.8 billion in 2024 sales, the company is advancing sustainability across personal care, home care, food, ice cream, and beauty segments.
This pioneering deployment positions Saudi Arabia firmly on the map of future-ready, green logistics, proving that sustainability and customer value can go hand-in-hand.
Source: PR
