Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Author
On the road to zero emissions, global logistics leader A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and consumer goods giant Unilever are joining forces to launch their first electric van in Saudi Arabia.
This pioneering initiative is an important milestone in decarbonising logistics operations in the Kingdom, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes annually and increase renewable energy usage to 50%.
This launch is the beginning of a broader transformation. Both companies aim to scale electric mobility across Saudi operations and explore additional innovations, including solar-powered warehousing and intermodal transport solutions.
The electric van will exclusively serve the BinDawood Group, one of Unilever’s key retail partners, operating within a 50 km radius and covering up to 3,500 km per month. This deployment follows Unilever and Maersk’s successful consolidation of warehouses into a single fulfilment centre at Maersk’s Logistics Park in Jeddah, already delivering a 5% emissions reduction. This reduction is enabled by the Park’s strong sustainability infrastructure, including a 64,000 sqm rooftop solar plant and an advanced cooling system using natural refrigerant (Ammonia) and seawater instead of potable water.
“This is the first van deployment in our Saudi fleet, and it represents our commitment to reducing logistics-related emissions wherever feasible. This is another building block of our emission reduction plans in partnership with Maersk. The electric van, combined with solar energy charging infrastructure, means we practically reduce emissions by 100% compared to a conventional truck. We’re proud to introduce this innovation in Saudi Arabia, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and joining global efforts. By improving efficiency and cutting emissions, we strengthen sustainability while delivering greater value to our customers,” said Ahmed Kadous, Head of Customer Operations, Unilever Middle East, Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
The initiative showcases the strength of the Maersk-Unilever partnership, with both companies working collaboratively on infrastructure readiness, operational planning, and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful implementation.
“As electric vehicle technology advances and charging infrastructure expands across Saudi Arabia, we’re seeing more opportunities to deploy emission-free trucks in place of diesel units. We’re proud to partner with forward-thinking customers like Unilever, who are committed to decarbonising logistics solutions that deliver value throughout their supply chain”, Ahmed El Esseily, Managing Director at Maersk Saudi Arabia.
