Power list: Top logistics leaders in the Middle East

Under Al Jasser’s leadership, Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics sectors have realised remarkable achievements.

Most notably, the kingdom ascended 17 positions on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023 (LPI), ranking 38 within two years of launching the National Strategy for Transportation and Logistics Services (NTLS), a comprehensive programme aimed at positioning the kingdom as a global hub connecting three continents and enhancing its transport services.

Managing a broad portfolio of key specialised authorities and government bodies, including the Transport General Authority (TGA), the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and the Saudi Arabia Railway Company (SAR), the ministry focuses on developing the kingdom’s transport infrastructure and boosting its logistics capabilities, refining aviation policies and creating a conducive environment for travel, enhancing port capabilities and elevating the sector’s competitiveness, and optimising railway services, as well as encouraging local companies and increasing local content.

Under Al Jasser’s oversight, the road transport sector has undergone significant expansion, with a notable increase of 75,000 kilometres in the country’s road networks.

Additionally, initiatives such as the Saudi Road Code have been implemented and various road projects were executed to elevate road safety and maintenance standards.

Furthermore, Al Jasser ushered in major regulatory changes through executive legislation and decisions.

Concurrently, the ministry launched numerous business service centres across the kingdom to streamline operations and serve more than 80,000 beneficiaries.

Pioneering initiatives, including the Unified Electronic Contract for car rental services and the introduction of an automated public transport traffic violations monitoring system, have significantly contributed to enhancing the efficiency of the road transport system.

On the infrastructure front, Saudi Arabia unveiled plans to establish 59 logistics zones, with 21 already operational, as part of a nationwide infrastructure development programme aimed at stimulating business growth, attracting investments, and generating nearly $12 billion (SAR45 billion) in annual revenue by 2030.

Saudi ports have also delivered remarkable performances in 2023, marked by a record-breaking surge in container throughput throughout the year.

The air transport sector also saw substantial growth under Al Jasser’s stewardship. In 2023, GACA introduced a new aviation policy, outlining a comprehensive strategy to attract $100 billion in investments by 2030, by developing the infrastructure and fostering competition, attracting foreign investments, and contributing to diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy and catalysing growth within the kingdom’s aviation sector.

With over 30 years of experience in business management and maritime, land, and air transportation, Al Jasser played pivotal roles in advancing the kingdom’s economic aspirations.

His strategic leadership extended to key positions, including the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Shipping Company.

Moreover, he assumed various crucial positions, where he played a key role in driving the kingdom’s economic and industrial development.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Group Chairman and CEO, DP World

DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO, and Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, played an instrumental role in propelling Dubai’s economic growth.

Bin Sulayem’s expertise and visionary leadership have been crucial in the rapid expansion of Dubai’s infrastructure, including ports and free zones, significantly contributing to the UAE’s growth trajectory.

His key roles include serving as a Board Member of the Dubai Executive Council, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, and Chairman of the UAE Federal Tax Authority.

During his tenure at the helm of DP World, Bin Sulayem spearheaded various transformative ventures, particularly evident in the company’s global expansion.

Furthermore, he played a key role in developing the infrastructure supporting Dubai’s thriving tourism industry, among various other sectors.

Under his leadership, the Dubai-headquartered logistics major and global port operator achieved significant operational milestones.

In the first half of 2023, the company registered $9 billion in revenues, marking a 14% increase compared to $7.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2022.

Meanwhile, profits for the reported period stood at $885 million, with over 39,858 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled.

Spearheading DP World’s expansion strategy, Bin Sulayem orchestrated the $6.8 billion acquisition of the P&O Group in March 2006, solidifying the company’s position as a global port operator with extensive operations across six continents.

This, in turn, positioned DP World as a leading industry player, managing and operating 78 marine and inland terminals worldwide.

Additionally, Bin Sulayem oversaw the transformation of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) into a premier business hub, hosting over 8,500 companies.

Furthermore, Bin Sulayem established and led Nakheel, the real estate and tourism property development firm behind many iconic Dubai projects, including The Palm, the world’s largest man-made islands.

Beyond these milestones, Bin Sulayem founded and led Istithmar World, a key player in private equity investments spanning retail, financial services, industry, tourism and hospitality, and healthcare across key markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Over and above, he played a leading role in establishing the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a market for gold and precious metals, diamonds and coloured stones, energy, and other commodities.

Throughout his career, spanning more than three decades, Bin Sulayem’s strategic vision and effective execution have been instrumental in steering DP World’s global expansion and shaping Dubai’s economic landscape.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi

Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group

In his current capacity as the Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, the Abu Dhabi-based premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, and operator of the emirate’s commercial and community ports, along with Fujairah Terminals and KEZAD Group, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi oversees the development of the group’s extensive portfolio of assets and activities, as well as directs its strategic initiatives and operations.

Under Al Shamisi’s leadership, AD Ports has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a project-centric organisation into a fully operational, integrated business spanning five clusters: Digital, Economic Cities and Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime, and Ports.

This transformation has positioned AD Ports as a global player connecting maritime routes and international trade partners.

Furthermore, Al Shamisi played an integral role in steering the group’s initiatives aligned with the UAE’s economic diversification agenda.

Bringing nearly two decades of industry experience, Captain Al Shamisi joined AD Ports Group in 2008 and has held various key leadership roles within the organisation, including the Executive Vice President of the company’s Ports Unit, where he played a pivotal role in restructuring and rationalising its assets.

He also oversaw the successful completion and commissioning of the first phase of Khalifa Port, the company’s flagship maritime hub, and the adjoining economic and industrial zone, KEZAD.

Under his guidance, AD Ports posted strong financial results for the first nine months of 2023 (Q3) concluding on 30 September, with $2.2 billion (AED8.1 billion) in revenue, a 116% year-on-year (YoY) growth, compared to the $1 billion (AED3.7 billion) recorded in the corresponding period in 2022.

Moreover, the group posted a 14% increase in total profits, reaching $272 million (AED1 billion), in contrast to $256 million (AED941 million) in the year-ago period.

This financial success aligns with robust earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), which experienced a 30% YoY boost, reaching $571 million (AED2.1 billion) during the reporting period.

During his tenure at the helm of AD Ports, the group garnered more than 40 prestigious local and international awards, including five categories of the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance.

Beyond his leading role at AD Ports, Al Shamisi serves as the Chairman of Aramex and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), Vice Chairman of UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and is a Board Member of MAKE A WISH Foundation UAE.

Additionally, he chairs the Board of Directors at KEZAD and the Arab Sea Port Federation and has previously served as a Board Member of Etihad Airways.

Al Shamisi received several personal accolades, including the Peter Morris Prize from the Australian Maritime College (AMC) for his contributions to the maritime industry, the AMC Baird Publication Prize for Best Performance in Navigation Studies, and the Sheikh Rashid Award for Academic Excellence.

Omar Hariri

President, Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)

Hariri took the reins as the President of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) in July 2021, spearheading a transformative vision to elevate the kingdom’s port ecosystem to global industry benchmarks and stimulate growth in the country’s maritime trade sector.

In his role, Hariri oversees the operations, development, and strategy of the Middle East’s largest port network: Mawani’s extensive portfolio of 13 seaports, encompassing six commercial ports and three industrial ports housing 290 berths.

Jointly, these ports provide a combined cargo capacity of 1.1 billion tonnes, with a handling capacity of 20 million containers.

Throughout his career spanning over two decades, Hariri has held multiple executive roles across the logistics and air freight sectors, including the CEO of Saudi Arabian Logistics (SAL), Chairman of the Cargo Executive Board at the SkyTeam airline, CEO of Saudia Cargo, and Member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo Advisory Council.

Furthermore, his professional journey extends to his role as the Managing Director of Abdul Latif Jameel Transportation and encompasses various leadership positions across the express logistics sector, including the Vice President of Commercial at DHL Saudi Arabia.

Under his leadership, Mawani has achieved significant operational milestones.

These include registering record-breaking cargo throughput volumes, adding new cargo services to the ports of Jeddah, Dammam, and Jubail, and forging strategic partnerships with leading industry stakeholders to transform Saudi Arabia’s national ports into premier investment destinations.

Mudassir Sheikha

Co-founder and CEO, Careem

Sheikha is the Co-founder and CEO of Careem, the Middle East’s leading
everything app, offering a diverse range of services and solutions, from food and grocery delivery to micro-mobility, ride-hailing, and payment management, as well as third-party services such as home cleaning and car rental.

Since its inception in 2012, Careem has generated earnings for over 2.5 million Captains and enhanced the lives of over 50 million customers.

Moreover, it provided regional talents with a platform to enhance their capabilities and empowered numerous entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.

With operations in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan, the company saw exponential growth over its 11 years of operations.

In 2019, the ride-hailing major, Uber, acquired Careem for $3.1 billion, solidifying the company’s position as the largest unicorn in the Middle East.

This strategic move not only opened up new opportunities for start-ups in the Middle East but also enabled the company to attract an influx of skilled talents from across the region, marking a critical stride in its growth strategy.

In April 2023, the global technology investor, e&, became a major shareholder in Careem’s Super App, backed by a $400 million investment. Meanwhile, Uber retained full ownership of Careem’s ride-hailing business.

In his role, Sheikha spearheads the company’s expansion strategy aimed at building category-leading verticals and scaling the Super App across key international markets.

Before Careem’s inception, Sheikha served as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, contributing to the high-tech practice and advising clients globally on strategy and business-building.

Furthermore, he co-founded DeviceAnywhere, a mobile application platform company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was later acquired by Keynote Systems.

Sheikha’s academic background includes a degree in economics and computer science from the University of Southern California and a Master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University in the US.

Achraf Ellili

CEO, Flow Progressive Logistics

In his current role as the CEO of Flow Progressive Logistics Group of Companies, Ellili plays a key role in directing the group’s operations across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and the MENA regions.

Throughout his career spanning over twenty years, Ellili has steered significant advancements in operational efficiency, strategic growth, and customer relations, positioning the group as a key player within the regional logistics landscape.

Under his leadership, Flow Progressive Logistics has witnessed substantial growth and expansion.

In the fiscal year 2023, the company reported a noteworthy surge in revenue, with an increase of $26.6 million (SAR 100 million), surpassing 2022 results by 12%.

Moreover, net profits experienced a substantial $7.7 million (SAR29 million) growth, reflecting an 80% upswing compared to the preceding year.

The company’s EBITDA also exhibited an upward trajectory, marking a 60% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

Ellili’s strategic planning and collaborative approach have been instrumental in realising the company’s operational excellence, business development, and profitability targets.

His leadership approach extends beyond traditional logistics, to deliver innovative supply chain management, last-mile delivery, international shipping, warehousing, and freight solutions, enhancing the company’s service portfolio.

Throughout his tenure at the helm of Flow, characterised by a commitment to sustainability and people-centric policies, Ellili prioritised eco-friendly logistics solutions, reducing the environmental impact of operations, and boosting the company’s operational efficiency.

His people-focused approach, coupled with a strong emphasis on employee development and welfare, fostered a culture of excellence and innovation within the organisation.

This guiding principle has served as a pivotal force, inspiring Flow’s workforce and significantly contributing to the company’s success and expansive growth.

Mohsen Ahmad

CEO, Logistics District, Dubai South

In his capacity as the CEO of the Logistics District at Dubai South, Mohsen Ahmad oversees and spearheads the execution of the district’s operations, directs its financial planning, and sets its strategic targets.

Ahmad played a pivotal role in the establishment of the district’s free zone and the inception of the Dubai Logistics Corridor, which connects Jebel Ali Port to Al Maktoum International Airport via a single, custom-bonded zone, laying the foundation for future developments and ensuring the district’s sustained growth.

Additionally, he has been instrumental in the conceptualisation and development of EZDubai, a purpose-built e-commerce hub at Dubai South, established to support the expansion of the region’s e-commerce sector through state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.

Beyond his contributions to Dubai South, Ahmad has been a driving force in shaping Dubai’s e-commerce strategy, aimed at positioning the emirate as a leading hub for international e-commerce.

Drawing upon his extensive career, he assumed various prominent leadership roles at major corporations across the supply chain and logistics sectors, including Al Futtaim Logistics and Dubai Aluminum Company, where he served as the head of inbound logistics.

Ahmad holds a Bachelor’s degree in logistics and transportation from the University of Tennessee, US, and a Master of Science in logistics and supply chain management from Cranfield University School of Management, UK.

His expertise and leadership are underpinned by a steadfast commitment to advancing the e-commerce sector and driving growth within Dubai’s logistics and supply chain landscape.

Farooq Shaikh

CEO, LogiPoint

As the CEO of LogiPoint, one of the leading developers and operators of logistics parks and economic zones in Saudi Arabia, Shaikh plays an instrumental role in shaping the kingdom’s rapidly growing logistics and supply chain sectors.

Drawing upon his expertise spanning over two decades within the Middle East’s shipping and logistics industries, Shaikh has held various key leadership roles within leading organisations across the UAE, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan, before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2009.

His journey took a significant turn when he joined SISCO Group’s $533 million (SAR2 Billion) Red Sea Gateway Terminal project as a member of the core senior management team, where he orchestrated the construction, launch, and operation of Saudi Arabia’s first privately constructed state-of-the-art container terminal.

Since he took the reins of LogiPoint in 2018, Shaikh has successfully steered the organisation through the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a keen understanding of the dynamics of the logistics sector within the kingdom.

Under his strategic leadership, LogiPoint has maintained an upward growth trajectory, enhanced its offering, and expanded its operational footprint across the Saudi market, despite the challenges faced by the industry.

His leadership and response to market challenges not only ensured the company’s adaptability and resilience but also solidified its standing as a key player within the kingdom’s logistics and supply chain sectors.

Tarek Sultan

Vice Chairman, Agility

Sultan assumed the role of Agility’s Vice Chairman in 1997 and has since directed the company’s transformation into one of the leading global providers of logistics, customs digitisation, remote infrastructure, fuel logistics, and property and commercial facility management services.

Today, the Kuwait-headquartered logistics powerhouse operates in over 65 countries, boasting a workforce of over 45,000 employees.

Under Sultan’s leadership, the company delivered robust financial results in the first nine months of the 2023 fiscal year.

Agility reported revenues of $3.2 billion (KD1 billion), marking an impressive 91.5% surge from the previous year’s $1.7 billion (KD527 million).

Moreover, net profits for the same period stood at $187 million (KD57.5 million), a substantial 39% increase from the prior year’s $134 million (KD41 million).

Beyond his role at the helm of Agility, Sultan holds various other prominent positions across the industry, including serving as a Board Member of DSV A/S, a top-three global freight forwarder, and a member of the World Trade Organization’s Business Advisory Group, formed in 2023 to provide business perspectives on trade and regulation.

Moreover, he is an active supporter of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and a member of its International Business Council, comprising 120 business leaders representing global business from various industries and business sectors.

Additionally, he serves as a Steward on the WEF’s Stewardship Board of the Platform on Shaping the Future of Mobility and is a Governor of the WEF’s Supply Chain and Transport Industry Community.

Before assuming his leadership role at Agility, Sultan served as the Managing Director of New York Associates, a regional investment banking services provider, and as an Associate with Southport Partners, a US-based corporate finance advisory firm specialising in the technology sector.

His diverse background also includes roles as an Advisor to the Singapore Economic Development Board, a member of Wharton’s International Advisory Council, and a Board Member of Gulf Bank and Burgan Bank.

Sultan holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Economics from Williams College.

Christopher Cook

Managing Director—UAE, Oman and Qatar, Maersk

As the Managing Director for the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, a role he assumed in 2019, Cook plays a key role in steering Maersk’s operations and growth strategy in the region.

Under his leadership, the global provider of integrated logistics solutions has vastly expanded its footprint across the region, by establishing multiple state-of-the-art facilities and broadening its service portfolio to meet the dynamic demands of the market.

In May 2023, Maersk introduced its ocean shipping service, Al Maha, which operates across key ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco.

Additionally, in July 2023, the company inaugurated its 12,500-square-metre cold store in Dubai, marking its third Warehousing and Distribution (W&D) facility in the UAE.

Throughout his extended career at Maersk spanning over two decades, Cook has held various senior roles within the company, including the Global head of the Lifestyle Industry Vertical, and the Global Account Director of one of the leading sports apparel and footwear accounts.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Logistics from the University of Cardiff in the UK.