Gulftainer, a UAE-based leading global integrated trade infrastructure solutions provider, has signed a strategic agreement with United Al Saqer Heavy Equipment, one of the leading heavy equipment dealers in the UAE, for the acquisition of 1,000 trucks.
Under the agreement, the first 450 trucks are expected to be delivered before the end of November 2026, with the remaining fleet to follow in Q1 2027. The expansion will significantly increase Gulftainer’s distribution capacity and strengthen its logistics network connecting Khorfakkan to the rest of the UAE and the wider GCC region.
This landmark fleet expansion was announced alongside two major investments in KAFEZ – Khorfakkan Al Dhaid Free Economic Zone.
Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer, said: “This partnership is about building the infrastructure behind the growth. Adding 1,000 trucks strengthens our distribution backbone from Khorfakkan to the wider GCC, but the real impact is what we are building around it. By developing the East Coast’s largest truck workshop and a dedicated automotive logistics park in Al Dhaid, we are creating a fully integrated ecosystem that supports not just our fleet, but the entire trucking industry on the East Coast.”
Building the East Coast’s Largest Truck Workshop
As part of the partnership, United Al Saqer Heavy Equipment will invest in developing and operating what will be the largest state-of-the-art truck workshop on the UAE’s East Coast, located in Al Dhaid within KAFEZ.
The facility is designed to strengthen East Coast trucking infrastructure, offering large-scale maintenance, repair and fleet support capabilities for Gulftainer and the wider industry. The development will also include dedicated rest and service facilities for truck drivers.
Farid Belbouab added: “With the rapid growth of trucking activity on the East Coast, there is a clear need for modern, large-scale maintenance infrastructure. This workshop will set a new benchmark for service capacity, technology and turnaround time in the region, while also ensuring we provide proper rest and support facilities for the drivers who power our logistics network.”
100,000 sqm Dedicated Automotive Logistics Park
In addition, Gulftainer and United Al Saqer Heavy Equipment have signed an investment agreement for the development of a 100,000 sq m dedicated automotive logistics park within KAFEZ to support the group’s automotive logistics operations and distribution needs in the UAE and the region.
Gulftainer’s integrated ecosystem will enable vehicles arriving through UAE East Coast ports, including its flagship Khorfakkan Port, to move directly to Al Dhaid where they can be stored, handled and distributed, benefiting from the advantages of operating within a free zone.
Nader Al Quraan, CEO of United Al Saqer Heavy Equipment, said: “Our partnership with Gulftainer in Al Dhaid represents a natural expansion of our 40-year legacy in the UAE’s automotive sector. Combining our expertise in heavy equipment and commercial vehicles with Gulftainer’s world-class trade infrastructure will create a benchmark facility for the Middle East in terms of scale, technology and service excellence.”
The new 100,000 sq m facility will feature dedicated heavy-vehicle service bays and a central spare parts warehouse, designed to maximize fleet availability for Gulftainer and third-party customers across the region. – TradeArabia News Service