KUWAIT’S NEW LOGISTICAL PARK TO SPUR INVESTMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Kuwait Ports Authority Chief-Sheikh Yousef Al Abdullah Al Sabah has cited Kuwait Ports Authority’s (KPA) plans to optimize metropolitan logistical activities. The Ports Authority has sought out recently acquired lands to prop up local trade and lure more foreign investment into the country. The proposed logistics cities’ land stretches over two million square meters.

Logistics Cities
In a recent interview, Sheikh Yousef Al Abdullah Al Sabah added that the planned “logistics cities” would serve a particular purpose. These logistics zones will prove beneficial in three ways, one being a support for fledgling small and medium- sized enterprises, second as a place where products are traded, and third as lucrative investment opportunities to firms abroad. Global design agencies design the logistics cities to ensure high standards that will support e-commerce.

Sheikh Yousef Al Abdullah Al Sabah highlighted two projects in the pipeline. “The first project is a maritime single window system that links three ports together for efficiency. The second “smart port” project will connect the systems of all related parties to release and secure the flow of goods electronically thereby converting the facility into a “contact point” linking all concerned bodies, apart from using automation and innovative technologies to manage the day-to-day operations.”

Turning Kuwait into a Trading Hub
Kuwait is all set to turn into a re-export and shipping center to neighboring countries. Offering a logistical solution at competitive prices, this move will also churn out job opportunities for citizens in the storage, artificial intelligence, and logistics sector. Sheikh Yousef said, “Meanwhile KPA will establish its first dry port to serve the flow of goods which will reduce the accumulation of trucks on the borders.”

When asked about the Kuwait Port Authority’s revenues, he stressed that the last six years pushed the total assets to USD 186 million, which is an increase worth 400 percent, and an accomplishment attributed to meticulous and intricate planning. The mishaps at sea and the unprepared-for pandemic brought a large part of the global trade to a standstill, but now with the proposed logistics cities, he was expecting stranded ships to be on the move and once again pick up the business where it left off.

CSS TO IMPLEMENT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AS A SOLUTION BY ETISALAT

CSS’s top management team met with Etisalat for the initial discussions to implement the Etisalat Video Surveillance as a Solution (VSAAS) along with a Smart Messaging Platform. Etisalat Video Surveillance as a Solution provides business enterprises with value-added services that address their security and regulatory compliance requirements.

Enabled by the state-of-the-art onsite video surveillance technology that will be deployed at CSS, Etisalat can proactively use, manage, troubleshoot, and support this solution. Hamad Mohammed Al Marzooqi, VP of Etisalat Managed SMB, Khalid M Yateem, Director of Etisalat Managed SMB and Jithesh Vijakumar, Sales Manager, Etisalat attended the meeting, along with the CSS team, which included Chandrakala, Krishna Kaladharan, Susanth Shekar, Pothen Thomas, and Arun Snehajan. A visit to the Innovation Center has also been scheduled for the near future.

The first-of-its-kind video surveillance solution in the UAE, this one-stop solution, is for all our video surveillance needs. From end-to-end managed services, security surveillance with analytics, web and mobile access, business intelligence and upgradable cloud storage, other features include end to end managed services, heat maps, people counting, a security system, and a queuing management solution.

Enabling this solution at the CSS office premises will help us manage our business more efficiently while increasing our business productivity. This partnership resounds with Etisalat’s tagline, which says, ‘Your business grows with us.’ Enabling this solution will increase the safety and security of our premises, resources, and assets and allow us to optimize our operations.

Uncompromised Professionalism

CSS KINGSTON- A SUCCESS STORY FROM SHARJAH

The joint venture initiative of CSS Group and Kingston Holdings, CSS Kingston Logistics is sailing through its third year of operations successfully. With its strategic positioning inside the SAIF zone, CSS Kingston Logistics FZC (CKL), has got a significant role when it comes to service catering to the Northern Emirates region.

Initial focal area of CKL was Storage and warehousing within the SAIF Zone, however the company has grown to become the only authorised 3PL service provider today in the whole free zone area, with 110,000 Sq. ft racked facility. The racked space and infrastructure also comprise of a temperature-controlled area of 37,000 Sq. ft as well which is in high demand when it comes to storage of perishable items, furniture and other general commodities.

Catering to the Northern Emirates has never been so easy for CSS Group, till they had CSS Kingston in the right place. The fully integrated Supply chain processes, reverse logistics and the 3PL facilities within the system is controlled by highly experienced hands to ensure zero chaos. More than 15,000 CBM of cargo storage can easily be managed within the racked facilities of CKL.

“We know that the heart and soul of a successful business is a well-designed supply chain. The efficiency of product fulfilment throughout the shipping process is what drives revenue and increases your bottom line. Hence, we are committed to provide the highest quality 3PL services to our customers always” mentioned Thomas Mathew, Branch Manager, CKL.

Projects and over dimensional cargo go to the CKL open yard, a sprawling 45,000 Sq. ft, interlocked facility within the SAIF Zone. Well defined processes and infallible security system ensures a safe storage of your cargo here. The documentation division of CKL can manage Customs clearance in SAIF zone, Sharjah Aviation Services (SAS), Khorfakkan, Sharjah ICD, Sharjah Port (Khalid Port), thereby providing an enjoyable end- to end service to their clients. The well reputed names in the list of clients of CSS Kingston Logistics is an endorsement to their uncompromised professionalism in the area which they operate.

ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE CAP

CSS COMPLETES PROJECTS MOVE BEFORE THE TIME COMMITTED

An extraordinary feeling was evident on the faces of the Projects team of CSS, when they received the letter of appreciation from the client, for successfully completing a major project movement for the HSS Consortium Al- Zour refinery project, before the time committed. Of course, that was not the first instance though.

Ahmed Fuad and his team had spent 87 harsh days with utmost perseverance for moving 70,000 tonnes of coated pipes, of both 10 and 30 inches, and 4 cable drums of 85 tonnes each. “It was particularly pleasing for me and my team to see the customer benefitting from joining hands with CSS Group. It was a testing time again for my team yet a great example of the level of service CSS is able to deliver for our clients when it comes to challenging projects” mentioned Ahmed Fuad, Senior Business Development Manager, Projects Oil & Energy division, CSS Group.

The movement of the cargo started from the storage area to a private boat jetty. The scope of the work included, loading, transportation and offloading on to the barges. The cargo was then fastened on to the barges which demanded high level of technical skills. Altogether there were 16 barges on duty for carrying the cargo to the destination in Kuwait. The usual pre-move surveys, and technical testing were done by the survey team of the Projects department. The expected time of projects completion was 100 days which was committed before the move to the client, however, CSS could successfully cross the finishing line in 87 days.

“Our team brought in another accolade by successfully displaying exemplary skills and exceeding the client satisfaction. Each project gives us a chance to add a new lesson to our experience. This project was an example of how dedication and commitment can add value to the jobs undertaken.” Commented Raj George, Senior Vice President, Projects Oil & Energy division, CSS Group.

FPS AGM at Jakarta


CSS Group representatives attended the recently concluded FPS AGM and conference at Jakarta.
The CSS Group was represented by Siby Kurian, Senior GM, Sales & Marketing and Thomas Mathew, Manager Pricing and Key Information Department, CSS Dubai, Jairam KR, Director, CSS India, Narayan R T, General Manager, CSS Bahrain and Dean Landers, General Manager, CSS Kuwait.
FPS Group – one of the largest and longest-established forwarding groups in the world – is to change its constitution to allow multiple memberships in each territory. The decision was reached at this year’s AGM and Conference, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, and was attended by representatives of the network’s global membership.
Advisory Board Chairman Sam Aparo, co-owner of one of the network’s founding members, told delegates that the original FPS Group policy of one member per country was no longer the best model. Although it had been very successful since its launch in 1998, “The strength we once had is now our weakness,” he said.
“If we have multiple members in each market, it means we all have multiple choices. It’s not just more members, it’s also about quality and additional opportunities. We should not be afraid of competition,” he continued.
“Networking at the FPS AGM and conference always provides an opportunity to meet new members from some of the geographical regions where we do think about exploring in the near future and hence CSS finds it very fruitful to be at this gathering” commented Siby Kurian.
FPS will also embark on an aggressive expansion programme in 2016, to fill gaps in its existing geographic coverage. Speaking after the conference, Sam Aparo added: “2016 is the year of expansion for our network. We have a tremendous and unrivalled asset in the quality, size, reputation and business base of FPS Group. New members will immediately benefit from this, as well as opening up new opportunities for the whole group.”
Aparo added that there had never been a better time for agents to join a quality network, enabling them to counteract falling margins with increased reciprocal sales and more professional marketing. “There is strength in numbers; both more effective marketing, and the opportunity to share its costs over a larger number of participants.”
“In a very uncertain global economic scenario we face, it’s extremely important to have regular overhauling of your contacts to keep the business lively and aggressive. CSS India has always utilised the opportunity of interacting at the FPS, from day one onwards and we have found it very useful” mentioned Jairam K R.

Transhipment to Kuwait AZIMUT 64

CSS Group’s Yacht and Marine Division, headed by VP Business Development Ken Dinnadge in Dubai, recently undertook a complex Yacht and Marine Logistics transhipment operation to Kuwait. An AZIMUT 64 was arranged with complete vessel discharge to water at Dubai’s Jebel Ali port for onward movement to Kuwait. This operation required close coordination between various CSS divisions, the Jebel Ali Port as well as with the actual customer. Commenting on the recent successful shipment, Ken added, “The yacht and marine shipment was successfully executed from start to finish and I would like to thank all of the divisions involved for their utmost support and cooperation. The complexity of the shipment was a true testament of everyone’s commitment to a seamless end delivery and is the cornerstone of the Group’s success.”