Maersk and Unilever Unveil Saudi Arabia’s First Electric Delivery Van

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), a Denmark-headquartered logistics and shipping company. and consumer goods giant Unilever have teamed up to launch Saudi Arabia’s first electric delivery van, a pioneering move toward decarbonizing logistics operations in the Kingdom.

This initiative directly supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually and boost the renewable energy share to 50 percent.

The launch marks the beginning of a larger transformation, as both companies intend to expand electric mobility across their Saudi operations. They are also exploring solar-powered warehouses and intermodal transport innovations to further reduce logistics-related emissions.

The newly introduced electric van will serve BinDawood Group, one of Unilever’s key retail partners. Operating within a 50 km radius, the vehicle is expected to cover up to 3,500 km per month.

This deployment follows the successful consolidation of Unilever’s warehouses into a single fulfilment centre at Maersk’s Logistics Park in Jeddah, a move that has already cut emissions by 5 percent. The facility’s 64,000 sqm rooftop solar plant and advanced ammonia- and seawater-based cooling system underscore its commitment to sustainability.

Ahmed Kadous, Head of Customer Operations, Unilever Middle East, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh, said, “This is the first van deployment in our Saudi fleet, and it represents our commitment to reducing logistics-related emissions wherever feasible. It’s another building block of our emission reduction plans in partnership with Maersk.”

Ahmed El Esseily, Managing Director at Maersk Saudi Arabia, added, “As electric vehicle technology advances and charging infrastructure expands across Saudi Arabia, we see growing opportunities to replace diesel units with emission-free trucks. We’re proud to work with forward-thinking partners like Unilever to decarbonize logistics and add value across the supply chain.”