The Middle East Energy 2025, the region’s leading industry summit, opened its doors today (April 7) in Dubai drawing more than 1,600 energy suppliers from across the globe who will be showcasing their latest innovations and new-to-market technologies.

 

Supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, this year marks the 49th edition of Middle East Energy, the region’s leading energy summit. 

 

Running until April 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre, more than 150 energy leaders and experts are exploring transformative sector innovations, global energy market dynamics, and how Artificial Intelligence is helping enable a sustainable, affordable energy future.

 

It was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in the presence of senior officials.

 

Speaking during the opening tour, Sheikh Ahmed highlighted the significance of Middle East Energy 2025 in supporting the transition to sustainable energy and enhancing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation in the energy sector. 

 

He also emphasised that the exhibition serves as a leading platform for bringing together prominent experts and local and international companies to showcase the latest innovations shaping the future of the energy industry.

 

"The continued organisation of Middle East Energy for a 49th consecutive year in Dubai reflects international confidence in the emirate as a strategic centre for conferences and exhibitions, and reinforces its role in leading the global dialogue on energy security and sustainability," he stated.

 

In the opening sessions of the Leadership Summit, a keynote speech from Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, outlined the UAE’s plans to make its grid one of the cleanest in the world by 2030 through renewable mega-projects in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

 

The inaugural edition of The Battery Show, which runs alongside Middle East Energy 2025, saw its three-day conference officially open with a presentation into the power of government and industry partnerships to boost green mobility adoption.

 

More than 40,000 global energy professionals, including more than 500 key buyers, are expected to visit DWTC before April 9 to explore industry innovations from more than 90 countries, said its organisers  Informa Markets. 

 

Sixteen halls, with 17 international pavilions within them, are packed with solutions spanning the full energy value chain, from power generation and storage to clean mobility and smart grid technologies.

 

Mark Ring, Group Director, Energy Events at Informa Markets, said this year’s event is providing a critical platform to secure stability and identify new opportunities in the energy sector. 

 

"The next three days will feature key discussions, as signalled by the calibre of discussions that are taking place throughout the first day, all of which are critical to navigating how market dynamics, AI, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) will help in achieving the global energy market’s goals for a sustainable future," he noted.

 

"With the addition of The Battery Show, the 49th edition of Middle East Energy is bringing the global industry together to discuss how we can holistically shape the future of energy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Global tonnage improved +3% in the April 7 to April 13 period after the previous week’s drop of -7% as markets that had closed for the Eid-Al Fitr holiday came back on stream, but comparison with last year’s developments for this holiday indicates that this constituted less than half of the decline in week 14, which suggests that demand has been further afflicted by uncertainty about the trade conflict triggered by the US government, according to WorldACD. 

 

After the Eid holiday volumes rebounded in double-digit percentages week on week (WoW) out of Africa (+13%) and Middle East & South Asia (MESA, +12%), while tonnage increased +4% out of Asia Pacific and +3% out of Central and South America, whereas Europe and North America origins registered declines of -1% and -2% respectively, it stated. 

 

The comparison of the last two weeks with the previous two weeks shows a worldwide decline of -6% in chargeable weight, down from a -4% 2Wo2W slip in week 14. 

 

However, year on year (YoY) global tonnage was at +9%, based on the last two weeks, up from a +7% in our previous report, but this positive trend is caused by the Eid festival that took place in week 15 last year, it stated.

 

According to WorldACD, the upward momentum in worldwide pricing seen in recent weeks hit a wall, retreating from $2.50 in week 14 to $2.48 (-1%), which slowed the 2Wo2W momentum from +3% last week to +2%. 

 

The uncertainty over trade conditions has caused companies to postpone investment and sourcing decisions until there is more clarity, and in some cases to cancel orders. This has dented demand, while capacity increased +1% on a 2Wo2W basis. 

 

Compared to a year ago pricing in week 15 was still slightly up (+2%), based on the more than 500,000 weekly transactions covered by WorldACD’s data.

 

North America was the only origin region that registered increased pricing week on week, up +4%. 

 

Rates were flat out of Europe and Central & South America, and fell by -2% from Asia Pacific, -3% from Africa and -4% from MESA. 

 

The -2% WoW rate decline out of Asia Pacific was largely the result of the post-Eid recovery of traffic within the region and to MESA, that have lower-than-average rates, also driving down the global average rate. Pricing from Asia Pacific to North America rose +6% on a 2Wo2W basis, while tonnage on the sector sank -5%, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

AJEX Logistics Services, a leading Middle East-based specialist in express distribution and shipping solutions, was named ‘Last-Mile Provider of the Year’ at the Logistics and Transport KSA Awards 2025. 

 

The award ceremony, which brought together the Kingdom’s top logistics players, took place at the Voco, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The award was accepted on behalf of AJEX by Chief E-Commerce Officer, Ken Robertson, and Director of E-Commerce Operations in Saudi Arabia, Vladimir Rulevoy.

 

This latest recognition underscores the rapid rise of AJEX in the logistics sector and its growing role in shaping the future of last-mile delivery in the kingdom. Since launching operations in 2021, AJEX has built a strong reputation for fast, reliable, and innovative customer-focused solutions—attributes which have become essential in today’s fast-growing eCommerce-driven economy, the company said.

 

“We are delighted to be recognized at the Logistics and Transport KSA Awards 2025 as the leading last-mile provider in Saudi Arabia,” said Ken Robertson, Chief E-Commerce Officer at AJEX. “At AJEX, we pride ourselves on our customer-centric and tech-driven approach, which continues to fuel our success. Today, we are proud to lead the market, setting new benchmarks for speed, reliability, and innovation in the last-mile sector.” 

 

With operations spanning the kingdom and beyond, AJEX offers a full suite of last mile services tailored to the needs of both B2C and B2B clients. B2C solutions include eCommerce Express, eCommerce Same Day, and eCommerce Reverse Pick-up, while B2B solutions include parcel and palletized road services to FTL and industrial solutions. 

 

Backed by a robust logistics infrastructure — comprising over 1,000 vehicles, 60+ facilities, seven transportation hubs, and a workforce of more than 1,800 team members, AJEX has a high-performance network designed to ensure the reliable and timely delivery of critical shipments across urban and remote areas in support of Vision 2030 goals. - TradeArabia News Service