Saloodo!, DHL’s logistics start-up, will be rolled out across most of the Middle East by the end of the year.
Launched in Europe two years ago, Saloodo! will initially be available in the UAE and plans to serve customers throughout the Middle East.
Saloodo!’s digital freight platform – available thus far to shippers, dispatchers and carriers in Europe – will now be available to users in the Gulf region for domestic transport and international freight, said the company in statement.
“Saloodo!’s success on the German and European market has demonstrated the benefits of a digital solution,” said Saloodo!’s European CEO Thomas Grunau. “It allows shippers and transport providers to find each other more easily, and makes road freight processes more transparent and efficient.
“Especially given the strong growth of the logistics market in the Middle East, we feel this is just the right place to begin offering our solution beyond the EU and develop it further.”
Saloodo! gives customers access to end-to-end digital handling of their items (without lengthy price negotiations on the telephone or contracts back and forth via fax, says Saloodo).
More than 18,000 shippers and over 7,000 carriers with more than 250,000 available trucks are already working with Saloodo! in Europe and the firm predicts that the numbers “will continue to grow as the company expands into the Middle East”.
Like similar services, Saloodo! matches shippers to transport providers while acting as the central contact for the shipping. All documents and information flow through a single platform and are available in real time.
The administrative process can also be tracked and managed digitally, including freight documents, invoices and payments. Transport providers are promised to have invoices paid within two weeks.
The Saloodo! driver app informs driver immediately of which order they will be handling, and all necessary information regarding upcoming tours is sent directly to their smartphone. Drivers can also use the app to document delivery, invoices, and any damages incurred to an item.
“Even though the UAE is one of the largest logistics markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), there remain untapped opportunities given the economic diversification and several road infrastructure investments underway,” added Tobias Maier, CEO, Saloodo! MEA. “ Equally, DHL’s deep expertise in the region and wide portfolio of service offerings will support the successful deployment of Saloodo! in the UAE, and ultimately in the Gulf region.”
