How UK’s Unipart Taps into Saudi Arabia's Logistics & Giga Projects
UK logistics leader Unipart is strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom accelerates investment in transport infrastructure and giga projects.
Last year, Saudi Arabia’s logistics market reached $136.3 billion and is projected to surge to $198.9 billion by 2030. The potential to tap into this fast-growing sector has been urgent, driven by reforms, incentives, and tax breaks that are unlocking new pathways for private investment and global expertise.
As the Kingdom works to enhance its technical capabilities and expand delivery capacity, it continues to attract leading global logistics players seeking a foothold in the region.
Over the years, Saudi Arabia has firmly established itself as a gateway market for global logistics and supply chain operators, unlocking new opportunities for growth and value creation.
One such company is Unipart Group, a UK-based global provider of manufacturing, logistics, and consultancy services across multiple industries. Unipart’s business expansion into the Kingdom was facilitated by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform supporting international firms to start a company in Saudi Arabia and operate legally in the local market.
Riding the Wave of Saudi Arabia’s Logistics Boom Under Vision 2030
Unipart, which operates a network of hubs in over 20 countries, has identified Saudi Arabia as a core market for enhancing its regional operations. Speaking about the company’s growing presence in the Kingdom, Tahir Malik, Country Director at Unipart, shared insights on the evolving logistics landscape and the pathways toward innovation and sustainable development.
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector plays a central role in driving both domestic and international trade by strengthening multimodal transport networks across air, sea, rail, and road. The sector’s contribution to national GDP is expected to rise from 6%, equivalent to SAR 20.1 billion ($5.5 billion), to 10% by 2030.
The rapid expansion of e-commerce and retail has also spurred unprecedented demand for logistics facilities, with warehouse capacity increasing by 267% since 2021.
By investing in logistics hubs and leveraging its strategic geographic position, Saudi Arabia is accelerating industrial growth and reinforcing its position within global supply chains. This progress was recognized in the World Bank’s 2023 Global Logistics Performance Index, where the Kingdom climbed 17 ranks to reach 38th out of 139 countries.
Expansion Across Giga Projects Strengthens Unipart’s On-Ground Presence
Unipart’s expansion was not without challenges. Malik recalled that navigating business setup in Saudi Arabia posed difficulties for foreign companies unfamiliar with local procedures. However, partnering with AstroLabs provided crucial support and guidance throughout the end-to-end process.
“Saudi Arabia, or the wider Middle East, was a completely new environment for us. Having a partner who knows the ins and outs of every single ministry—that local knowledge from AstroLabs—is helping drive success for us,” Malik said.
Saudi Arabia’s strategic location also gives it a natural edge, as it “sits at the crossroads of three continents—Asia, Europe, and Africa—making it a major global logistics hub. At the same time, the government is investing $150 billion into logistics.”
Since entering the market, Unipart has formed joint ventures with strategic partners to accelerate the adoption of scalable and sustainable supply chain solutions. Among its notable projects is the $500 billion NEOM development, which will feature the Kingdom’s first fully integrated port and supply chain ecosystem designed to enhance productivity and global competitiveness.
Beyond giga-projects like NEOM, Saudi Arabia is also launching a network of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to boost industrialization and strengthen domestic supply chains.
With a thriving investment climate and strong government support for the logistics and supply chain sectors, the Kingdom stands as a prime destination for global players like Unipart, helping triple industrial output and raise exports to over $149 billion by 2030.
