Riyadh - NAQEL (Riyadh, Head Office)

NAQEL, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, operates as a Public-Private Partnership with the government holding a majority stake. Established in 1993 as a transport and distribution company, NAQEL has evolved into a comprehensive logistics and supply chain organization. In 2012, the board charted a strategic shift to transform NAQEL into a full-fledged logistics and supply chain company with aims to become a publicly listed entity within five to seven years. The company has since expanded its network and capabilities across the Kingdom, aiming to connect with broader Gulf cooperation market positions in the future. <br><br>Current footprint includes three main hubs located in the major metropolitan areas of Saudi Arabia and eight sub-hubs in secondary cities. The organization plans to construct warehouses of varying sizes to meet client needs, including temperature-controlled facilities on newly acquired land across 23 locations. NAQEL employs more than 1,500 staff and manages a fleet of over 1,400 vehicles within Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, supported by an advanced real-time Track & Trace system with handheld scanners and geo-positioning technology to enhance visibility and control over shipments. <br><br>Service breadth encompasses domestic courier and express operations for palletized cargo, positioning NAQEL as a fast express and courier provider within Saudi Arabia, delivering to 60 cities with overnight or next-day service, and standard delivery coverage to approximately 4,900 towns and villages. The company emphasizes personalized service delivered by dedicated personnel, complemented by online Track & Trace capabilities and GPS-monitored fleet management. <br><br>In international road logistics, NAQEL operates Full Truckload (FTL) and Less-than-Truckload (LTL) services between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, supported by in-house customs staff at border points. The plan to extend cargo connectivity to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reflects the strategic objective of a regional footprint, with secured vehicle movement and scheduled network access within Saudi Arabia. <br><br>Customs-related operations include in-house brokerage services and a bonded warehouse of approximately 10,000 square meters at Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport, along with efficient document control and recording mechanisms for customs processes. <br><br> Warehouse and distribution capabilities are being developed across 23 warehouses and terminals in Saudi Arabia, featuring ambient and temperature-controlled storage with robust security, pick-and-pack services, order assembly, and distribution. Clients can access warehouse management system (WMS) data online for stock visibility and dispatch planning. Retail expansion is ongoing, with three active retail outlets and several more under construction. <br><br>Pharma logistics is a notable vertical, with 14 trailers dedicated to temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transport, and continuous temperature monitoring and record-keeping practices to ensure product safety. The company pursued GxP (Good Distribution Practice / Good Transportation Practice) certification with a target date around 2014 to formalize quality standards for pharmaceutical handling. <br><br>Home delivery and e-fulfillment services are offered for personalized door-to-door deliveries, including residential COD (cash on delivery) fulfillment, supporting ecommerce end-customer experiences. <br><br>NAQEL’s freight forwarding portfolio includes Air Freight and Sea Freight services slated to commence by mid-2014, with initial focus on connecting Saudi Arabia with key markets such as India, China, and the United States. While the Saudi market remains the primary consignee selling market, the expansion strategy envisions broadening international cargo flows to and from the region. Additionally, the company has outlined plans for Project Forwarding activities to commence in 2015. <br><br>Overall, NAQEL’s Saudi-based operations emphasize a diversified logistics platform—covering domestic express, international road freight, customs services, warehousing, pharma logistics, and e-commerce fulfillment—supported by technology-enabled visibility and a goal of expanding across the GCC network.