SITL Dubai 2011, the leading event in the transport and logistics industry in the Middle East, will include ‘eco-logistics’ as a new segment, organisers said.

The new component will be spotlighted in an event for the first time in the region, said Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the regional arm of one of the leading organisers of trade and consumer exhibitions.

It will focus on creating environmental awareness for the transport and logistics sector and reflect its need to effectively incorporate this key element into the business objectives and strategies.

Eco-logistics will also shed light on cooperation between different stakeholders, integrated logistics systems, as well as alternative fuels, fuel reduction and eco-logistics sector planning optimisation.

To be held from May 31 to June 2, 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, SITL Dubai 2011 will comprise five sectors – transport and logistics, logistics infrastructure, logistics real estate, information systems and technologies and, for the first time, eco-logistics.

“We are pleased to add an important sector to this year’s edition, which conforms to our vision of contributing to environmental awareness,” said Mohamad Bader Eddin, show director, SITL Dubai.

“We will introduce new solutions and innovations that will not only enrich the transport and logistics industry but help make it more eco-friendly,” he added.

The eco-logistics sector at SITL Dubai, adapted to suit the region, is a replica of the same sector at SITL France.

David Puech, project manager of ECO Transportation and Logistics, SITL France, said: “Environmental awareness needs to be accorded a more significant role to help develop the transport and logistics industry.”

“Transport in general can represent up to 75 per cent of a company’s carbon footprint and our main challenge is to educate and ensure that relevant information is available to all,” he added.

In a recent survey published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, nearly 29 per cent of the respondents preferred improving efficiency of supply chain operations and logistics to make companies ‘green’.

The market has been responding to this key issue and is currently facing a growing demand for more sustainable operations. Green logistics focuses on reducing energy use to lower costs and improve supply chain operations. – TradeArabia News Service