DP World has appointed Sara Falaknaz as Chief Innovation Officer with immediate effect.
Previously the VP of Innovation for DP World, Falaknaz (pictured) is determined to bring improvements to the societies engaged in the company’s global trade. Her vision is to shape the future of these communities through innovation from big data, the Internet of Things (IoT) robotics, cybersecurity and driverless vehicles. Part of Falaknaz’s role will be to make alliances and acquisitions between companies in these sectors.
The structuring of the company is currently being led by the company’s online portal called innoGate (see below video) – an internal survey of DP World’s 37,000 strong workforce across 40 countries.
Falaknaz is leading exploration of investment in breakthrough and disruptive ideas that could change how operations are conducted in the future through new technologies and working practices.
Falaknaz said: “The world is changing at a pace never seen before in our history and as an enabler of global trade the way we improve and make our business even more efficient will impact societies.
“We are in locations that manage over 50% of world trade and our role in developing innovation will shape the future leaving a legacy for future generations.”
DP World is already implementing a range of new innovations across its business from the use of drones for security, driverless electric trucks at its Rotterdam joint venture and automated quay cranes. The company is also conducting a feasibility study into the use of Hyperloop technology, a vacuum tube for increasing the speed at which goods can be carried, for an inland container terminal in Dubai to Jebel Ali port.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, said: “Sara will lead the innovation agenda we have set ourselves, promoting and investing in new ideas from within the Group and identifying external investment and acquisition opportunities in line with our strategy.
“All innovation initiatives under Sara will serve to underpin our vision to lead the future of world trade, cementing our leading status as a global trade enabler across the supply chain.”
An example of DP World's recent innovation was the opening of its first smart logistics centre in Lurin, Peru, connected through an optical fibre network to its terminal at Callao Port, near the capital Lima.
innoGate from DP World (with English subtitles) from DP World on Vimeo.
