Saudi Arabia’s SAL Logistics Expands Globally with New China Partnership

Editorial Team

Last updated 31-10-2025

3 min

SAL Logistics Services has partnered with TAM Group to enhance cargo ties with China.

This marks SAL's first international expansion, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals.

The deal aims to streamline supply chains, leveraging Saudi Arabia's strategic location.

Combining SAL's expertise and TAM's reach promises to boost global trade networks.

The partnership emphasizes tech integration, with digital innovations in logistics gaining importance.

SAL Logistics Services has taken a bold step beyond Saudi borders, signing a strategic partnership with TAM Group to solidify air cargo ties between the Kingdom and China. The agreement—which took place during the Transport Logistic Southeast Asia Exhibition in Singapore, a kind of who’s who gathering of the global logistics scene—marks SAL’s very first international expansion. And that’s no small feat.

SAL, long recognised as Saudi Arabia’s frontrunner in cargo handling and logistics, is now eyeing China’s vast market to boost trade flows and meet the surging demand from e-commerce and other booming sectors. The collaboration aims to make supply chains between the two nations smoother and faster, a goal that fits neatly within the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.

Omar Hariri, SAL’s CEO, called the move a milestone, saying the partnership gives Chinese firms a direct route into the Saudi market, and vice versa. The idea is to use the Kingdom’s enviable geographical position—sitting pretty between Asia, Europe, and Africa—to build what could become a major global distribution hub. Alvin Tam from TAM Group added that combining SAL’s on-the-ground capabilities with TAM’s global reach would help widen international freight networks and unlock new business links.

If you ask me, it’s quite spot on timing. The logistics sector is getting seriously competitive, and this deal feels less like a cautious dip of the toes and more like a confident cannonball into deeper global waters. I’ve seen plenty of startups and midsized firms across MENA dreaming of this kind of global leap, and, honestly, it’s inspiring to watch a local player like SAL make it happen. As we often say here at Arageek, it’s moves like this that keep the region buzzing with possibility.

China, of course, remains a colossal trade hub—any firm with serious logistics ambitions can’t really afford to ignore it. For SAL, teaming up with TAM Group (a company known for its flexibility and innovative service approach) could well be the ticket to faster growth. On the flip side, expanding into new markets is never a walk in the park. Navigating regulatory landscapes, juggling time zones, and building trust across cultures can be a bit of a faff, even for seasoned players. But if this partnership delivers what both sides promise, it could streamline cargo operations and make trade between Asia and the Middle East slicker than ever.

And believe it or not, it’s not just about planes and parcels. The collaboration also hints at the growing importance of technological integration—digital tracking, smart warehousing, AI-driven logistics—areas Saudi firms are definately starting to invest more heavily in.

So yes, this isn’t just a story about an international expansion. It’s another small but telling sign that Saudi Arabia’s logistics vision is taking tangible shape. As someone who’s spent plenty of time writing about MENA’s startup space, I reckon such cross-border moves will pave the way for regional businesses to think bigger, go further, and trade smarter.

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