Logistics Institute partners with Morocco freight operator SNTL
Prof Ramudhin says collaboration is a first for the Logistics Institute.
EXPERTS from the University of Hull are embarking on a new partnership with the leading logistics service provider in Morocco.
Staff from the University’s Logistics Institute are set to begin work immediately on two supply chain and logistics related projects, as part of a long-term collaboration with state-owned but privately managed transport company SNTL.
Initially, the company and the Logistics Institute will be jointly developing a new logistics hub index.
The index will be used to measure the potential of countries, particularly in Africa, to become logistics hubs and taps into the Logistics Institute’s extensive expertise and research in this field.
The joint venture to develop the index was agreed after Prof Amar Ramudhin, Director of the Logistics Institute, visited Morocco to give a talk on emerging trends in the logistics sector.
Professor Ramudhin said: “This collaboration will give the University visibility in a modern, rapidly developing country in a key location for international trade.
“Currently, we don’t have a profile in French-speaking countries in Africa, so in that respect, it’s a first. For the Logistics Institute, it brings added credibility to be able to showcase our expertise in emerging countries such as Morocco. It builds on the work I have done before with Georgia Tech Panama to position that country as the logistics hub of the Americas.”
The Logistics Institute and SNTL are also planning a follow up project where they will use the index to map the logistics capabilities of countries across Africa.
Professor Ramudhin said they are looking to develop a “tighter relationship” with SNTL, which could see key employees coming for further studies in Hull.
SNTL was founded in 1937 and is the leading company for freight transportation and warehousing in Morocco, with more than 20-million tonnes of goods transported each year and an annual turnover of more than £60-million.
