RAIL-

Oman and Etihad Rail Company and Brazilian mining firm Vale are looking into connecting Vale’s facilities in Oman and the UAE via rail, according to a press release. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work on developing “integrated logistical solutions” to ship iron ore and derivatives from Vale’s industrial hub in Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone to a network of factories and distribution points in Vale’s “planned mega-industrial complex” in the UAE, according to the release.

About Oman and Etihad Rail Company: Etihad Rail and Oman Rail signed an agreement late last year to create The Oman and Etihad Rail Company. The entity is co-owned by Oman and the UAE’s governments and yields USD 3 bn in capital slated for the design, development, and operation of railways linking Oman’s Sohar Port with the UAE’s national railway network. The transport link between the UAE and Oman, first announced in September, is aimed at bolstering trade between the two countries and the region. The rail line will serve both passenger and freight trains.

MARITIME-

SCA + Alexandria Shipyard to build two tugboats:The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has inked an agreement with Alexandria Shipyard, a subsidiary of Egypt’s military-owned Marine Industries and Services Organization, for the construction and supply of two tugboats, Al Borsa reports. The tugboats, which will be designed by Norwegian marine solutions provider Kongsberg Maritime will be 71.6m long, 18.5m wide, and will be able to pull vessels weighed up to 190 tonnes, according to the news outlet.

SOUND SMART- A tugboat is a vessel that moves other vessels around by pulling or pushing them through direct contact or a tow line.

AVIATION-

Indian logistics solutions providerMahindra Logistics has launched cargo charter operations in the Middle East, with headquarters based out of Dubai, according to a press release.The company will partner with customers in the electronics, consumer durables, pharma, and engineering sectors, and will service the MENA region with dedicated aircrafts, the company said.

Hexcel inaugurates expansion of manufacturing plant in Morocco: Aeronautic Manufacturer Hexcel inaugurated an expansion of its manufacturing plant in Morocco to accommodate increased demand from the aerospace industry for lightweight advanced composites, Moroccan state news agency Map Newsreports. The expansion will double the size of the plant, which is located in the Midparc Free Trade Zone in Casablanca, to 24k square meters. Its workforce is also expected to increase from 145 employees to around 400. The plant turns lightweight honeycomb materials into engineered core parts that are used for lightweight aerospace parts like engine nacelles and helicopter blades.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • Sharjah-based budget airlineAir Arabiawill launch daily direct flights between Sharjah andBangkok starting 30 June. (Statement)
  • Wizz Airwill introduce four flights fromEgypt’s Sphinx Airport to Italy starting mid-June.(Egypt Independent)
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