SHIPPING LINES-

Logistics giant AP Moller-Maersk intends to add Sohar Port to its Shaheen Express shipping service,connecting it with Jebel Ali in the UAE and Mundra and Pipavav in India, to strengthen the India-UAE-Oman corridor, according to a statement. The new service will see improvements in transit times for several inbound corridors, including Port Said and Sokhna Port in Egypt, Port Qasim in Pakistan, Kolkata Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India, and a number of European ports, according to the statement. The Shaheen Express line will help strengthen trade between India and the UAE, which has been surging since the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was launched in May, the statement said. The shipping line will include two vessels with a capacity of 2.8k TEUs.

LAST MILE-

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) has deployed a fleet of 600 motorbikes for delivery services via smart platforms and apps for commercial enterprises in the private sector, according to a statement by Dubai’s Road Transport Authority. The DTC intends to increase the number of motorbikes to 990 by the end of the year, according to the statement. The delivery service aims to “provide new growth prospects for commercial businesses,” DTC CEO Mansoor Al Falasi said in the statement.

INVESTMENT-

Russia to divide its SCZone industrial zone, pending approval: Russia is waiting on approval from Egyptian MPs to divide its industrial area at the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) into two parts — one near Port Said at the north end of the Canal and one to the south at Ain Sokhna — TASS reports citing Russian Ambassador to Cairo Georgy Borisenko. Construction on the zone can begin once MPs give their sign-off, Borisenko said.

SUEZ CANAL-

Adani Group discusses Suez Canal projects: Suez Canal Economic Zone Chairman Walid Gamal El Din discussed cooperation projects in ports, renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure withSudipta Bhattacharya, CEO of Indian conglomerate Adani Group, according to an SCZone statement shared with the press. Adani Group founder Gautam Adani met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi earlier this year to discuss potential investment in our infrastructure.

E-COMMERCE-

FedEx and global supply chain solutions provider Floship have partnered to provide fulfillment and logistics services to e-commerce retailers worldwide, according to a press release. The partnership will create an end-to-end digitalized fulfillment and last-mile delivery returns solution, as well as inventory management, to enhance operational efficiency to customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific, the statement said. The partnership will be funded by investments from FedEx’s early stage investor arm FedEx Innovation Lab, although no investment amount has been disclosed.

The partnership will provide growing e-commerce brands and retailers with a “one-stop, all-inclusive two-way supply chain,” Floship CEO Joshua Tsui commented in the statement. The partnership will enable FedEx’s ecommerce customers to streamline their fulfillment operations through access to Floship's network of warehouse and logistics platforms, while Floship’s customers will be able to leverage FedEx’s global network and transportation to optimize their operations.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • Retail group Magrabi has inked an agreement with technology company SAP to use its data service SAP Datasphere, to optimize its supply chain. (Zawya)
  • The Damietta Port Authority has signed a contract for the construction and supply of four new tugboats with a towing capacity of 70 tons. (Statement)
  • A Qatari delegation visited Saudi Arabia to explore enhancing customs relations and exchange expertise last week. (Al Sharq)
  • Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan held a meeting on the Istanbul-Tehran-IslamabadCargo Trainproject, where they discussed the digitization of procedures between countries along the corridor. (Mehr News Agency)
  • Iraqi Republic Railwayshas inked a contract with the State Company for the Implementation of Transport Projects to renovate a 12 km railway line linking the Daura oil refinery to Iraqi ports. (Statement)
  • The Saudi Transport Authority has greenlit 15 licensing and technical guides for rail transport activities to boost transport quality and safety. (Statement)
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