SHIPPING + MARITIME-

The UAE’s Energy and Infrastructure Ministry and Norway-based classification society DNV will establish the region’s first maritime decarbonization center in the UAE,Emirati news agency WAMreports. The center will drive research, innovation and collaboration to expedite the implemnetation of sustainable practices, technologies, and policies in the maritime sector, WAM said. It will also offer access to funding and allow collaboration between industry stakeholders, as well as foster strategic partnerships and initiatives to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector

ZONES-

AD Ports Group and state-owned engineering firm China Machinery Engineering Group Corporation (CMEC) will establish a “strategic cooperative relationship” under a three-year MoU, according to an AD Ports Group statement. Under the terms of the agreement, AD Ports Group and state owned CMEC will coordinate their actions in a number of sectors, including global economic cities and freezones, logistics, finance, infrastructure, and others.

The details: The two companies will explore potential areas for cooperation in the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe in particular, according to the statement. That includes providing solutions and services to each other’s projects, including, but not limited to, survey, design, building, operation and maintenance, it added.

CMA CGM to cooperate with Egypt on dry ports, multipurpose terminals and logistics areas: Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir inked an MoU with shipping giant CMA CGM to cooperate on maritime transport, and jointly develop multi-purpose container terminals, a dry port and a logistics area connected to seaports via rail, according to a statement.

Background: This follows talks that took place last month between CMA CGM and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, where they discussed expanding the company’s participation across Egypt’s maritime transport sector, and managing additional ports.

LAST MILE-

FedEx Express rolls out new packaging solution in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait:FedEx subsidiary FedEx Express has rolled out a new mobile shipping solution — dubbed FedEx Ship Manager Lite (FSML) — for shippers located in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, to facilitate their packaging processes, according to a press release. The FSML will enable shippers in these three countries to fill out their shipment information and create a shipment reference QR code through their own smart devices and present it to the FedEx agent when dropping off their package, removing the need to fill out paper airway bills, print shipping labels, and commercial invoices, according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia’s postal service is about to get a digital + regulatory boost: Saudi Arabia’s Transport and Logistics Ministry has issued a general policy for its postal sector, which aims to enhance growth of the postal sector services and improve services for its users, Saudi news agencySPA reports. The policy aims to develop the current postal service’s delivery standards, introduce new services, enhance competitiveness among local and foreign investors, and support e-commerce and the digital economy, Transport and Logistics Minister and Chairman of Saudi Post Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser stated. This includes removing administrative, regulatory, technical, and procedural obstacles facing businesses, and proposals for new, helpful laws and regulations that can help create a healthy, competitive environment.

Enter AI: Innovative technologies including AI, internet of things, and drones, among other technologies, will be deployed to the sector, according to the news agency.

TRADE-

Qatar + Japan to bolster trade ties: Qatar’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA Qatar) has partnered with Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) to boost trade and investment between the two countries, according to a statement. The partnership seeks to lure Japanese companies and investors to explore business avenues and expand their businesses in Qatar by supporting their market entry, streamlining investment processes and facilitating knowledge exchange, according to the release. The partnership will “leverage our respective strengths and expertise to drive innovation, trade and investment opportunities that will benefit our businesses and contribute to the economic progress of both nations,” Jetro Chairman and CEO Norihiko Ishiguro said.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • The UAE’s low-cost airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will start operating two weeklydirect flights to Ebril, Iraq as of 6 October. (Press release)
  • Some 94% of expansion work at the Suez Canal’s southern sector has been completed. (Statement)
  • The SCZone met with a delegation from Japan’s House of Representatives to discuss collaboration and investments in transport, tourism, and infrastructure.(Statement)
  • Jordan has completed 95% of its country-wide rail network, which could be linked to rail networks in neighboring countries. (Zawya)
  • Qatar’s TransportMinistry met with a delegation representing Iraq’s Development Road Project and Al Faw Port to reviewprogress on the project and discuss bilateral cooperation. (Statement)
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