DP World puts cars into containers, AD Ports drops lawsuit against Bildco, DIC kicks off Senegal + Morocco roadshow

SUPPLY CHAINS-

DP World debuts “cars in containers”: DP World has designed a 53-foot intermodal container with racking systems to transport cars via rail from Mexico to the United States and Canada, according to a statement released on Thursday. The containers — which can take up to six vehicles — should enhance efficiency and reduce costs for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Mexico.

The mechanisms: The service will load finished vehicles into containers directly at Mexican factories or specialized stuffing yards that are close to manufacturing hubs. The containers will then be transported into intermodal rail ramps and moved by rail to destinations including Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto.

DISPUTE WATCH-

AD Ports drops lawsuit over rental receivables claim: Abu Dhabi National for BuildingMaterials (Bildco) has approved a settlement agreement with AD Ports resolving an AED 13.9 mn rental receivables claim, the company said in an ADX disclosure (pdf) last week. AD Ports previously filed a lawsuit against Bildco to claim a debt balance from rental receivables, which amounted to AED 13.9 mn.

The details: AD Ports will write off some AED 7.9 mn of the debt, with the remaining AED 6 mn to be paid in installments under a debt restructuring process, ending on 31 March 2025. The agreement saw AD Ports waive all lawsuits against the company. Bildco’s board will convene a general assembly meeting in the first week of July to finalize the settlement with FAB.

TRADE-

Dubai Chamber land in Senegal, Morocco: The Dubai International Chamber (DIC) will kick off a trade mission to Senegal and Morocco today to 7 June as part of its African roadshow aimed at promoting and expanding Dubai-based companies’ foothold in the continent, according to a statement released last week. The trade mission’s agenda will include holding meetings between Dubai-based companies and their counterparts in Senegal and Morocco, with a focus on exploring collaboration, expansion strategies, and forging new partnerships and trade agreements.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

• Etihad Airways + Beijing airport ink cargo MoU: Etihad Airways and Beijing Daxing International Airport have signed an agreement to increase cargo trips between the UAE and China as well as cooperate on technology initiatives to boost operational efficiency. (Wam)
• Vestas to christen Maersk’s methanol-powered vessel: Green energy leader Vestas will christen Maersk’s new methanol-enabled vessel at a naming ceremony in August. (Statement)
• SCZone getting new digitalization system: Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and the country’s Customs Authority have inked a cooperation protocol to provide a digitalization system for the SCZone’s projects and logistics center. (Statement)
• Air Arabia opens new base at Morocco airport: UAE budget airline Air Arabia has inaugurated a new air base at Morocco’s Rabat-Sale Airport, and is launching new routes to a number of key European cities. The carrier also launched 14 weekly international flights and three additional domestic flights. (Morocco World News)
• Qatar Airways inaugurates new flight to Congo: Qatar Airways will operate four new weekly flights from Doha to N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa, DR Congo. The new route will also increase capacity to Luanda, Angola from one flight to four. (Press release)
• Flynas launches Dammam-Najaf flights: Flynas is operating three flights a week between Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Najaf, Iraq. (Statement)
• Salam Air flies to Delhi: Oman’s low-budget carrier Salam Air will start operating two direct flights a week to Delhi, India starting 2 July. (Statement)