Maritime and rail updates from Egypt and the UAE

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

SCZone’s waste management initiative kicks off: The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), Antipollution Egypt, and the Egyptian Company for Supplies have signed a contract to provide waste management services at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, according to a statement. The contract also includes supervision of waste disposal by Antipollution Egypt and recycling marine waste. The efforts will be expanded to the South entrance.

In the works for a while: News of the initiative broke last April regarding a new waste management system aimed at reducing waste dumping from ships. The system will ensure no ship crosses the canal with solid or liquid waste onboard. The Egyptian Marine Supply and Contracting company — affiliated with the Ministry of Transport — will oversee contractors hired to collect waste from the passing ships and provide a legal umbrella for its handling.

About Antipollution Egypt: SCZone and Greek waste management company Antipollution — a subsidiary of marine services company V Group — agreed to form the joint stock company last March to establish a waste treatment plant in Egypt’s SCZone. The waste treatment facility will process fluid and soluble waste collected from vessels transiting through the Suez Canal to be repurposed as part of Egypt’s efforts to boost its blue economy.

RAIL-

DP Word boosts rail capacity at London Gateway by 50%: The UAE’s DP World has inaugurated two new USD 12 mn rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes at its London Gateway rail terminal, which will boost the volume of freight carried to and from the terminal by rail, according to a statement. The cranes, which will go into operation in mid-August, have a lifting capacity of 41 tonnes and are set to expand box handling capacity by 75% at the terminal. The move also seeks to reduce supply chain carbon emissions by relying more on rail to ease congestion on roads. The cranes will be used to handle cargo at the London Gateway’s new GBP 350 all-electric berth set to open later this year.

LOGISTICS HANDLING-

Aramex to offer special logistics services for businesses in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce: Dubai-based logistics firm Aramex inked an MoU with Dubai Chambers to offer comprehensive logistics services for businesses registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, according to a statement. No further details were provided on the type of services covered in the packages.

Emirates Post is getting more branches: Emirates Post, the postal arm of 7X and the UAE's official postal services provider, plans to expand its network of 87 outlets by opening new branches, Wam reports. Meanwhile, EMX, 7X’s courier and parcel arm, plans to expand its reach by adding new destinations. EMX operates a fleet of more than 600 couriers and ten delivery centers. 7X was formerly known as Emirates Post Group before its rebranding earlier this year.