A heap of updates in rail, equipment, shipping, aviation and warehousing from Mococco, KSA, the UAE, Iraq and Jordan

EQUIPMENT-

ADES renews contract for two onshore rig operations: PIF-backed oil and gas drilling services provider ADES Holding renewed contracts for ADES 13 and ADES 14 onshore rigs in KSA with a period of ten years, starting after the expiry of the current contract, according to a Tadawul disclosure. ADES has a fleet of 87 rigs across nine countries, 38 of them are onshore drilling rigs.

RAIL-

EIB + ONCF partner up on railway adaptation: The European Investment Bank (EIB) has inked a technical assistance partnership agreement with Morocco’s National Office of Railways (ONCF) to strengthen climate resilience and develop an adaptation strategy for Morocco’s railway network, according to a statement released last week.

The details: The 24-month collaboration will involve climate risk assessment, developing detailed maps, vulnerability analysis, and technical recommendations. The project aims to strengthen the resilience of the network, reducing future costs related to climate damage and operational disruptions.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Global shipping organization Bimco has adopted Autoshipman, the first management agreement for autonomous ships, offering a contractual base for third-party ship managers to operate the vessels, according to a statement released last week. The agreement has been developed in response to the growing use of remotely controlled vessels in the commercial shipping sector, says the statement. Under Autoshipman, vessels will have the flexibility to switch operational modes, even in the middle of a voyage, to allow ships to be partially or fully manned when passing through certain jurisdictions or calling at a port.

AVIATION-

Dnata adds 14 GPUs to Dubai fleet: UAE air services provider dnata has added 14 new 180kVA electric ground power units (GPU) to its ground support equipment fleet at Dubai International Airport (DXB), according to a statement released last week. The GPU — a device used to provide electric power for stationary aircraft — will handle 33% of all GPU utilization and will replace diesel-powered equipment, reducing fuel consumption by some 550k liters annually. The air services provider has already deployed four electronic GPUs in its operations, while the remaining 10 are expected to arrive in November.

Joramco + AIG make airport expansion plans: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise’s aircraft MRO and engineering arm Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited (Joramco) has inked an agreement with Jordan’s maintenance firm Airport International Group (AIG) for expansion plans, according to a statement released last week. This agreement represents a key milestone in the company’s growth strategy for the upcoming years, particularly with its cutting-edge Hangar 7, set to be operational by the end of 2024, the statement said.

What they said: “This transformative investment underscores our steadfast commitment to expanding QAIA's infrastructure, enhancing its capacity and reinforcing its strategic role within the region. This significant project will not only boost aircraft maintenance capabilities and increase high end services to airlines but also contribute to the local economy by creating hundreds of new job opportunities,” Airport International Group CEO Nicolas Deviller said in the statement.

STORAGE + WAREHOUSES-

Italy’s Raccortubi opens a warehouse in Sharjah: Italian steel supplier Raccortubi, a subsidiary of Commerciale Tubi Acciaio, has inaugurated a AED 25 mn (c. USD 6.8 mn) 20k sq ft warehouse in Sharjah’s Hamriyah Freezone to support oil and gas projects in the region, Trade Arabia reported last week, citing a statement.

RAIL-

Tender issued for Iraq’s Baghdad-Baiji Railway project: The General Company for Iraqi Railways has issued a tender for the completion and restoration of the Baghdad-Baiji railway line, with the deadline for submitting proposals set at 14 November, according to a statement published last week. The selected firm would provide design services as well as restore the existing track along the Taji-Baiji Railway. The project, spanning some 200 km, is expected to take over 24 months to complete. The project is being financed by the World Bank under its Emergency Operations for Development section.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

• Etihad Airways reintroduces its Airbus A380: UAE’s Etihad Airlines is planning to put its Airbus A380 superjumbo double-decker back in operational capacity to London Heathrow, New York JFK and Paris starting 1 November 2024, and Singapore starting 1 February 2025. (The National)
• Egypt makes vehicle import easier for disabled persons: Egypt has approved legislation to streamline importing vehicles for people with disabilities. Customs duties and value-added tax on said vehicles will be waived for persons holding a Disability Verification and Comprehensive Services Card. (Daily News Egypt)
• Riyadh Air to use Sabre’s AI-powered solutions: Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air has inked a strategic agreement with Airline Retail Platform SabreMosaic to use its AI-powered Offer Optimization technology to develop tailored offers through various customer interaction points starting 2025. (Statement)
• Mawani to cooperate with Hamburg on port efficiency: Saudi Arabia’s General Port Authority (Mawani) has inked an MoU with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Hamburg Port Consulting Company (HPC) to enhance capabilities and operational efficiency at Saudi ports, automation, and sustainability in the maritime sector. (Statement)