Updates on cargo, ports, and data centers from UAE, Qatar, and Oman

PORTS-

QTerminals + QFZ partner up on Marsa Port: Qatari port operator QTerminals has signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Freezones Authority (QFZA) to manage and operate Qatar’s Al Marsa Port at the Umm Alhoul Freezone, according to a statement. QTerminals will be responsible for managing and developing all operations at Marsa port, providing marine and handling services, bulk and breakbulk cargo operations, yacht building and repair, and managing multi-use berths to support industries and factories that export products from Qatar.

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DATA CENTERS-

Equinix and Omantel launch SN1: Digital infrastructure company Equinix and Omani telecommunications firm Omantel have launched a new data center — dubbed SN1 — in Salalah, Oman, a press release said on Thursday. The center will feature direct fiber connectivity to Equinix’s MC1 data center in Muscat, offering carriers, hyperscalers, content providers, and cloud service providers the ability to co-locate their key infrastructure and further boost regional operations.

PROJECTS-

Egypt and Djibouti ink infrastructure projects agreement: Egypt’s Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport and Djibouti's Ports and Free Zones Authority signed an MoU to develop infrastructure projects, according to a statement from the Transport Ministry. The statement named ports, roads, logistics zones, and renewable energy facilities as projects that Egyptian companies could offer their expertise and experience to Djibouti.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

• Royal Air Maroc expands fleet: Morocco’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc has added two jets to its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. One Dreamliner will operate the Casablanca-Los Angeles route, while the second will operate Casablanca-Beijing. (Morocco World News)
• Greek tanker transfers oil after Houthi attack: Greek oil tanker Sounion, which caught fire and lost power after a Houthi attack in August, has transferred over 150k barrels worth of crude to another vessel at anchor in Suez port. (Al Arabiya)
• Spain bars Israel-bound Maersk ships from calling at port: Two Maersk vessels, the Maersk Denver and the Maersk Seletar, have been denied entry into Spain’s Algeciras Port by Spanish officials over suspicion of carrying weapons to Israel. (El Pais)