TODAY: A news trade facility for Mashreq + GWC to develop logistics facilities in Ras Al-Khair

Good morning, friends. It’s a slow morning and we have a brisk read, with some updates on the logistics facilities and roads front emerging from the UAE and KSA. First, some expansion news from DHL Express Egypt…

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- DHL Express Egypt earmarks USD 10 mn for expansion efforts: DHL Express Egypt is looking to invest between EGP 400 mn (c. USD 8 mn) to EGP 500 mn (c. USD 10 mn) in 2025 as part of its expansion strategy, GM Amr Tantawy told Al Borsa News. The funds will be funneled towards expanding the firm’s delivery network and fleet operations, and extending its operations to new industrial cities including the New Administrative Capita and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The firm is also seeking to broaden its portfolio by providing new services, including transit and break bulk in a bid to redistribute goods from Egypt across other markets.

More space, more growth: The company — which operates nearly 40 branches in Egypt with over EGP 500 mn worth of investments — is also looking to open a new headquarters and five additional branches.

#2- Qatar Airways Technic lends a helping hand: Qatar Airways’s MRO unit Qatar Airways Technic is mulling new initiatives and partnerships to reduce maintenance turnaround times in a bid to increase aircraft availability and foster the airline’s growth, CTO Ali Al Saadi told Aviation Week. The flagship carrier is also looking to adopt new tech by enhancing inspections through drones, robotics systems, enhanced tooling, and MRO systems. The carrier is also working on different joint ventures with major players in the industry to establish its own component repair, APU, and engine overhaul facilities.The airline has not specified a specific timeline for the upgrades and expansions.

#3- Trump seeks to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico + China: US President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to increase and impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China when he is sworn in on January 20 January, Reuters reports. A 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico are planned until the countries control illegal pharma trade and immigration, and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.

We knew this was coming: The world has been gearing up for Trump’s potential trade war, which could see a 10 to 20% tariff on imports from all foreign countries and an additional 60-100% tariff on imports specifically from China, with several logistics players urged to front load their shipments ahead of any changes in tariff policy.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices remained steady in early morning trading ahead of the Opec+ meeting next week and a potential ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures rose USD 0.05 trading at USD 72.86 a barrel by GMT 04.15, while US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures rose USD 0.03 to USD 68.80 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled lower yesterday in response to news of Israel agreeing to a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Opec+ countries are in discussions to potentially delay its plan to phase out oil supply cuts in January due to threat of oversupply, after delaying it initially from October, Bloomberg reports, citing delegates who asked to remain anonymous. Opec+ is due to meet online on 1 December, with traders widely expecting another delay to 2Q 2025, according to traders surveyed by Bloomberg.

#2- Baltic index snaps losing streak: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — rose nearly 3.4% to 1,581 points yesterday breaking a six day losing streak. The capesize index gained 166 points to 2,779 points, while the panamax index dropped 12 points to 12M+ low of 1,056 points. The smaller supramax index rose 1 point to 985 points.

#3- LNG spot rates hit record low: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) spot rates for a modern two-stroke 174k cu m unit fell 30% last week to USD 20k per day, Splash reports, citing Clarksons Research. The rate for 145k steam turbine vessels decreased 40% last week to USD 6.7k per day.

DATA POINT-

The Alexandria Port Authority handled 6.8 mn tons of goods last month, marking a 38.8% y-o-y increase, according to a statement. The port authority processed 893.5k tons of general cargo, 845.6k tons of liquid bulk goods, 3 mn tons of dry bulk goods, and 2.1 mn tons of containerized goods during the period.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Saudi Arabia will host the Wings of Change Middle East from Monday, 2 December to Tuesday, 3 December in Riyadh. The event will bring together aviation leaders, regulators, and experts in air transport.

Morocco will host the Rail Industry Summit from Tuesday, 10 December to Wednesday, 11 December in Casablanca. The two-day summit includes pre-scheduled business meetings with potential partners, conferences, and themed workshops on new market trends and future strategies presented by OEMs on infrastructure, rolling stock, embedded equipment and railway vehicle interiors.

The UAE will host the Middle East Business Aviation Show from Tuesday, 10 December to Thursday, 11 December in Dubai. The event will showcase innovations from over 135 exhibitors and will have over 25 jets on display, with over 55 speakers offering insight on market trends.

Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.