STORAGE + WAREHOUSES-

Germany’s e-Arvato opens logistics hub in Dubai: German logistics and supply chain management and e-commerce firm Arvato has inaugurated a 3.3k sqm warehouse in Dubai’s CommerCity, a freezone dedicated to digital commerce, according to a press release. The new logistics hub is 10 minutes away from Dubai Airport (DXB) and about an hour from Jebel Ali Port.

What will the hub provide? The hub will offer services including general warehousing and fulfillment, spanning from inbound to outbound operations, as well as storage, transformation and bundling, coordination and overall transport management, order management and incident resolution, and EDI and transaction monitoring. The hub will also provide services like IOR/EOR in the freezone, brokerage, and forecasting.

LEGISLATION WATCH-

Oman is set to establish a court to help resolve investment and trade disputes, Oman Observer reports, citing a directive issued by the country’s ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The move also aims to provide a stable legal framework to attract foreign investors and promote competitiveness in the local economy, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Sayyif Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidy said.

TRUCKING-

KSA’s Sadan expands logistics operations: Sadan Industrial Company, a subsidiary of Saudi-based concrete manufacturer Mohammed Hassan Al-Naqool Sons, has purchased 20 new trucks for SAR 6.67 mn, according to a Tadawul disclosure published on Monday. The trucks were sold to Sadan by the Saudi Diesel Equipment Company, according to the disclosure.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Hapag-Lloyd adds new service connecting Egypt and Italy: Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd is launching its re-designed Adriatic Sea Express (ADX) service linking Egypt’s Port Said to Italy’s Venice and Ancona ports, effective from 28 March, according to a statement. The new route complements the Gemini Network ’s SE1 service, which will call at Port Said, Slovenia’s Koper Port, and Croatia’s Rijeka Port. The SE1 service will start on 24 March.

That’s not all: Hapag-Lloyd’s South East India to Europe Express (IEX) service will no longer call at Germany’s Bremerhaven Port, and will instead call at Hamburg Port, effective 21 March, according to a statement. The service will now call at the Netherland’s Rotterdam Port, the UK’s London Gateway, Germany’s Hamburg Port, Morocco’s Tangier Port, India’s Chennai Port, Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port, and Spain’s Algeciras Port.

STARTUP WATCH-

#2- UAE agri-trade fintech Maalexi secured a USD 3 mn credit facility from Citi to increase its liquidity, bolster its direct sourcing operations, and help the company scale its AI-powered risk management platform for SMEs engaged in cross-border agri-trade, according to a press release (pdf).

The funds will aid in expanding procurement from US-based exporters, optimizing supply chains, and reducing food waste in the USD 2 tn global food trade, as part of its plan targeting threefold expansion in 2025.

ICYMI: Maalexi secured USD 3 mn in a pre-Series A funding round led by Global Ventures in January of last year, with participation from Rockstart and Ankurit Capital, to enhance its platform and scale cross-border agri-trade operations. The agri-trade fintech also raised an additional USD 1 mn in venture debt from India’s Stride Ventures to drive user acquisition and expansion last July. In May, Maalexi partnered with DP World to boost food security by streamlining access to a broader range of food products and enhancing operational efficiency at Jebel Ali Port.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Anthony Veder receives Ethylene carrier from Adnoc: Dutch gas shipping company Anthony Veder has purchased and received the Yas — a 9k cbm ethylene gas carrier previously owned by Adnoc — at South Korea’s port of Yeosu, according to a statement published on Monday. The price of the transaction was not disclosed, but the vessel’s addition brings the company’s fleet to 29 petrochemical and LNG carriers.

Details: The 2014-built vessel — now renamed the Coral Palmata — can carry petrochemical gasses, making it suitable for the ethylene trade and carrying products like propylene and liquid petrochemical gas, according to the statement. Anthony Veder will be responsible for the vessel’s technical and commercial management.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

  • Bahrain + Italy to partner on sea-air freight: Bahrain has granted Italy “partnership status” for air freight services, enabling Italian firms to acquire certification as authorized operations of sea and air freight services. (BNA)
  • DP World + WFP partner on humanitarian supply chains: The UAE’s DP World has inked an MoU with the World Food Programme (WFP) to explore sustainable supply chains and decarbonization initiatives. The program aims to “address the root causes of hunger, harnessing global supply chains as a force for meaningful and lasting change.” (Statement)
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