Updates on shipping, e-commerce and customs from KSA, UAE and Oman

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Bahri + Petredec to meet KSA’s demand for LPG and ammonia shipping: Saudi national shipping company Bahri has inked an agreement with LPG player Petredec to establish a joint strategic partnership to address Saudi Arabia’s increasing demand for LPG and ammonia shipping, according to a statement. The two companies will form a specialized joint commercial team, and Bahri will create an internal LPG team within its arm Bahri Oil to handle all upcoming shipping needs for LPG and ammonia in Saudi Arabia.

CUSTOMS-

#1- Egypt’s gov’t to release all cars held at ports over ACI violations: The Egyptian Customs Authority is releasing vehicles that have been held at ports for violating the registration rules of the Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) system, according to a decision by the authority on Tuesday, seen by EnterpriseAM. Owners of the cars must pay owed customs and fees plus up to EGP 10k in fines per vehicle to take advantage of the new policy.

Background: Cars had been piling up in Egypt’s ports over the past few months after the authorities refused to release cars whose owners had tried to dodge the ACI’s passenger car registration restrictions by registering their passenger cars under other categories.

This newest wave of car releases comes as the government seeks to limit personal car imports in a bid to support auto industry localization. In December, the Investment Ministry issued a decision introducing new restrictions on personal car imports to limit USD outflows and support the localization of the auto industry, capping personal imports at one car every five years.

#2- Oman launches tender for inspection and clearance station: Oman has launched a tender for the development, management, and operation of a one-stop inspection and clearance station covering 60k sqm in Al Hafeet Square in Al Buraimi. The tender calls for local and global logistics firms to apply. (Statement)

E-COMMERCE-

EMX + Temu to enhance e-commerce fulfillment in the UAE: EMX — the logistics arm of the UAE’s 7X — has signed a partnership agreement with Chinese e-commerce giant Temu to expand e-commerce fulfillment in the UAE and across the region, according to a statement. The pair will boost maritime shipping capacity and introduce pick-up and drop-off services for customers. Temu first launched in the UAE in late 2023, and is currently also operating in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan, according to the statement.

TRADE-

Iran’s non-oil trade with West Asian countries grew in 9M 2024, Tehran Times reports, citing Director General for West Asia at Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) Abdolamir Rabihavi. The country’s non-oil trade with Iraq grew by 35% y-o-y, with the UAE by 11%, with Turkey by 59%, with Kuwait by 31%, with Syria by 21%, with Qatar by 14%, with Oman by 15%, and with Lebanon by 30%. The highest increase was with Jordan at 508% and Saudi Arabia at 9.8k%.

Behind some of the data: The staggering 9.8k% trade growth with Saudi is attributed mainly to the fact that trade between the two nations is just starting to pick up, leading to an increase in non-oil trade’s value from a mere USD 200k to USD 23 mn. Turkey is also the largest trading partner among the bunch, with Iranian-Turkish trade growing by around USD 2 bn.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

• BAS implements RMS system: Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) has implemented IT provider SITA’s Resource Management System (RMS) to optimize workforce allocations, equipment utilization, and give real-time insights to its ground operations. (Times Aerospace)
• Etihad Airways adding more flights to Milan: Etihad Airways is introducing a third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Milan starting 1 November 2025. (Statement)