PROJECTS-

Iraq + Italy + Turkey pursue 2.4 mn bpd pipeline: Iraq’s Basra Oil Company has inked a contract with Italy’s oil and gas contractor Micoperi and Turkey’s ESTA to build an offshore oil export pipeline with a capacity of 2.4 mn barrels per day (bpd), Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesperson Hayan Abdulghani Al Sawad told INA. Described as Iraq’s third offshore export pipeline, it will contribute to ensuring stable crude export from southern ports. The project’s offshore portion extends 61 km, with a 9 km onshore section, and will include two offshore platforms — one in Basra Oil Port and another in Khor Al-Amaya Oil Port — in addition to a floating offshore buoy for exportation.

FREIGHT FORWARDING-

Egypt-based warehousing and multimodal transport player G3A is planning to raise freight tariffs by 12% on Egypt’s railway network after Egypt’s latest fuel price hikes, unnamed government sources told Al Borsa. However, the revised rates will remain lower than those charged by road hauliers to maintain G3A’s competitive edge, the sources said. The new pricing is expected to be announced next week after a review by the company’s pricing committee, which is evaluating current maintenance, spare parts, and fuel costs.

DEBT WATCH-

Jordan secures funding for LNG port: Jordan has inked a USD 65 mn soft loan agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development for the development of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah LNG port in Aqaba, Al Mamlaka reported on Thursday.

ICYMI: Jordan is slated to receive gas at the Port of Aqaba and eventually pump it via the Arab Gas Pipeline — which connects Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon — transporting it to the Deir Ali power plant in southern Syria.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

#1- Mawani boosts links to Pakistan, UAE: The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has added a new shipping service connecting King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam to Pakistan’s Karachi and UAE’s Jebel Ali. The route — dubbed Al Pakistan Gulf service — was launched by freight player AP Line and boasts a capacity of 2.9k TEUs.

#2- LNG-powered vessel makes maiden call at Khalifa Port: AD Ports subsidiary Noatum Maritime has deployed its first LNG-powered RoRo vessel at Khalifa Port’s autoterminal under its joint venture with Turkish shipping firm Erkport, according to a statement released on Thursday. The vessel will use Khalifa Port as its hub — aiming to link industrial and automotive hubs globally.

We knew this was coming: The Ugr Al Samha vessel — a pure car and truck carrier with a capacity north of 7k CEUs — was delivered to Noatum Maritime last month.

#3- Kuwait’s Combined Group Rocks Co. buys KWD 2.6 mn ship: Maritime transport firm Combined Group Rocks — a subsidiary of Kuwait-listed Combined Group Contracting Company — has finalized the acquisition of a vessel worth around KWD 2.6 mn (c. USD 8.5 mn), according to a filing to Boursa Kuwait (pdf) released on Thursday.

AVIATION-

#1- Dubai-based air cargo operator SolitAir has received its Air Operator Certificate from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, the company said in a press release on Friday. SolitAir currently operates three Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters — including one under a dry lease and another 737-400 BCF.

#2- Bombardier to set up MRO center in Abu Dhabi: Canadian aviation firm Bombardier is set to build a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service facility at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Executive Airport, according to a statement released on Thursday. Construction is slated to begin effective from H1 2025 and is forecasted to be completed and operational by 2H 2026. The facility — spanning 120k sqft — will include a 55k sqft hangar and a parts depot. It will offer MRO services to Bombardier aircraft and is planned to be tailored to service heavy maintenance, aircraft modifications, and aircraft on-ground capabilities.

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