Updates on shipping, diplomacy, and trade from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bahrain, and Jordan

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

#1- Asry taps AD Ports for Bahrain maritime build: AD Ports Group has inked three heads of terms (HoTs) with Bahrain-based Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) to spearhead marine services in Bahrain across maritime and port projects, according to a statement. The three HoTs include establishing a joint venture (JV) to manage drydock facilities and shipyards, an agreement with India-based maritime service provider JM Baxi to develop green ship recycling facilities, and a final HoT to develop a working group for investments across ports and terminals.

REFRESHER- AD Port’s subsidiary Noatum Maritime and Asry formed a JV — dubbed ASRY Marine — to offer integrated maritime services in Bahrain. The JV — first announced in February and activated in April — aims to deliver integrated marine services in Bahrain and marked its operational start with the arrival of four modern tugboats from Noatum Maritime’s fleet at ASRY’s headquarters.

#2- The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has added MSC’s Chinook Clanga shipping service to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port, according to a statement. The new 14k TEUs service will connect the two ports to 16 major regional and global ports, including Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain, Hamad in Qatar, Nhava Sheva in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Singapore, Vung Tau and Haiphong ports in Vietnam, Nansha, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai and Qingdao ports in China, Busan in South Korea, Seattle in the US, and Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports in Canada.

ALSO- Mawani added MSC’s Himalaya Express shippingservice to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port, according to a statement released last Thursday. The new service — with a capacity of 14k TEUs — will connect the two ports with 12 regional and international ports, including Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Hamad in Qatar, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Vizhinjam in India, Sines in Portugal, Valencia, Barcelona, and Malaga in Spain, and Gioia Tauro and Genoa in Italy

DIPLOMACY-

Iran + Kazakhstan ink trade, logistics agreements: Iran and Kazakhstan have inked several agreements to facilitate trade and increase bilateral cooperation, Tehran News reports. The agreements include forming a joint investment working group to establish trade centers — allocating 15 hectares in Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port to Kazakhstan for a transit terminal — and signing a mutual recognition agreement for authorized economic operators to expedite customs operations.

ALSO- The two parties discussed the potential for direct flights and are set to meet in 3Q 2025 to discuss oil, gas refineries, and petrochemicals in a bid to resume bilateral oil swaps.

TRADE-

#1- Saudi Exim + Credit Oman sign export agreement: The Saudi Export-Import Bank signed an MoU with Credit Oman during the TXF Global 2025 conference in Copenhagen from 10 to 12 June to boost cooperation on joint export projects and share expertise, state news agency SPA reported on Friday. The agreement aims to support Saudi non-oil exports and strengthen trade ties between the two countries.

#2- Jordan has submitted an international tender to acquire up to 120k metric tons of milling wheat from optional sources, Zaywa reported on Thursday, citing Reuters. The country reportedly issued another tender for 120k metric tons of animal feed barley. Wheat shipments will be sent out in batches of 50k-60k tons between 1-15 September, 16-30 September, 1-15 October, and 16-31 October.

ICYMI- Jordan purchased nearly 60k tons of wheat in an international tender in January. The country bought the grain from trading house CHS at an estimated price of USD 267 a ton — including cost and freight — and was slated for shipment during the second half of March.