SHIPPING + MARITIME-

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) added the Cstar Line-operated FRS1 shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port, according to a statement. The service will connect the port to Ningbo, Shanghai, and Nansha in China, as well as Aqaba in Jordan and Ain Sokhna in Egypt, with a capacity of 2k TEUs.

A flurry of new services: The Jeddah maritime gateway added some 15k TEUs throughout June alone, launching new links between the Kingdom and its GCC and MENA neighbors, as well as India, among other destinations in Asia.

E-COMMERCE-

Asyad launches e-commerce logistics platform: Omani logistics giant Asyad Group’s Asyad Express has launched a reverse logistics platform to expedite e-commerce businesses’ management of product returns, exchanges, and refunds within Oman and the GCC, according to a statement. The platform will help SMEs and giant firms implement adjustable return policies within a shorter time frame.

ZONES-

Rafed debuts new Abu Dhabi vaccine hub: PureHealth subsidiary Rafed has launched a new regional vaccine distribution hub in the UAE’s Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi, according to a statement. The facility — jointly developed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, AD Ports Group, GSK, and Etihad Cargo — will manage the distribution of 20 vaccines for adult and pediatric use annually, serving more than 100 international destinations with time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight services, the statement says.

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