AIR CARGO-

FedEx launched its first dedicated flight to Saudi Arabia, establishing the Kingdom’s first nonstop express route from the US and Europe, it said in a statement. Operating six times a week on a B777 freighter, the service offers onward connections to Guangzhou and Shanghai and can transport oversized, heavy, temperature-controlled, and dangerous goods for sectors including energy, manufacturing, mining, healthcare, and automotive.

The move supports FedEx’s broader expansion in Saudi Arabia, which includes plans for a regional hub at King Salman International Airport and the rollout of FedEx Logistics to provide freight forwarding services.

ICYMI- Earlier this week, the logistics giant inaugurated its new Riyadh head office to oversee operations in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and acquired its economic license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca).

STARTUP WATCH-

Justyol secures USD 1 mn funding package: Moroccan e-commerce platform Justyol clinched USD 1 mn (c. MAD 9 mn) in seed funding sponsored by UAE-based startup accelerator Nomadic Minds, Wamda reports. Turkish investment outfit Danis Group contributed USD 600k in inventory financing, with an unnamed angel investor providing the remaining USD 400k in the form of equity. Justyol is reportedly preparing to raise more via a Series A funding round.

Where’s the money going? The funds will contribute towards widening Justyol’s Morocco-based operational capacity, sales efforts and market penetration, while also supporting the startup’s early regional expansion plans.

On Justyol: Founded in 2022, the startup’s platform specializes in Turkish fashion and lifestyle products, according to its website. It has amassed a customer base of 250k, with 30k orders placed each month, the outlet reported.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Mawani integrates new service, linking to 18 international maritime hubs: Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) added to its roster a new shipping service — GS2/KMP — linking Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port and the UAE’s Jubail with 18 international ports, according to a statement. The new service is operated by the Premier Alliance — a major global shipping alliance launched in late 2024 between Japan’s One Shipping Line, South Korea’s HMM, and Taiwan’s Yang Ming.

On the cards: The new service has a carrying capacity of up to 16k TEUs. It will link Saudi’s ports with major ports across Asia, the Middle East, and the US — including Oman’s Sohar, the UAE’s Jebel Ali and Khalifa, and Qatar’s Hamad. The route also makes calls in Singapore, Thailand’s Lime Chapang, China’s Shanghai, South Korea’s Busan, Vietnam’s Kai-Maib, Taiwan’s Ningbo and Kaohsiung, and the US’ Long Beach and Oakland.

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