ZONES-

#1- Qatar FreeZones Authority (QFZ) and FedEx Logistics launched a logistics facility at Ras Bufontas Freezone, QNA reported on Saturday. The facility — operated by FedEx Logistics Qatar — spans around 1.2k sqm and comprises warehousing, storage, and office spaces. It is expected to serve as a key freight hub connecting major markets in Asia, Europe, and North America, leveraging its close proximity to Hamad International Airport.

We knew this was coming: QFZ and FedEx Logistics inked an MoU to launch a logistics facility in Ras Bufontas last year, shortly after QFZ inaugurated 20 regional distribution hubs in the zone.

#2- China’s ShuanFeng will build a USD 8 mn garment factory in Qantara West under a contract it signed with the Suez Canal Economic Zone, according to a statement. The 20k sqm project will be self-financed, create 2k direct jobs, and produce 16.5 mn pieces annually, all earmarked for export.

CARGO-

Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority carried out its first drone delivery trial for parcels, running a test flight from Jeddah Islamic Port to Al Balad district, the authority said on X. The pilot project — conducted in partnership with Aramex, the Transport and Logistics Services Ministry, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca), and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program — aims to test the use of drones in postal services and assess their role in improving delivery.

REMEMBER- KSA is already giving out licenses: US-based delivery drone developer Matternet received regulatory approval from Gaca back in January to operate its flagship M2 drone in the Kingdom.

AVIATION-

Kuwait’s Refad Group to branch into aviation: Kuwait’s Refad InternationalGroup is launching an aviation company, specializing in airport management, VIP services, and flight services, according to a press release published on Saturday. The group — established in 2001 — is active in the construction and oil and gas industries, according to its website. Its energy arm is active in procuring, transporting, and distributing LNG and crude oil, alongside trading refined petroleum products.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

UAE port operator DP World is launching a new shipping service — Atlas — connecting Morocco’s Agadir and Casablanca to the company’s port terminals in London and Belgium’s Antwerp, MoroccoWorldNews reported on Thursday. The service will launch with two DP World-owned Unifeeder vessels on 18 September, though official operations are scheduled for November 2025.

The details: Atlas aims to cut export and shipping times for fruits and vegetables by up to two days, providing a faster alternative for land transport, according to the outlet. The service will move up to 150k tons of fresh produce annually and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 250 kg per ton-km.

DATA POINT- Morocco exports over 6.5 mn tons of fruits and vegetables to Western Europe every year.

DATA CENTERS-

Arvato launches data center project in UAE: German logistics and supply chain management and e-commerce firm Arvato has launched a new data center logistics operation in Dubai’s CommerCity — a freezone dedicated to digital commerce, according to a press release published last week. Arvato will provide hyperscaling capabilities to an unnamed leading global cloud provider, as well as transportation, warehousing, and white-glove delivery services for data center equipment, the press release said.

Arvato is already active in Dubai: Arvato launched a 3.3k sqm warehouse in CommerCity earlier this year, offering — among other services — general warehousing and fulfillment, spanning from inbound to outbound operations.

Tags: