Good morning, friends. We’re kicking off the week with a packed issue, featuring debt, M&A, and freezone projects updates from across the region. PMI reports for September are also trickling in — and we take a quick dive into the latest readings from the UAE, KSA, and Egypt. Let’s dive right in.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

The Quantum Maritime Conference 2025 will kick off on Wednesday, 8 October and on Thursday 9 October, in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. The conference will discuss quantum tech in the maritime sector to reduce vessel turnaround times and improve fuel efficiency to enhance navigation.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- MGX reportedly in talks to invest in Texan data center firm: Abu Dhabi AI investor MGX is involved in discussions alongside BlackRock’s infrastructure fund Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) to further invest in Aligned Data Centers as part of an acquisition of the firm from financial group Macquarie, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. While nothing has been finalized as of yet, a formal agreement could come in the next few days. Mubadala already owns a minority stake in Aligned.

A USD 40 bn target: Aligned previously secured over USD 12 bn in equity and debt commitments from investors in January. Its current and future pipeline includes 126 data centers and campuses across the US, South America, and Canada. It is estimated to be valued at around USD 40 bn — meaning any takeover would be among the largest this year, the Financial Times reports.

MGX has been doubling down on investments so far this year, with the firm eyeing the launch of a USD 25 bn fund for AI infrastructure investments. It is also committing USD 100 bn to the first phase of the Stargate AI infrastructure fund, pledging USD 30-50 bn of initial investments in data centers in France, and backing a USD 30 bn AI infrastructure fund launched by BlackRock and GIP. It also recently invested in OpenAI as part of its latest secondary share sale.

MORE FROM UAE PLAYERS- XRG reaches FDI on Mozambique FLNG project: Adnoc’s XRG and its partners have reached a final investment decision (FDI) on the Coral North Floating LNG facility (FLNG) in Mozambique, according to a statement released on Thursday. The expansion, which is located in area 4 in the Rovuma Basin, will be developed with partners including Eni, China National Petroleum Company, Mozambique’s national oil company ENH, and Korea Gas Corporation. The project will add some 3.55 mn metric tons per annum (mtpa) of offshore LNG capacity for Mozambique.

Background: XRG acquired Adnoc’s 10% stake inthe basin earlier this year, gaining access to the operational Coral South FLNG and the planned Coral North expansion, as well as Rovuma LNG onshore development, which together hold over 25 mtpa of potential LNG capacity.

#2- Where does Egypt’s USD 35 bn gas agreement with Israel stand? Israel’s Leviathan gas field partners have until the end of the month to meet conditions for the USD 35 bn agreement with Egypt, Mees reported on Friday. The agreement, signed with state-owned Blue Ocean Energy, could see 130 bn cubic metres (bcm) of gas sent to Egypt from 2026 through 2040.

The Leviathan partners — Chevron, NewMed Energy, and Ratio — must still clear several conditions for the agreement to proceed. Israel’s Energy Ministry has already approved their development plan for the Leviathan expansion, paving the way for a final investment decision later this month.

The logistics angle: The consortium has also reached terms with state network operator INGL to use the planned 600 mcf/d Nitzana pipeline linking Israel’s southern grid to Sinai. The Leviathan partners signaled their intent to proceed independently through Nitzana if other Israeli gas producers — namely Tamar and Karish operators — fail to sign transportation terms before month-end, Mees said.

The remaining obstacle lies in Israel’s domestic regulatory and political arena: A dispute among Tamar partners over gas pricing for Israel’s state utility has triggered concerns over rising electricity costs, Mees added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reportedly froze the agreement amid rising Israeli-Egyptian tensions. The coming weeks will determine whether the partners can secure government approvals and finalize the agreement.

#3- A consortium led by Saudi-based Asyad Holding bids for Baghdad airport: A consortium including Asyad Holdings, China’s Top International Engineering Corporation, Turkey’s YDA İnşaat, Bahrain’s Lamar Holding, and Ireland’s Dublin Airport Authority is among three groups vying to develop and operate Baghdad International Airport under a 25-year public-private partnership (PPP) model, the Iraqi New Agency reported Friday. The project covers infrastructure rehabilitation, a new passenger terminal, and operations and maintenance. The airport is slated for a revamp worth USD 400-600 mn put together with the help of the International Finance Corporation.

IN OTHER IRAQI UPDATES- Excelerate to develop Iraq’s first FLNG: Iraq has awarded a contract to US-based LNG firm Excelerate Energy to develop a floating liquefied natural gas import terminal, according to a statement published last week. Development plans and binding commercial agreements are still under discussion. No timeline has been disclosed for contract finalization and implementation.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR: The Iraqi Oil Ministry said in August it was reviewing two bids for its first floating storage and regasification unit at Khor Al Zubair Port in Basra, with Excelerate Energy previously linked as one of the potential bidders for the project — which comes as Iraq ramps up LNG imports infrastructure amid efforts to mitigate energy shortages and diversify energy sources as it reduces its reliance on Iranian energy imports.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices rallied this morning after Opec+ announced a less-than-expected production hike for November, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures rose by USD 0.91 to USD 65.44 / bbl as of 03.15 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased USD 0.89 to trade at USD 61.77 / bbl.

The gains, however, are expected to be short-lived due to the expected lower demand for 4Q. “With the absence of any fresh bullish catalysts and growing ambiguity on the demand outlook, oil prices are likely to stay capped despite OPEC+’s smaller-than-feared output hike,” senior market analyst at Phillip Nova Priyanka Sachdeva told Reuters.

REMEMBER- Unsold Middle Eastern crude from the last trading cycle is stoking concerns that a long-anticipated global oil surplus may be starting to take shape. A better read of balances will emerge once Saudi and other Gulf suppliers issue November allocations to long-term contract buyers soon.

Opec+ decision in numbers: The cartel voted to add a total of 137k bbl / d to production again next month, according to a press release. The group approved the same additional number of barrels for October as part of the group’s gradual unwinding of its 1.65 mn bbl / d voluntary cuts. The next meeting is scheduled for 2 November.

IN CONTEXT- Only around 60% of the 2.2 mn bbl / d tranche planned for restoration between May and September has materialized, highlighting the limited spare capacity within the cartel, Bloomberg reports. The shortfall reflects both ongoing compensation for previous overproduction by some members and the possibility that others are already nearing their maximum output.

#2- Demand for LNG as a marine fuel is expected to at least double by 2030, driven by abundant new supply and tightening emissions regulations, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing industry executives. Qatar and the US are developing major LNG export projects that are expected to trigger a supply glut by 2030, driving down prices and boosting LNG’s competitiveness against traditional oil-based marine fuels.

The forecasts: Rystad Energy expects global LNG bunkering volumes to surpass 4 mn tons by the end of 2025 and double by 2030, while French energy major TotalEnergies expects combined LNG and bio-LNG bunker demand to reach 15 mn tons by 2030.

Better for decarbonization? Dual-fuel vessel orders are on the rise amid upcoming regulations in Europe and the International Maritime Organization. LNG is seen as the most practical option for reducing emissions in the shipping sector until zero-carbon fuels become widely available, Reuters added, citing Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines.

#3- Baltic index on a downward spiral: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — fell 8 points to 1,901 on Friday, buoyed by low demand across vessel segments. The capesize inched up 4 points to 2,724, while the panamax index eased 23 points to 1,662. The smaller supramax index shed 9 points to 1,447.

#4- The Drewry World Container Index fell by 5% to USD 1,669 per 40-ft container on Thursday, according to the latest index readings. The drop comes on the back of market turbulence driven by the ongoing flurry of US tariffs since April. The container forecaster projects the supply-demand balance to fall in 2H 2025, causing spot rates to fall further.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UK will host the Marine Environment Protection Committee Extraordinary Session from Tuesday, 14 October until Friday, 17 October at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) HQ in London. The session is set to see the intergovernmental body formally adopt its Net-Zero Framework — rolling out new fuel standards for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

Belgium will host the AntwerpXL on Tuesday, 14 October until Thursday, 16 October in Antwerp. The expo will host 3.8k project cargo, break bulk, RoRo, heavy lift, and industry experts to expand collaborations. It will co-locate with the Transport and Logistics conference and exhibition.

Iraq will host the Iraq International Transportation & Airports & Logistics Expo & Conference on Wednesday, 15 October until Friday, 17 October in Baghdad. The expo — Iraq’s first platform focused exclusively on transport and logistics services — is expected to feature over 100 exhibitors including ports, aviation, road, and rail players as well as logistics tech firms.

Morocco will host the International Forum and Expo on Mobility, Transport, and Logistics (Logiterre) on Thursday, 16 October until Saturday, 18 October in Casablanca. Logiterre will host main operators within the industry from West and Central Africa.

The UAE will host the Adipec Maritime and Logistics Exhibition and Conference on Monday, 3 November until Thursday, 6 November in Abu Dhabi. The conference will host over 250k attendees working in government entities, finance, and tech.

The UAE will host the Air Cargo Forum on Tuesday, 4 November until Thursday, 6 November in Abu Dhabi. The forum — hosted by Etihad Cargo — will bring together air freight industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss industry solutions, tech, strategies, and collaborative initiatives for global air logistics.

Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.

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