UAE cracks down on P&Is + UAE, KSA, Egypt lead data center growth in MENA. PLUS: New flight routes from Qatar Airways + SalamAir

MARITIME-

The UAE cracks down on P&I clubs: The UAE’s Maritime Administration is requiring all P&I clubs that are not under the fold of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs that insure UAE-flagged vessels to supply regulators with additional information about their operations, according to a circular cited by Splash. Clubs have until the end of this month to show that they have an S&P Global rating not lower than ‘A’ and to disclose claims exceeding USD 10 mn or information on their five largest claims. Clubs must also demonstrate membership in a recognized maritime professional agency or regulatory body as well as demonstrate indemnity ins. capped at no less than USD 10 mn, according to Splash.

The new rules are meant to provide additional technical and regulatory oversight over the country’s maritime sector, which has recently become a hot spot for “opaque” fleets used to sidestep sanctions.

DATA CENTERS-

Data center growth in the MENA region is expected to be led by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, according to research (pdf) by investment and commercial real estate firm CBRE. The data center capacity in these three markets currently totals some 336 MW, and is expected to grow to 707 MW by 2025, the bulk of which will be in KSA and the UAE, according to the research. “These three countries’ strong fundamentals are driving activity levels, along with their marked improvements in ease of doing business and data protections laws and also in their subsea cable connectivity,” CBRE said in a press release.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

• Qatar Airways will resume flights between Doha and CardiffAirport by the end of2023. (BBC)
• Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir will introduce direct flights between Salalahand Bahrain starting 5 July.(Press release)