Brazil eyes logistics storage area in the SCZone + Drydocks is retrofitting small vessels with hybrid batteries

ZONES-

Brazilian logistics storage area could be coming to SCZONE: SCZone Vice President Walid Youssef and a Brazilian government delegation discussed the possibility of establishing a logistics storage area in the SCZone for Brazilian grains, sugar, and oils, according to a statement. The officials also discussed cooperation in green energy projects.

SCZONE + China + TEDA discuss cooperation: SCZONE General Authority Vice President Ibrahim Abdel Khaleq also met with a delegation of officials from Tianjin, China to discuss expanding cooperation between the SCZONE and the city of Tianjin, according to a statement.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Emirati shipbuilding and repair services company Drydocks World is retrofitting small vessels with hybrid batteries to lower carbon emissions in marine services, Gulf News reports. “Our hybrid-battery retrofit scheme is a direct way to cut emissions, especially for maintenance vessels who perform daily short routes,” said Drydocks World’s CEO Rado Antolovic. The company plans to start by retrofitting one of its harbor tugs with a hybrid battery to enhance capacity, after which it will expand to installing hybrid batteries in client vessels like yachts and leisure crafts.

KOTC + MariApps ink digital partnership: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation subsidiary Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) and maritime digital solutions provider MariApps Marine Solutions (MariApps) are entering a partnership to enhance the digitalization of KOTC’s fleet operations, according to a press release. The agreement involves the implementation of smartPAL suite, which uses more than 25 modules to address ship management and operations, allowing KOTC to manage their vessels in real time 24/7, the release says. MariApps will also implement digital logs, electronic oil record books, and smartOps for vessel performance monitoring. KOTC will also set up a fleet monitoring center in Kuwait with MariApps’ assistance, the release adds.

AVIATION-

KSA could launch direct flights with Poland for the first time next year: The Saudi AirConnectivity Program (ACP) signed an agreement with LOT Polish Airlines to open direct flights for the first time, SPA reported last week, citing a statement by the ACP. Flights three times a week between Warsaw and Riyadh could begin as early as June 2024. ACP expects the route to drive tourism and trade, noting that 43% more Polish travelers have visited Saudi Arabia this year compared to last.

It could also resume flights with Iran: Saudi Arabia and Iran will hold formal talks this week on a possible resumption of direct, scheduled flights between Tehran, Riyadh and other cities, Reuters, reported yesterday, citing statements by an Iranian official to state-affiliated news agency ILNA. The two countries restored diplomatic ties back in March.

INFRASTRUCTURE-

PROJECT UPDATE- Astarachay river bridge connecting Iran and Azerbaijan to open in a few weeks: The Astarachay river bridge, part of the wider INSTC logistics corridor linking India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, is approaching completion and is expected to open in the next few weeks, Azernews reported citing statements by Iran’s Roads and Urban Development Deputy Minister Shahriar Afandizadeh.

About the bridge: When completed, the 97.6 meter artery is expected to handle 800 truck crossings per day. A temporary road and border terminal connected to the bridge are expected to kick off operations in the next few weeks, the official also said. Construction on the bridge began 25 January 2022.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

• UAE-based logistics company World Zone Shipping Services has launched its services in Bahrain. (Statement)
• APM Terminals has rolled out more application programming interfaces(API) data sources for Jordan’s Aqaba Container Terminal and Brazil's APM Terminals Pecém to enhance digital connectivity to provide access to real time container and vessel status data. (Statement)