Good morning, friends. The news cycle has slightly slowed down, leaving us with a brisk read this morning. Updates from UAE players take the lead, featuring Gulftainer’s new multi-purpose facility in Khorfakkan port, Du’s follow-on offering, and Lootah’s launch of SAF sales. Let’s dive right in.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The Smart Ports and Logistics Transformation Summit will close its doors today in Jeddah. The summit will host over 40 global and local speakers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore smart port solutions, port operations, and logistics within Saudi Arabia.

#2- London International Shipping Week is on its second day and will run through until Friday, 19 September in London. The cluster event brings together hundreds of maritime industry decision-makers and government officials to network and discuss key issues facing the industry. The week-long event will host over 350 functions — including its flagship conference hosted by the International Maritime Organization on Wednesday, 17 September.

Regional players are hosting some of the week’s events:

  • Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone will showcase Oman’s strengths as a globally integrated maritime hotspot today;
  • KSA’s Mawani will also host Set Sail to Saudi Arabia today.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Lootah Biofuels has begun supplying Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the UAE market, and plans to unveil its three-phase roadmap for deployment at the upcoming Dubai Airshow later this year, Gulf News reports. The company completed engineering studies for a dedicated SAF production plant in the UAE, with plans to import SAF in the short term and transition to full local production over time.

About the fuel: Lootah’s SAF — produced from used cooking oil and waste-derived fats — meets the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standard and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Not the first venture: Lootah signed an agreement with Malaysian counterpart FatHopes Energy to study the feasibility of establishing 200k sqm SAF feedstock aggregation storage terminal in Malaysia in 2023. The company also partnered with Emarat Petroleum to explore providing biofuel for the maritime industry back in December.

IN OTHER UAE NEWS- Abu Dhabi test-drives autonomous delivery vehicles: Abu Dhabi Mobility, in collaboration with K2 and Emirates Post 7X’s logistics arm EMX, has launched Abu Dhabi’s first pilot program for autonomous delivery vehicles, according to a statement. The trial operations for the vehicles — developed by K2 subsidiary Autogo — were executed in Masdar City. The firm also issued the nation’s first official license plate for a self-driving delivery vehicle — aligning with the emirate’s goal to shift 25% of all trips to smart transport solutions by 2040.

Lots of driverless initiatives in Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi-based drone manufacturer Lodd Autonomous is set to launch unmanned aerial vehicle parcel and cargo deliveries by 2H 2026 — with the first test flight scheduled in November. Abu Dhabi Mobility has also expanded its autonomous taxi services to include Al Reem and Al Maryah islands back in July. Autonomous taxis are already operational on Al Saadiyat and Yas islands, along with routes to Zayed International Airport.

ALSO FROM UAE- Rakez + India launch start-up initiative: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones (Rakez) and the UAE-India Cepa Council inked an MoU to launch the UAE-India Startup Series, helping Indian startups enter the Emirati market, according to a press release. The initiative will select 20 startups to participate in an event in New Delhi. Of those, five will receive incubation support to help them enter the UAE market, with Rakez set to provide full backing via a comprehensive package to one of the five. So far, 10k Indian startups have applied to the initiative.

#2- US port investments incoming to Egypt? A US business delegation is touring the country’s ports this week to explore collaborating with “Egyptian partners in developing world-class ports,” according to a statement from the US Embassy in Egypt. The delegation included representatives from Bechtel, Cisco, Hill International, TMEIC, OSI/Rapiscan, Aveva, and Alvarez & Marsal Holdings.

“The companies represented in Alexandria today embody the best of American innovation, technology, and expertise,” said US Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg at the start of the tour, which includes stops at the ports at Damietta, Port Said, and Ain Sokhna. “This US business delegation is eager to support Egypt’s port development efforts, laying the groundwork for enhanced security, economic growth, and prosperity for both our nations,” she added.

#3- An MoU for joint road and rail projects between Jordan, Syria, and Turkey could be in the works, after transport officials from the three countries drafted and submitted a joint proposal to their respective governments following an Amman meeting, Jordan Times reports.

Here are some of the proposal’s main elements:

  • Restarting the Hejaz Railway with Turkish aid to expedite Syria’s reconstruction efforts;
  • Reopening the Bab Al Hawa–Cilvegözü crossing for Jordanian trucks via Syria;
  • Launching joint technical studies for a railway network to connect Jordan, Syria, and Turkey to global transport corridors;
  • Boosting the overland freight route from Jordan’s Aqaba Port to Turkey and then to Eastern Europe.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices went up this morning as concerns of tightened supply continued to weigh in due to Ukraine attacks on Russian refineries, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures increased by USD 0.15 to reach USD 67.59 / bbl by 03.54 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained USD 0.15 to trade at USD 63.45 / bbl.

#2- Baltic index maintains upwards trajectory: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — rose 1.3% to 2,153points on Monday, its highest since 28 July. The capesize climbed 2.7% to 3,154 points, while the panamax index fell 0.1% to 2,003 points. The smaller supramax index rose by 0.1% to 1,493 points.

PSA-

Maersk revises its Qatar EXP: Shipping giant Maersk has revised its global export service surcharge (EXP) for Qatar-sourced containers to QAR 40, according to a statement. The EXP is applicable starting 15 October and is valid until further notice. The new surcharge applies to all 20-ft and 40-ft containers, as well as 45-ft high-cube dry containers traveling from Qatar.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UAE will host the Syria Recovery and Investment Forum on Wednesday, 24 September in Abu Dhabi. The forum will host leaders in business, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to develop practical solutions for Syria’s road to recovery and economic revival.

Turkey will host the Global Freight Summit on Sunday, 28 September until Wednesday, 1 October in Istanbul. The summit will host over 330 attendees and over 250 firms for policy and knowledge and strategies exchange between forwarding partners.

The UAE will host the African, Middle East, and Islamic Finance Aviation 100 Awards on Monday, 29 September until Wednesday, 1 October in Dubai. The event aims to highlight and reward the most remarkable transactions closed by airlines and aviation manufacturing and leasing firms.

The UAE will host the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference on Tuesday, 30 September until Thursday, 2 October in Abu Dhabi. The event will be hosted by Etihad Rail and is set to welcome over 200 global speakers and upwards of 20k industry attendees to share innovative solutions and develop partnerships.

Saudi Arabia will host the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress on Wednesday, 1 October and Thursday, 2 October in Dammam. It will host over 200 registered exhibitors and some 15k attendees from over 90 countries to discuss AI-powered fleet optimization, shifts in global trade, and intelligence-driven infrastructure.

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.

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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