Good morning, ladies and gents. We have another brisk read this morning, led by news from QatarEnergy setting up shop in UK’s Isle of Grain LNG and the Cyprus’ Cronos field is moving closer to Egyptian processing by the day.

PLUS: We have an interesting read diving into how air freighters are facing a jet supply crunch — and many are turning to retrofits as a solution.

THIS JUST IN- The EU is facing energy and trade threats from the US and Qatar over the bloc’s proposed rules on corporate sustainability, the Financial Times reports, citing a joint letter to EU leaders signed by the US and Qatari energy ministers it has seen. The two countries see the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as creating an “‘existential threat’ to the growth, competitiveness, and resilience of the European economy,” they said in the letter.

Trade agreements in the balance? The rules would also negatively impact their LNG exports and potentially a recent US-EU energy trade agreement, the US and Qatar said. “Beyond the direct energy security risks, the CSDDD also threatens to disrupt trade and investments across nearly all the EU’s partner economies. Its implementation could jeopardize existing and future investments, employment, and compliance with recent trade agreements.”

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Jordan, Iraq extend oil supply arrangement: Jordan reached an agreement with Iraq last month to extend its oil supply by around three months, which will see Iraq supplying Jordan with 10k bbl / d at USD 16 below the monthly average Brent crude price, AlMamlaka reports, citing unnamed sources. Jordan-bound supplies reportedly resumed on 5 October, and are slated to continue until 31 December, the sources said.

IN CONTEXT- Jordan’s petroleum refinery in Zarqa received some 117k bbl of Iraqi crude oil between 11-19 October as part of an MoU signed last month, according to a statement from Jordan’s Energy Ministry. Amman and Baghdad are also mulling extending the MoU for an additional year after its expiration on 26 June, the statement said.

#2- Madayn issues tender for Suwaiq Industrial City: Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) launched a tender for the development of the first phase of Suwaiq Industrial City in North Al Batinah governorate, Oman News Agency reports. The tender, which will cover the development of 5 mn sqm, includes the construction of an internal road network.

#3- GE Aerospace brightens outlook amid jet shortage: GE Aerospace raised its earnings outlook to USD 6-6.2 per share — up from USD 5.6-58 previously — as it reported 10% y-o-y adjusted revenue growth in 2024, according to its earnings release. This marks the second consecutive quarter for the company to raise its earnings guidance, Reuters reports. The bullish sentiment comes as Boeing and Airbus continue to miss delivery deadlines, raising demand for engine maintenance — a key part of GE Aerospace’s business model. The company also raised its growth forecast for Leap engine deliveries, expecting it to jump by more than 20% this year.

Expanding maintenance efforts: GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines expanded their existing maintenance agreement with Sanad to offer full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for Leap-1A and Leap-1B engines at Sanad’s Abu Dhabi facilities earlier this year. GE Aerospace plugged USD 10 mn into its two MRO facilities in the UAE and Qatar in a bid to increase operational efficiency and turnaround time last February.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices inched up this morning by nearly 1% — driven by sanctions-related supply concerns and hopes of a US-China trade agreement, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures climbed up by USD 0.94 to USD 62.26 / bbl as of 04:00 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) eased USD 0.92 to trade at USD 58.16 / bbl.

ALSO- India’s Reliance Industries purchased some 2.5 mn bbl of oil from the Middle East last week, with the potential to bag more, Bloomberg reports, citing traders familiar with the matter. The shipments included Iraq’s Basrah Medium and Qatar’s Al-Shaheen and Qatar Land grades.

ICYMI- Indian oil giants, including Reliance, have been sourcing crude from their traditional Middle Eastern suppliers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to geographical proximity amid sanctions on Russian imports.

These are confusing times: India’s state-run refiners plan to reduce LPG imports from the Middle East, instead boosting their US sourcing throughout 2026. State refiners have notified traditional suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries about the expected cuts, though the scale of the reduction has not been finalized.

#2- Baltic index inches up: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — gained 23 points to 2,094, driven by the bigger vessel segments. The capesize increased 1.8% to 3,184, while the panamax index rose 1.6% points to 1,858. The smaller supramax index shed 8 points to 1,414.

DATA POINT-

China’s LNG imports remain subdued: China’s LNG imports declined 15% y-o-y in September, with a 17% YTD decrease, due to increased pipeline deliveries and ample domestic supply, Bloomberg reports. The National Energy Administration expects gas demand to grow only 2–3% in 2025 — the slowest pace on record.

Maneuvering through geopolitical chaos: Chinese importers are hedging against geopolitical risks by filling LNG storage tanks to around 80% capacity — avoiding competition for cargoes in a volatile European market, potential disruptions in the Middle East, and trade tensions with the US.

***YOU’RE READING EnterpriseAM Logistics, the essential MENA publication for senior execs who care about the industry that connects producers and retailers to global markets. We’re out Monday through Thursday by 9:15am in Cairo and Riyadh and 11:15am in the UAE.

EnterpriseAM Logistics is available without charge thanks to the generous support of our friends at Hassan Allam Utilities, Transmar, and AK-Ships.

Were you forwarded this email? Tap or click here to get your own copy of Enterprise Logistics.

Want to send us a story idea, request coverage, ask for a correction, or otherwise get in touch? Reach out to us on logistics@enterprisemea.com.

DID YOU KNOW that we also cover Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE ? ***

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

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.

Egypt will host the TransMea Expo on Sunday, 9 November until Tuesday, 11 November in Cairo. The expo will host regional and international players in the transport industry to explore tech, new smart solutions and products for transport and logistics services.

The UAE will host the Dubai Airshow on Monday, 17 November until Friday, 21 November in Dubai. The event will host over 1.5k exhibitors and 148k industry experts from over 150 countries, to discuss air mobility, new MRO breakthroughs, sustainable aviation, startups and new tech for aircraft simulations.

Saudi Arabia will host the ShipTek International Conference and Awards on Tuesday, 18 November in Al Khobar. The conference will host policy makers, organizations, suppliers and experts on maritime, offshore and oil and gas

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

Tags: