STORAGE + WAREHOUSES-

Egyptian agrifood company Capital Agro launched a USD 25 mn integrated logistics complex in Sharqia for frozen food storage, according to a press release released on Saturday. The 30k sqm facility, set to hold an operational capacity exceeding 30k pallets, will operate using renewable energy. It includes large-scale cold storage units, as well as washing, sorting and packaging lines for fruits and vegetables. The company will invest USD 15 mn before the year is out and the remaining USD 10 mn by 2027.

This marks the second big cold storage project announced in as many months after DP World and Elsewedy Industrial Development announced that they will set up a USD 29 mn cold storage facility in 6th of October last month.

What is cold storage and could it be the future of Egypt’s storage industry? We dove into the topic in a Hardhat published earlier this year — check it out here.

TRADE-

Abu Dhabi gets new perishable goods trade office: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has formed a new multi-agency partnership with agri-food agencies aimed at expanding the trade of high-quality perishable goods in Al Ain region and the wider Emirates, according to a press release published on Friday. The partnership aims to streamline the flow of perishable goods across the entire agri-trade supply chain in Abu Dhabi.

Who’s involved? ADIO linked up with Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Customs, and Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority to ensure the fast transfer of goods, as well as tapping local agri-tech firms Silal, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, ESG Agro, and Elite Agro Holding to maintain high-quality production.

Leveraging logistics infrastructure: The partnership aims to leverage Abu Dhabi’s logistics services and export procedures, including its regulations and key location, to boost export operations. The advanced air cargo and logistics infrastructure in Al Ain offers an optimum platform for testing and optimizing refrigerated exports.

GROUND HANDLING-

Emirates taps SAL to handle its Saudi operations: Saudi Logistics Services (SAL) has renewed its partnership agreement with Emirates SkyCargo to provide integrated ground handling and air cargo solutions in Saudi airports, according to a Tadawulstatement released on Thursday. The agreement has no set value, with services — including cargo ground handling, aircraft offloading and loading, and ramp operations — exchanged on a demand basis. The pair originally began their collab through a strategic agreement inked back in 2021.

A growing market: Emirates SkyCargo’s e-commerce delivery solution Emirates Delivers launched operations in Saudi Arabia last year — enabling customers in the Kingdom to deliver products from the UK, US, and UAE marketplaces.

SAL is on a ground handling spree: Tadawul-listed Saudi Ground Services (SGS) inked an addendum to its 2022 sign-off agreement with SAL to provide ramp and cargo aircraft prep services, in July. Under the SAR 16 mn contract, SGS is set to offer cargo aircraft and water services for three years, effective until the end of 2027. The firm also entered a partnership to enhance logistics services at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport with Al Madinah Region Development Authority, earlier this year.

ROADS-

Saudi Arabia’s Qassim Region is set to inaugurate a major road network expansion project — valued at SAR 996 mn, state news agency Wam reported last week. Currently, six development projects earmarked for SAR 831 mn are underway, including a 161 km link road connecting the Qassim-Madinah Highway with the Ar Rass-Afif Highway. The new link aims to boost access to the southwestern governorates of Qassim and improve traffic safety. The project also includes the development of a new 135 km highway and a 26 km dual carriageway.

PIPELINES-

Jordan extends Aqaba LNG transport agreement to secure local stock: Jordan’s Energy Ministry, the Jordanian-Egyptian Fajr Natural Gas Company, and the National Electric Power Company have extended their agreement to transport regasified LNG from the floating storage and regasification unit in Aqaba, Petra reported last week. The agreement comes after the conclusion of an initial 10-year agreement set to expire this year, and will utilize the floating unit Energos Force — co-chartered with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company — until Aqaba’s new LNG terminal is completed at the end of next year.

The rationale: The move looks to secure Jordan’s continued supply of natural gas through the 500 km gas network traveling from Aqaba to the Jordan-Syria border in the north, offering natural gas to several power plants and industrial facilities.

ON A RELATED NOTE- Energean inked a 15-year transmission agreement for Israel’s Nitzana pipeline to Egypt, the LSE-listed oil and gas company said in a statement (pdf) released on Friday. Under the agreement with the state-owned Israel Natural Gas Lines, the company will supply 1 bcm a year and cover USD 100 mn — or 16.4% — of construction costs.

Tags: