Good morning, friends. We’re finishing the week strong with a packed issue, led by news about AD Ports’s possible USD 2 bn investments in India, and CMA CGM exploring investing in a new terminal in Jeddah port. PLUS: A slew of debt, zones, ports, startups, and earnings updates from across the region.
HAPPENING TODAY-
US President Donald Trump and China’s own Xi Jinping met today for the first time in over six years, amid reports that the leaders of the world's biggest economies were set to sign a trade pact that would tone down their trade sparring.
We still don’t have an official statement from either China or the US, but Trump emerged happily from the meeting, telling reporters the meeting was “amazing” and that he rates it at a “12” on a scale of one to 10, NBC reported.
What we know so far: Trump said he will lower tariffs on China by 10%, adding that China also pledged to resume purchases of US soybeans, which the Asian giant halted earlier this year as leverage, given it is one of the biggest buyers of the US agricultural commodity.
WATCH THIS SPACE-
#1- We have a winning consortium for Baghdad airport ticket: Iraq awarded a consortium led by Luxembourg-based Corporation America Airports the contract to develop and operate Baghdad International Airport, Reuters reports, citing a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister Office. The consortium will invest some USD 764 mn into the project, which includes infrastructure rehabilitation, a new passenger terminal, and a revamp of the air cargo building, according to a statement seen by Shafaq News.
This means it’s a wrap for the Asyad Holdings-led consortium, which was among the threegroups shortlisted for the 25-year public-private partnership contract. The consortium also included China’s Top International Engineering Corporation, Turkey’s YDA İnşaat, Bahrain’s Lamar Holding, and Ireland’s Dublin Airport Authority.
Background: The airport began accepting bids for the revamp in July, with the project previously earmarked for USD 400-600 mn. The project was backed and put together with the help of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The IFC partnered with the Iraqi government as a transaction advisor for the 2023 project to rehabilitate Baghdad International Airport. The IFC agreed to conduct due diligence and propose a transaction structure before issuing a tender to attract private investors.
#2- New logistics zones incoming in Egypt: The Egyptian cabinet approved a draft presidential decree allocating three plots of state-owned land in North Sinai to the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports, according to a statement. The three plots include 603 feddans in Rafah, 352 feddans in Al Hasana, and 527 feddans in Baghdad. The move comes as part of the government’s plan to position Egypt as a global gateway for trade and logistics — including the development of several logistics zones in Sinai linked to Al Arish-Taba integrated logistics corridor.
Wait, there’s more: The Transport Ministry is reportedly planning to set up an integrated logistics hub in the new capital spanning 318 feddans at an estimated cost of USD 100 mn, Asharq Business reports, citing sources it says are in the know. The project will be developed by a private-sector company selected by direct award.
Part of a bigger plan: The ministry aims to fast-track the project to coincide with the launch of the country’s high-speed rail line, which will be used to transport cargo between the logistics zone and seaports.
#3- Alpha Dhabi reverses course on investment in Indonesian road toll infrastructure: Abu Dhabi-based holding company Alpha Dhabi has terminated discussions with Indonesian toll road developer PT Bakrie Toll Indonesia over a potential investment in road toll infrastructure in the country, according to a disclosure (pdf) to the ADX yesterday. The company had entered a non-binding agreement with the Indonesian firm earlier in September, but remained at a preliminary stage. No reason was provided for the termination of the agreement.
#4- A trade agreement between the UK and GCC can be reached “very soon,” Reuters quoted UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves as saying earlier this week. Reeves — on the first visit to the region by a British finance minister in six years — met with Commerce Minister Majid Al Qasabi to talk trade, economic relations, and promising sectors and will hold talks with counterparts from Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar to advance negotiations with the block.
MARKET WATCH-
#1- Oil prices dropped slightly this morning, sustaining most of the major gains they made during Wednesday’s trading on the back of hopes of a US-China agreement, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures were down USD 0.04 to USD 64.88 / bbl as of 04:11 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) decreased USD 0.09 to trade at USD 60.39 / bbl.
Meanwhile, Global oil demand is now expected to peak in 2032, as transport and petrochemicals keep hydrocarbons in the system for longer, Reuters reports, citing Wood Mackenzie’s latest Energy Transition Outlook. The consultancy links the delay to persistent fossil fuel use reinforced by AI-driven power demand and geopolitical tensions, noting that these trends have pushed 2050 net-zero targets out of reach.
Talking demand: Liquids demand is seen topping out at 108 mn bbl / d in 2032, with gas consumption projected to stay firm well into the 2040s. China’s oil demand — at 16 mn bbl /d this year — could fall by 35% by 2060 on the back of accelerating EV uptake. However India, Southeast Asia, and Africa are set to remain the main engines of demand growth.
Talking financing for net-zero: Hitting a 2°C pathway would require annual investment of USD 4.3 tn between 2025 and 2060 — roughly 30% above current pace — for the energy system to achieve net zero by 2060, Reuters added, citing WoodMac. That implies energy spending rising from 2.5% of global GDP to 3.5% within the next decade.
#2- Baltic breaks its losing streak: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — rose 0.6% to 1,961 points on Wednesday, driven by the larger-size segment. The capesize increased 2.1% to 2,843 points, while the panamax index shed 1% to 1,885 points. The smaller supramax index shed 8 points to 1,342.
#3- European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is expecting the global air cargo market to grow 3.3% per year over the next 20 years, despite newbuild delivery delays and supply chain snags, according to a statement. The forecast is based on long-term trade predictions, putting the compound annual growth rate at 2.7% globally over the next two decades. The firm is predicting the global freighter fleet will grow by 45% to 3.42k aircraft by 2045 — made up of 1.6k jets converted from passenger and 935 specialized freighter newbuilds. Of the total demand for 2.6k freighter jet deliveries, nearly two-thirds will come from Asia-Pacific and North America.
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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.




