DP World to funnel USD 296 mn into Brazil’s Santos Port

1

What we're tracking today

TODAY: DP World to funnel more funds in Brazil’s Santos port

Good morning, nice people. We’re starting the week with an issue full to the brim, led by a spate of projects’ updates spanning all things logistics from across the region. The issue also have the latest PMI readings — and they’re looking good for the UAE’s and Lebanon’s non-oil private sectors. PLUS: We sat down with Egytrans, or rather now Egytrans-Nosco, CEO Abir Leheta to discuss what’s next after the reverse merger with Nosco. Let’s get the ball rolling.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

The Rail Industry Summit will kick off tomorrow and run until Wednesday, 10 December in El Jadida, Morocco. The two-day event will bring together 130 exhibitors, 250 companies, and more than 900 participants from 15 countries, and will host business meetings, high-level panels, and hands-on workshops focused on new market trends and future rail strategies.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Kabul taps DP World for possible port upgrades: Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry inked an MoU with port operator DP World to explore modernizing key dry and river ports at landlocked Afghanistan, according to a statement by the state news outlet Bakhtar News Agency on X. Under the MoU, a first phase of the project would cover upgrades to port infrastructure in the river port city of Hairatan and the border city of Torkham, while later phases would cover enhancements to other logistics corridors as well as economic zones across Afghanistan, the independent outlet Pajhwok Afghan News reported, citing the Afghani Deputy Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Mufti Abdullah Azam.

What else we know: The agreement is structured as a public–private partnership (PPP), and will see DP World undertake a technical and financial feasibility study before finalizing a concession, state news agency Wam reports.

#2- Rabat to officially launch NWM port by end of 2026: Morocco is set to formally launch commercial operations at the Nador West Med (NWM) port by the end of 2026, instead of previously planned 2027, General Manager Mohamed Jamal Benjelloun told Asharq Business on Thursday. The port — backed by a MAD 40 bn (c. USD 4.2 bn) government investment — will feature Morocco’s first LNG import terminal, with a peak storage capacity of 175k cbm and a delivery schedule for 1H 2027.

REMEMBER- NWM reportedly began operations ahead of schedule by exporting a shipment of wind turbines produced in Nador by the Chinese firm Aeolon last week. The shipment is bound for a European port, with more exports expected to continue at a regular pace in the coming weeks.

#3- The shipping industry’s return to the Suez Canal is still TBD — and any return will be gradual, Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said in an online call with customers, Reuters reported on Thursday. Despite the Houthis committing to stop their attack on passing vessels following October’s Gaza ceasefire agreement, the shipping line is still closely monitoring the security situation before deciding to properly return to the canal, he said.

But when a date is set, don’t expect vessels to come streaming back immediately, with a planned transition period of 60-90 days to reduce any congestion issues and give time for logistics operators to prepare.

#4- Adnoc is among several potential investors reportedly in talks with the German government to buy the trading unit of Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (Sefe), the former trading and supply arm of Russian gas firm Gazprom, Bloomberg reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter. The government is eyeing several options, which could include carving out the trading unit and separating it from strategic gas assets, or pursuing privatization through a public share offering as they look at reprivatization from “all angles,” the sources said.

Sefe? The company was nationalized in 2022 in a EUR 6.3 bn transaction at a time when the energy crisis was at its peak, but the European Commission now demands that the government reduce its stake in the firm, which is still importing Russian LNG to Europe through France on the back of a legacy contract. The company is currently expanding its LNG assets and recently acquired German gas grid operator Wiga in an effort to boost its valuation ahead of the exit. The government had tapped JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank to work on the privatization process.

ICYMI- This comes after the European Union (EU) voted last week to phase out its Russian energy imports, with late 2026 scheduled for halting Russian LNG imports and September 2027 for pipeline natural gas, Reuters reported last week. Meanwhile, the EU penciled in 1Q 2026 for a vote on a plan to halt Russian oil imports as soon as 2027. Russia accounted for 12% of the EU’s natural gas imports as of October — significantly down from the pre-Ukraine invasion share of 45%.

#5- GCC advances unified civil aviation authority plan + taps UAE as HQ: The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a proposal to establish a unified civil aviation authority for the Gulf region, advancing a plan that could unify aviation regulations and integrate operations across the six GCC members, according to a statement released last week. The GCC also named the UAE as the headquarters for the new authority. No further details about the plan were disclosed.

DISRUPTION WATCH-

A bulk carrier passing through Bab el-Mandeb Strait was attacked on Friday by what are suspected to be Somali pirates, Lloyd’s List reported over the weekend, citing the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The Handysize vessel (31,896 dwt) — alleged to be the Barbados-flagged vessel Bobik — was attacked twice by armed men on 15 skiff boats, but the vessel’s armed guards aboard returned fire, and the crew was reported to be safe, the maritime news outlet reported, citing security sources from the region.

The attack is the latest in a string of incidents in the area believed to be linked to Somali piracy last month, adding a new challenge to the push for a smooth return to normal in the Red Sea route a few months after Houthis paused their attacks since the uneasy Gaza ceasefire.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices rose this morning amid predictions that an expected US interest rate cut would spur growth and energy demands, as well as growing geopolitical risks to Venezuelan and Russian oil supplies, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures rose USD 0.09 to trade at USD 63.84 / bbl as of 03:21 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up USD 0.08 to USD 60.16 / bbl. The slight increase today, on top of a rate surge on Friday, brought oil prices to a two-week high.

Meanwhile in the region, Aramco lowered the price of its main Arab Light crude for Asia to USD 1.50 / bbl, a USD 0.6 premium over the Oman-Dubai benchmark, according to reports by Bloomberg and Argaam. This marks the lowest level since January 2021 and comes in line with expectations. Arab Heavy and Arab Medium fell by USD 0.60 / bbl versus the Oman-Dubai average, while Arab Extra Light and Arab Super Light were reduced by USD 0.20 / barrel, Mees reports.

IN CONTEXT- The move comes amid persistent signs of a global oil surplus, with crude prices down about 16% this year due to strong supply from the Americas and Opec+ output.

SPEAKING OF- Opec’s crude output held largely steady in November at just over 29 mn bbl / d, reflecting a cautious stance amid growing signs of a global oil surplus, a Bloomberg survey showed. A 60k bbl / d uptick from the UAE was offset by minor declines in Iran, Gabon, and Saudi Arabia.

ICYMI- Opec+ agreed to freeze production increases in 1Q 2026 to manage seasonal demand softness and gauge geopolitical risks to Russian and Venezuelan supplies. The decision keeps 3.24 mn bbl / d of production cuts in place, representing some 3% of global demand.

#2- Baltic index breaks its upward streak: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — decreased 3.1% to 2,727 points on Friday due to downward pressure across all segments. The capesize dropped 4.4% to 5,083, while the panamax index shed 1.4% to 1,837 points, and the smaller supramax index eased by 5 points to 1,436.

#3- The Drewry World Container Index increased by 7% to USD 1,927 per 40-ft container on Thursday, according to the latest index readings. The upward jump followed three weeks of decline and was attributed to hikes on Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes. Rates for Transpacific headhaul shipping recovered, with Shanghai to Los Angeles spot rates surging 8% to USD 2,256 per 40-ft container, while Shanghai to New York rates rose 6% to USD 2,895.

***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-

Saudi Arabia is hosting the Saudi Airport Exhibition on Tuesday, 16 December until Wednesday, 17 December in Riyadh. Upward of 10k global attendees are expected to participate in the event from over 100 countries. The two-day event will focus on airport-related innovation, and will feature participation from Saudia, SolitAir, and Amadeus.

Saudi Arabia is hosting SkyMove Air Cargo MENA on Tuesday, 27 January until Wednesday, 28 January in Riyadh. The event is expected to welcome more than 600 attendees from over 60 countries. The event will unite the whole air cargo value chain, analyze market trends, mitigate potential challenges, and leverage emerging windows.

The UAE is hosting the Middle East ProcureTech Summit on Tuesday, 27 January until Wednesday, 28 January in Dubai. The two-day event will spotlight the shifts in the procurement sector, paying special attention to digital and cloud procurement, and provide a networking platform for executives and industry innovators.

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

DP World injects USD 296 mn into expanding handling capacity at Brazil’s Santos Port

DP World to boost Santos Port handling capacity by 25%: UAE’s port operator DP World is earmarking USD 296 mn in a bid to boost capacity and improve terminal operations at Brazil’s Santos Port, aiming to increase the total handling capacity at the port by 25% to 2.1 mn TEUs by 2028, according to a statement released last week.

Where’s the money going? The investment ticket will be funneled toward infrastructure development, including the construction of a new berth and expanding the yard, enlarging inspection areas, revamping access gates, and adding more reefer towers. It will also fund the uptake of four quay cranes, 15 rubber-tired gantry cranes, and 40 internal transfer vehicles.

Background: The new investment builds on a larger total of over USD 555 mn that DP World has invested in Brazil since launching there 12 years ago. Last year, DP World said it invested some USD 83.3 mn into expansion projects in Santos, which are currently underway. This includes the development of a 190-meter quay extension to enhance berth flexibility and boost handling capacity to 1.7 mn TEUs by next year.

DATA POINT- The Santos terminal saw its container throughput rise by a record breaking 14% y-o-y to 1.25 mn TEUs in 2024, the statement adds. Since DP World launched operations at the terminal in 2013, it has processed over 10 mn TEUs of goods.

A special love for Santos? The firm extended its agreement with global shipping line Hapag-Lloyd over container handling operations in Santos for another 10 years in September. It also inked an eight-year strategic agreement with Danish shipping giant Maersk to expand maritime services and container handling capacity at the port. DP World inked an agreement with Brazil’s leading railway operator Rumo to establish a new terminal for grains and fertilizers at Santos Port last year.

Saudi Arabia launches tenders for rail, airport capacity expansions

Saudi Arabia tenders airport + railway projects: The Saudi government is seeking bids for projects aimed at expanding airport and railway capacities, Meed reported last week (here and here). A SAR 4 bn project will double-track the phosphate railway network, while King Salman Int’l Airport is looking to award a 30-year concession for a new fuel facility.

#1- Expanding phos-freight capacity: Saudi Arabia Railways has issued a tender for a contract worth over SAR 4 bn (c. USD 1 bn) to double-track its phosphate railway network. The 100 km project — for whom ARX is consulting — aims to connect Waad Al Shamal mines to Ras Al Khair in the Eastern Province. This entails alignment changes, new utility bridges, widening of culverts and hydrological structures, as well as converting AZ1 station’s siding to a mainline track. The deadline to submit bids is 20 January 2026.

More to come: The project reportedly comprises the first of four projects expected to overhaul the country’s phosphate rail infrastructure, with the upcoming tenders focusing on a second section of track doubling and building the associated depot.

Part of the bigger mining picture: The government's significant expansion of rail capacity directly supports the increased industrial and mining investment in Wa'ad Al Shamal. This investment is currently valued at over SAR 80 bn, with future phosphate projects slated to boost the total commitment by an additional SAR 50 bn. The construction of the Phosphate 3 project in Wa'ad Al Shamal is expected to increase Saudi Arabia's annual phosphate production to 9 mn tons.

ICYMI: Saudi Arabia approved the doubling of the Saudi Arabia Railways’ North Train Freight Line with an investment of some SAR 4 bn last year. The 1.5k km freight line — previously called the North-South Railway — is the country’s longest railway and supports mining operations.

#2- King Salman Int’l Airport to get added fuel capacity: PIF-owned King Salman International Airport Development Company is looking to award a 30-year concession at King Salman International Airport, which will establish aircraft fuel storage facilities, distribution networks, and hydrant systems for new parking areas for aircraft. The project consists of a public-private partnership operating on a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain basis.

That's not all: The project will also consist of a new into-plane service facility and aviation fuel farm, which will include six above-ground storage tanks providing 130k cbm of capacity by 2050 and 24 fuel pumps.

The timeline: The project’s first phase is expected to complete construction by early 2029 and reach financial close by the end of 2026. The investment ticket was not disclosed. Bids must be submitted before 1 March 2026.

ICYMI- The King Salman International Airport — an expansion of the capital’s King Khalid International Airport — is poised to be one of the world’s largest, to accommodate up to 120 mn passengers by 2030 and 185 mn passengers by 2050.

Morocco announces a spate of logistics projects as part of its plan for Western Sahara

Morocco looks to Western Sahara for logistics projects: The Moroccan government has signed three agreements laying plans for logistics infrastructure projects in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region located in the disputed Western Sahara territory, according to a statement.

Here’s a breakdown of the slated projects:

A logistics zone in Aargoub: A MAD 134 mn new economic and logistics zone will be established in Aargoub, covering 20 hectares at an estimated cost of MAD 134 mn. The project’s aim is to reduce logistics costs and improve storage and transportation costs;
A trade and distribution zone in Guerguerat: A new trade and distribution zone will be introduced in Guerguerat, which is expected to spur foreign trade and attract investment. Its investment ticket was undisclosed;
Guerguerat road project: The first phase of a two-hectare road center in Guerguerat, aiming to enhance road safety and regulate traffic. No investment ticket was disclosed.

Part of bigger plans: The new projects in Dakhla, Aargoub, and Guerguerat are key components of an integrated logistics plan laid out for Western Sahara, of which the Dakhla Atlantic Port will be key, Moroccan Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh reportedly said. The projects will also be part of the Kingdom’s larger plans to add 750 hectares of logistics area by 2028.

Western Sahara is seeing a lot of logistics action: Morocco is advancing major infrastructure projects in the disputed territories, including a new airport project that is now undergoing feasibility studies and the under-construction 1 USD bn Dakhla port project. The Kingdom also completed construction works this year on a new 1.1k km, MAD 8.5 bn expressway connecting the country’s two southern provinces to the north.

The UAE and Lebanon’s non-oil private sectors expand in November

Breaking down non-oil private sector performance in the UAE + Lebanon: Purchasing Manager Indices (PMIs) tracking non-energy sectors posted an expansion in both economies in November, recording readings above the 50 mark for a healthy growth threshold.

REMEMBER- The all-important 50.0 mark is the threshold separating contraction from growth. Anything above 50 denotes expansion, while anything below indicates contraction.

UAE-

The UAE's non-oil private sector activity expanded at the fastest pace in 11 months in November, marking a solid improvement in activity, boosted by favorable market conditions and increased business intakes. The country’s seasonally adjusted S&P Global PMI (pdf) hit a nine-month high of 54.8 in November, up from 53.8 a month earlier. November’s reading lands just above the 54.3 survey long-run average.

New orders picked up in November to hit their highest level in 11 months, with the surveyed businesses citing robust market conditions leading to an increase in client orders, which have also supported the upturn for many sectors. Further, firms attributed the strong sales volumes to product innovation, market diversification, and technological advances. The new orders subindex reached 57.4 in November, from a 56.0 reading last month, according to Reuters.

Business activity accelerated to 61.6 in November from 58.6 a month earlier, marking the joint-fastest rate in over 18 months, similar to last December’s strong readings, according to NBD.

Employment rose to its highest levels in a year and a half during the month, but at a slow rate. The overall increase in employment came on the back of elevated sales, with firms highlighting further intensified capacity pressures due to “delays in settling payments related to previous work,” according to the report.

Purchasing activity surged for the third month in a row, but firms consumed inputs at a faster rate, marking the fourth reduction in stocks in five months. Surveyed firms reported maintaining an adequate level of inventory for their sales pipelines, while showing high confidence in accurate delivery times.

Input costs soared to mark their steepest increase since September 2024, mainly due to the rise in wage costs, which soared to their highest levels seen in over eight years. “The sharper rise in employment was accompanied by a steeper increase in wage costs, as firms cited the need to raise salaries in response to cost-of-living pressures and skill shortages,” S&P Global Senior Economist David Owen wrote in the report.

Meanwhile, output prices saw a moderate rise during November, outpacing the previous two months.

Business sentiment: Confidence rebounded from October’s dip, with more than 13% of firms anticipating greater output levels in 2026, while around 1% of participants forecast a drop for the coming year. The upbeat sentiment is boosted by an anticipated increase in sales accompanied by positive market conditions.

LEBANON-

The Lebanese non-oil private sector continued its expansion in November, marking its fourth month in the green territory, according to Blominvest Bank’s Lebanon PMI (pdf). The country’s headline PMI increased to 51.3 from 50.6 recorded in October. The uptick was attributed to increased new orders and a rise in demand, which led to higher levels of output and employment.

New orders soared at their quickest pace, seeing records matching September’s peak, with new export orders rising for the first time since February. Business activity accelerated from October’s records, marking its fourth in a while, with new business inflows surging from demand pressures to further accelerate output levels in November.

Employment levels continued to rise, albeit at a slower pace from October’s exceptional readings. As a result, work backlogs increased during the month, signaling restrained resources, yet the rate of accumulation was modest, according to the report.

Purchasing activity picked up in November, with a surge in stocks amid slowed delivery times from suppliers, yet “the extent of the delays was minimal.”

Input cost inflation also surged during the month as surveyed members cited increases in prices of metals, import costs, customs duties, and shipping fees, leading to an overall increase in purchase prices. However, output inflation eased for the first time in three months.

Sentiment hasn’t rebounded, despite data showing a rise in confidence levels as security concerns outweigh the positive outlook. “Still, amid these challenges, Beirut One [Lebanon’s investor conference] kept hopes for reforms and international support alive, with talks with the IMF pointing to a possible [agreement] in the near future,” Blominvest Bank’s General Manager Fadi Osseiran wrote in the report.

Egytrans’ Abir Leheta details the inside track of Egytrans-Nosco merger

Coffee with Abir Leheta: EnterpriseAM sat down with Abir Leheta (LinkedIn), CEO of Egytrans-Nosco, on the sidelines of the ring the bell ceremony marking the official trading debut on EGX for the new company that resulted from Leheta’s Egytrans reverse merger with the National Transport and Overseas Services Company (Nosco). We asked Leheta about how doing business in the new entity would look and what’s next for Egytrans-Nosco amid a mix of challenges and opportunities in the Egyptian and regional logistics markets.

REMEMBER- Egytrans finally completed its acquisition of 99.9% of Nosco’s EGX-listed shares in September after more than two years of delay, marking the first reverse merger on the Egyptian Stock Exchange through a share swap. Under the transaction terms, Egytrans’ Abir Leheta will be CEO of shared services for the merged entity, while Nosco’s Mohamed Nadim will be CEO for commercial affairs and operations. Maged Shawky will continue as Chairman.

Edited excerpts from our conversation:

EnterpriseAM: Following the reverse merger, how does Egytrans-Nosco stand out and improve its competitiveness in the logistics market?

Abir Leheta (AL): Today, we have merged two entities, each bringing a unique set of strengths to the table. Egytrans’ core advantage was its diversity and continuous expansion in services. Nosco, meanwhile, offered deep expertise in specialized transport, road transport, and major projects. By combining these strengths, we move beyond simple service provision to offering integrated solutions for clients needing complex logistics answers, or for those seeking significant transport economies.

We're now 1.5 times the size of Egytrans pre-merger. The acquisition dramatically increased our scale. Our capital grew from EGP 156 mn to EGP 224 mn, pushing our market capitalization above EGP 1 bn. Regarding physical capacity, we manage a total storage capacity of 72k sqm. This includes 46k sqm managed by Egytrans and 26k sqm inherited from Nosco

EnterpriseAM: What is the official structure and brand identity moving forward? Will Nosco’s brand name remain in use?

AL: The listed parent company will be renamed “Egytrans-Nosco,” and a corporate restructuring plan will be rolled out following an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting scheduled for 11 December. Under the plan, Egytrans-Nosco will centrally manage all our transport and logistics investments. Beneath this umbrella, we will have four fully-owned subsidiaries: Egytrans for Logistics Solutions, Egytrans for Storage Solutions, Nosco (retaining its role as the road transport and projects arm), and our Saudi-based launchpad, Egytrans Arabia. Additionally, we maintain strategic ownership in partner companies like Wilhelmsen Group and Nafith International.

EnterpriseAM: Can you share with us some details about your growth plans?

AL: We achieved significant growth in our logistics services, which is our core business, averaging 50% annual expansion in that activity in recent years, and we are maintaining a strategic focus on it. Regarding other services, our storage capabilities will see a major expansion with the addition of a 17k sqm warehouse in Ain Sokhna, slated for rollout next year. We are also moving into the business of transporting agricultural crops. As for our transport services, it highly depends on the volume of active projects in Egypt and how many more projects we are able to secure — so, it varies.

Moving forward, the merger will enable us to take on more clients and projects. It also made us able to send part of our fleet to Saudi Arabia. We recently secured a wind transport project that began in August and will continue until the first half of 2026. We are also heavily involved in the mobility sector, supporting projects like the Abu Qir Metro, and are executing multiple major transport operations at the Dabaa nuclear power station.

EnterpriseAM: Speaking of more clients, can you tell us more about your expansion into Saudi Arabia?

Egytrans Arabia launched operations in the Kingdom last January with three primary goals for the year: Establishing a strong presence, building a robust team, and developing a powerful fleet. It has already secured projects in the railway, electricity, NEOM station, and petroleum sectors. Crucially, we are utilizing it to increase freight traffic between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, positioning Egytrans Arabia as our key launchpad for serving the entire Gulf region.

EnterpriseAM: The use of tech and AI-powered applications can help several trucking companies consolidate bigger market shares. Where does the new entity stand on technology?

AL: AI is now integrated into our operations, from warehouses to increase their efficiency, to the organization and planning of road transport. This leads to helping reduce travel distances and ensuring better utilization of our fleet.

Our investment in Nafith Egypt — a JV focused on digitized logistics solutions with Nafith International — underscores our serious commitment to tech in the sector. We firmly believe that digitization can improve not just our company’s performance, but the performance of the economy as a whole by improving the movement of transport within the country. Furthermore, we maintain a strong interest in transport and logistics startups, adopting ideas and establishing partnerships through programs like Logivators.

EnterpriseAM: Have Red Sea trade disruptions affected your operations in the short term? How did you adapt?

AL: The disruptions certainly had an impact, but they pushed us to innovate. For example, we swiftly rolled out a new transit service connecting China and the Gulf countries to Europe via Egyptian territory. It’s a solution that was crafted to save our customers a lot of time compared to taking the long route around the Cape of Good Hope.

EnterpriseAM: Can you comment on Egytrans’ financial performance in recent years?

AL: We saw a downward trend in the bottom line recently, primarily due to the merger process. Many projects were concentrated under Nosco’s umbrella, which did not immediately reflect in Egytrans's performance before consolidation. Once consolidated financial statements are released, this trend will be remedied.

We also faced a decline in freezone activity due to a government decision halting the entry of cars for people living with disabilities. Consequently, we are pivoting our freezone services to focus on other goods and value-added services aimed at export.

EnterpriseAM: What’s your take on Egypt’s logistics sector today? And what sort of policies would you like to see introduced?

AL: It is a promising sector, and there has been room for development. There have been major investments in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and ports. There is also great scope for developing actual efficiency and providing the necessary capabilities for the industrial leap and foreign investments that we desire. Investment in this sector is endless.

As for recommended policies, we can benefit from efforts to accelerate customs clearance procedures, coupled with certain tax adjustments, that will support the transport and logistics sector.

DHL warehouse to launch in Dubai South by 2027

STORAGE + WAREHOUSES-

DHL expands MEA footprint with innovation center + Dubai South warehouse: DHL Supply Chain is building a new EUR 120 mn Dubai South warehouse near the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport under a 38-year term agreement, according to a press release published on Thursday. The 55k sqm warehouse will be multi-user and serve a range of sectors. Construction is set for 1Q 2026, with completion slated for summer 2027, and the agreement includes additional office space.

ALSO- The group opened its expanded Middle East and Africa (MEA) Innovation Center in Dubai. The 1.7k sqm center is one of four worldwide and will serve as a hub for meetings and workshops for startups, clients, and partners working on emerging technologies and logistics solutions.

IN CONTEXT- The new developments are part of DHL’s broader regional growth efforts, with plans to invest over EUR 500 mn in the Middle East between 2024 and 2030.

AUTONOMOUS LOGISTICS-

Aramex taps Lodd for VTOL cargo aircraft: UAE end-to-end logistics provider Aramex inked an MoU with local advanced air mobility leader Lodd Autonomous to explore the inclusion of its next-generation hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo plane — named Hill — into Aramex’s regional delivery network, according to a statement released on Thursday. The pair will test the integration of Hill over two pilot phases — the first involves delivering parcels from Aramex’s Musaffah facility in Abu Dhabi to two temporary drone delivery points, while the second expands to include three additional areas using a longer-range drone platform.

About Hill: The VTOL has a payload capacity of up to 250 kg and a range of up to 700 km — engineered to withstand varied terrains and tight delivery schedules.

PORTS-

Oman’s Dhalkut port lands a new operator: Oman’s Transport Ministry signed a three-year agreement with Oman’s Abu Sultan Enterprises to develop, manage, and operate Dhalkut port in Dhofar, Times of Oman reported last week. Abu Sultan Enterprises has six months to perform maintenance, draft a financial-commercial model, and propose a long-term strategic plan for port expansion.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

QatarEnergy uptakes two more LNG carriers: State-owned QatarEnergy has acquired two LNG carriers from a JV of Japan’s NYK Line, Malaysia’s MISC Berhad, China LNG Shipping, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, according to a press release published on Thursday. The newbuilds are equipped with fuel-efficient engines that cut fuel consumption and lower GHG emissions — a boon to QatarEnergy’s shipping capacity and a boost to its LNG operations.

Filling up its orderbook: The vessels are the seventh and eighth in a 12-vessel order — built by the JV for QatarEnergy, with the vessel Sharq being the first of three in this series to be managed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha. The JV also handed over Al Zuwair last August

with a capacity of 174k cbm.

Morgan Stanley mulls data center risk hedge via loans sell-off

Morgan Stanley to hedge data center risk: The multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley is considering reducing its exposure to data centers through a significant risk transfer (SRT), Bloomberg reported last week, citing unnamed sources. The bank has begun initial discussions with investors regarding an SRT linked to a set of loans issued to AI infrastructure players.

Why does this matter? The move suggests a growing concern over a possible AI bubble amid a surge in lending to finance a forecasted USD 3 tn investment in AI infrastructure buildouts by 2028, the news outlet said. With half of the projected investments expected to be raised via credit markets, concerns are growing about banks’ increased risk exposure to the small set of companies leading the AI push.

REMEMBER- Morgan Stanley made headlines in AI: Last August, the New York City-based bank arranged financing of some USD 29 bn of debt and equity for Meta’s hyperscaler data center expansion in Louisiana. The bank has also supported three high-risk bond issuances by TeraWulf, Cipher Mining, and Applied Digital to finance data center developments, Bloomberg reported.

Calendar

DECEMBER

9-10 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Rail Industry Summit, El Jadida, Morocco.

16-17 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Saudi Airport Exhibition, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

JANUARY 2026

19-23 January (Monday-Friday): World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos, Switzerland.

FEBRUARY 2026

3-4 February (Tuesday-Wednesday): Middle East Bunkering Convention, Dubai, UAE.

4-5 February (Wednesday-Thursday): Breakbulk Middle East, Dubai, UAE.

4-5 February (Wednesday-Thursday): MRO Middle East, Dubai, UAE.

9-11 February (Monday-Wednesday): Future Warehouses & Logistics, Dubai, UAE.

10-12 February (Tuesday-Thursday): Sustainable Aviation Future MENA, Dubai, UAE.

15-17 February (Sunday-Tuesday): World Advanced Manufacturing Logistics Summit and Expo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

20-22 February (Friday-Sunday): Dubai Freight Camp, Dubai, UAE.

24-25 February (Tuesday-Wednesday): Green Shipping Summit, Athens, Greece.

25-27 February (Wednesday-Friday): Air Cargo Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.

MARCH 2026

5-6 March (Thursday-Friday): CargoIS Forum, Miami, United States.

9-13 March (Monday-Friday): WCA Worldwide Conference, Singapore.

10-12 March (Tuesday-Thursday): World Cargo Symposium, Lima, Peru.

18-19 March (Wednesday-Thursday): IntraLogisteX, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

18-19 March (Wednesday-Thursday): Green Marine Transport Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

26 March (Thursday): Gulf Ship Finance Forum, Dubai, UAE.

APRIL 2026

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Smart Logistics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

16-17 April (Thursday-Friday): Global Supply Chain and Logistics Summit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Sections

About

Privacy & Support

Get EnterpriseAM daily