Good morning, nice people. We’re ending the month with an issue full of investments and trade updates from across the region and the globe. But first, a quick look at the impact of US tariffs on India after they came into effect yesterday…
THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY- The US’ 50% tariffs on India entered into effect yesterday, in a move that aims to punish India for its Russian crude imports. India slammed the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging a newwave of self-reliance, “not out of desperation, but out of pride.”
The impact would be big: India exported some USD 87 bn of goods to the US last year — with nearly 55% of these exports likely to be impacted by the new tariffs. “It's a tricky situation. Some product lines will simply become unviable overnight,” Federation of Indian Export Organizations Director General Ajay Sahai said. The tariffs could “potentially lock India out of key markets even after [they] are rolled back,” New Delhi-based Global Trade Research Initiative founder Ajay Srivastava said.
Any silver linings? Select key industries will be exempt — including electronics and pharma exports. India’s electronics sector saw 38% of its total exports go to the US last year, standing out as the sector “most exposed” to tariffs, lead economist at Oxford Economics Alexandra Hermann told CNBC earlier this month. Similarly, India’s pharma sector exported around USD 10.5 bn — about 35% of its total exports — to the US in FY 2024-2025.
Pivoting to the East? India and Russia had agreed last week to bolster their annual trade by 50% to USD 100 bn over the next five years. Modi is also expected to land in China this week in his first visit since 2018 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where he is set to also meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
REMEMBER- Russian crude oil imports make up 40% of India's total load — given its lower price compared to competing grades from African and Middle Eastern suppliers. Indian refiners are reportedly saving some USD 3.5 bn annually by uptaking lower-priced Russian oil.
The story picked up a lot of ink in int’l outlets: Reuters | Bloomberg | The New York Times | The Financial Times | NPR | CNN | NBC News | Politico | The Hindu | The Guardian | BBC
WATCH THIS SPACE-
#1- Corrosion-resistant steel exports from the UAE to the US will be hit with an anti-dumping duty of 7.2% to 16.4%, according to a statement. The decision — which comes after a year-long anti-dumping probe — is expected to impact some USD 2.9 bn in imports from the UAE, Turkey, Taiwan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Vietnam.
The steel industry is a red line for the US: A 50% tariff on all steel imports into the US entered into effect lastJune, after the US administration cited Section 232, allowing it to impose tariffs on a national security basis pending investigations. Despite the signing of several trade agreements lowering tariffs with several trading partners, steel was often singled out from these reduced rates. Only the UK secured a lower rate of 25% for its steel exports — still much higher than the 10% granted to other UK products.
ALSO FROM UAE- The country’s trade and economic partnership agreement with New Zealand has entered into force, with annual bilateral trade projected to reach over USD 5 bn by 2032, according to a press release. Signed in January, the trade and economic partnership agreement will eliminate tariffs on UAE imports and minimize tariffs on imports from New Zealand, expedite customs procedures, and strengthen private-sector collaboration between the two. New Zealand will provide 100% dutyfree access to UAE imports, while the UAE will grant 98.5% access.
REMEMBER- The UAE has signed 28 trade and economic partnership agreements since 2021, with partners including India, Turkey, Australia, and South Korea.
#2- Beijing is seeking Riyadh’s support to revive trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council, where progress has stalled amid concerns that cheap Chinese imports could disrupt Saudi’s strategy to build up domestic industry, Reuters reports.
The setting: The news comes after Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing, where they both discussed scaling bilateral trade, capital markets cooperation, and joint ventures in new energy and industrial supply chains. Talks also touched on aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Vision 2030.
What’s in it for China? Tightening commercial ties with Gulf partners is now increasingly strategic for the world’s second-biggest economy as it faces trade frictions on two fronts with the US and European Union, both of which have raised tariffs on Chinese exports over cost and oversupply fears.
#3- Syrian crude to set sail: Dutch energy and commodity trading major Vitol Group is set to load Syria’s first shipment of crude oil since Western sanctions were lifted on the country, Bloomberg reports, citing sources in the know. The shipment is set to be transported to a refinery in Italy, the sources added. Both Vitol and Syria’s Energy Ministry declined to comment on the matter.
More to come? The cargo does not seem to signal the start of a steady supply stream, two sources told the news outlet. Still, Syria is looking to sell more of its crude after Syria’s Energy Ministry issued a tender to sell nearly 500k barrels of medium-density crude oil last month, according to a statement.
MEANWHILE- South Sudan crude flows were disrupted, as the UAE’s decision to bar vessels originating from Sudanese ports from docking in its ports took effect. A crude-laden, named the Pola, was recently unable to call in Fujairah, according to data compiled by Bloomberg and shipping agreements. The Pola — which carries 80k tons of Dar Blend crude — could be forced to dock in the straits of Singapore instead.
Fujairah is usually a steady destination for Dar Blend: Dar Blend cargos — which originate from landlocked South Sudan and are shipped through Sudanese ports — have been shipped to three destinations over the past two months, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Fujairah, the news outlet reports, citing Vortexa data. Fujairah usually clinches one to two shipments each month.
Background: The update comes after a diplomatic rift between Sudan and the UAE reportedly led AD Ports to issue a decision stopping its ports from handling cargo destined for, or coming from, Port Sudan came earlier this month, according to documents seen by the news outlet and a CMA CGM statement.
MARKET WATCH-
#1- Oil prices took a dip this morning amid expectations of lower demand due to US tariffs on India, as well as summer approaching its end, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures fell by USD 0.63 to reach USD 67.43 / bbl by 05.02 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) went down by USD 0.62 to trade at USD 63.55. / bbl.
Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs expects Brent crude futures to slide into the low USD 50s / bbl by late 2026, citing a widening oil surplus that could average 1.8 mn bbl / d between 4Q 2025 and 4Q 2026, Reuters reports, citing a client note. The surplus could lead to an estimated 800 mn bbl rise in global stocks by the end of next year.
Chinese demand could drive growth: A potential increase in Chinese stock growth to 800k bbl / d — up from 400k bbl / d so far this year — would lift its 2026 Brent forecast by USD 6 / bbl to USD 62 / bbl.
REMEMBER- Goldman lowered Brent crude forecasts by USD 2 to USD 3 a barrel to average USD 60 / bbl for this year and USD 56 / bbl in 2026. This expectation came before the decision to fully unwind Opec+’s voluntary cuts by September.
#2- Baltic index on an upwards trajectory: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — was up 0.3% to 2,046 points on Wednesday. The capesize segment fell 1.4% to 2,989 points, while the panamax index increased between 0.3% to 7% to 2,046 points, its highest since 8 August. The smaller supramax index went up by 0.7% to 1,447 points.
PSA-
Hapag-Lloyd postpones LWS: Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd is postponing its USD 1k-per-TEU low water surcharge (LWS) on cargo to and from Brazil’s Manaus Port on the back of Amazon River water levels receding slower than expected, according to statement. The LWS will take effect on 15 September for cargo transported to and from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Get Enterprise daily
The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.
***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-
Bahrain will host the Syria Recovery and Investment Forum on Sunday, 1 September and Monday, 2 September in Manama. The forum will host global industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss Syria's most urgent rebuilding needs — and attract investments — across key sectors including education, energy, housing, smart cities, ports, and metro systems.
Oman will host Transport Middle East on Monday, 1 September until Wednesday, 3 September in Salalah. The conference will host 35 international speakers and over 50 exhibitors from the maritime sector to discuss global transportation and logistics.
Saudi Arabia will host the Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference on Wednesday, 3 and Thursday, 4 September in Jeddah. The event is set to gather over 60 speakers and more than 3k participants to discuss maritime decarbonization, digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, capacity building, and sustainable practices.
Algeria will host the Intra-African Trade Fair on Thursday, 4 September until Wednesday, 10 September in Algiers. The fair will host over 75 countries and 2k exhibitors across several sectors to explore investment prospects and exchange information on trade between B2B and B2G.
Oman will host the Comex Global Technology Show on Sunday, 7 September and run till Wednesday, 10 September in Muscat. The event will host over 360 participants and 133 tech startups to show achievements in eGovernment, fintech, smart cities, health tech, agritech, and cybersecurity.
Saudi Arabia will host the Smart Ports and Logistics Transformation Summit on Monday, 15 September and Tuesday, 16 September 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.
Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.




