Good morning, friends. It’s a brisk read this morning with news flowing in across all subsectors of the region, chief among the players is Adnoc who secured yet another supply agreement for its Ruwais LNG project. First, let’s check in on the bidding war for DB Schenker…
WATCH THIS SPACE-
#1- Adia-backed consortium sweetens bid for DB Schenker: The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority-backed consortium — which also includes CVC and Singapore’s GIC — vying for DB Schenker have reportedly sweetened the bid with the addition of a EUR 1 bn guarantee to the German government in the event of an IPO, should the government stay on as an investor, Reuters reports, citing a letter it says it has seen. The consortium requested fair assessment of its bid, the newswire added.
REMEMBER- The consortium had submitted two separate bids for Deutsche Bahn’s logistics subsidiary: one valuing it at EUR 14 bn, and another worth EUR 16 bn that would see the German government reinvest with a minority stake.
The consortium is competing against a rival bid from Danish transport firm DSV, which Reuters reported was slightly ahead in the bidding race last week.
#2- Folk Maritime debuts new liner service to India: Saudi shipping firm Folk Maritime is launching a new liner service connecting Jeddah Islamic Port to India’s Mundra and Nhava Sheva, according to a statement. Slated to start this month, the 10-day service will deploy a 1.8k TEU vessel under a vessel sharing agreement (VSA) with Oman’s Asyad Line.
Folk Maritime has been doubling down on liner services: Folk Maritime recently announced it was launching new services connecting India with the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf in 4Q 2024. French shipping giant CMA CGM partnered with Folk Maritime back in March to launch an upgraded service connecting ports in the Red Sea. The Saudi Port Authority (Mawani) has added a new shipping service by Folk Maritime connecting Jeddah Islamic Port with Port Sudan.
#3- More Israeli gas for Egypt? Egypt’s Oil Ministry is reportedly looking to increase its Israeli gas imports by the equivalent of 150 mn cf/d to reach 1.1 bn by October, Al Arabiya Business reports, citing a government official with knowledge of the matter. Egypt’s daily imports of gas from Israel reportedly rose to 950 mn cf/d at the beginning of September, up from 870 mn during the previous month, the official said.
Remember: The Israeli Energy Ministry greenlit an agreement in February to increase its gas exports to Egypt from Chevron’s offshore Tamar field three-fold starting July 2025 and carrying on for the next 11 years. Israeli exports of natural gas to Egypt were reportedly set to rise to 1.5 bn cf\d starting from 2H 2025.
#4- Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a tender for the design of three new domestic airports, Oman Observer reported on Friday. The tender seeks companies interested in supervising the master-planning and design of the proposed airports at Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Masirah Island, and Suhar. The sultanate is planning to build six new airports by 2028-2029, with design work kicking off this year, as part of a drive to attract 50 mn passengers at its airports by 2040.
#5- Tunisia’s books take a hit: The closure of the Ras Jedir crossing between Tunisia and Libya has cost some USD 60 mn in trade losses and may cross the USD 100 mn threshold in losses by year-end, Al Sharq Al Awsat reported last week, citing a report from Tunisia’s National Institute of Business Leaders. The crossing reopened in July after the two nations inked a security agreement, but commercial trade has not returned to its normal pace.
Background: Tunisia and Libya closed the crossing amid armed clashes in March. The crossing was attacked by “outlaws,” and security forces were dispatched to the site to combat smuggling and to restore security, Libya’s interior ministry said at the time. The crossing is a key hub for bilateral trade, with the value of Tunisian exports to Libya via the crossing reaching USD 160 mn in 2023 alone, Al Sharq reports, citing official data.
MARKET WATCH-
#1- Oil prices dipped in early morning trading on the back of weak demand from China offset concerns of supply chain disruption due to Tropical Storm Francine, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures dipped USD 0.04 to USD 72.80 a barrel by 03.34 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) shaved off USD 0.10 to trade at USD 68.60 a barrel.
Traders change oil price outlook: Global commodity traders — Switzerland-based Gunvor and Singapore trading giant Trafigura Group — are expecting oil prices to range between USD 60-70 a barrel on the back of weak Chinese demand and continuous oversupply, Reuters reports, citing executives during the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference. Oil’s fair value stands at USD 70 per barrel given that more oil is produced than consumed.
What does it look like for Opec+? S&P Global is expecting Opec+ to increase production for the first time in two years in 2025, Reuters reports, citing S&P VP of research Jim Burkhard during APPEC.
Oil oversupply? Opec+ has agreed to suspend its planned output hike for October and November, largely on the back of overproduction by Iraq, the leading offender in exceeding Opec+ limits, The National reports. Iraq’s Oil Ministry revealed plans to produce 6 mn bpd by 2028, while its compensation plan involves cutting some 100k bpd below the target for the rest of the year.
#2- Baltic index stays upbeat: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — was up for a third consecutive day by 0.9% to 1,958 points on Monday. The capesize index rose 1.4% to 3,404 points and the panamax index increased by 0.6% settling at 1,302 points. The smaller supramax index lost one point logging 1,259 points.
HAPPENING TODAY-
The UAE-India Business Forum is kicking off today in Mumbai with discussions covering bilateral trade, investments, and partnerships, Wam reports. The event will focus on cooperation within healthcare, biotechnology, renewable energy, sustainability, artificial intelligence, logistics and supply chains, and agricultural technology.
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 and Transmar.
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, the UAE, and the MENAclimate industry ?
***
CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
Saudi Arabia will host SkyMove MENA on Tuesday, 10 September and Wednesday, 11 September in Riyadh. The event will gather global industry stakeholders, experts, and service providers to discuss challenges in the regional cargo industry.
The UAE will host the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress from Monday, 16 September to Friday, 20 September in Dubai. The Congress is expected to welcome 20k participants to explore innovations in smart mobility and transportation technology.
Saudi Arabia will host the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress on Wednesday, 18 September and Thursday, 19 September in Dammam. The event will gather international industry leaders in the maritime sector to discuss a range of topics including interconnected logistics, supply chains, digitalization, decarbonization and workforce development.
Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.



