Chinese creditors to back Aramco’s Jafurah project with USD 3.7 bn financing

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: Chinese banks step up financial backing for Aramco’s Jafurah project

Good morning, friends. We’re kicking off the week with a packed issue, featuring debt, M&A, and freezone projects updates from across the region. PMI reports for September are also trickling in — and we take a quick dive into the latest readings from the UAE, KSA, and Egypt. Let’s dive right in.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

The Quantum Maritime Conference 2025 will kick off on Wednesday, 8 October and on Thursday 9 October, in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. The conference will discuss quantum tech in the maritime sector to reduce vessel turnaround times and improve fuel efficiency to enhance navigation.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- MGX reportedly in talks to invest in Texan data center firm: Abu Dhabi AI investor MGX is involved in discussions alongside BlackRock’s infrastructure fund Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) to further invest in Aligned Data Centers as part of an acquisition of the firm from financial group Macquarie, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. While nothing has been finalized as of yet, a formal agreement could come in the next few days. Mubadala already owns a minority stake in Aligned.

A USD 40 bn target: Aligned previously secured over USD 12 bn in equity and debt commitments from investors in January. Its current and future pipeline includes 126 data centers and campuses across the US, South America, and Canada. It is estimated to be valued at around USD 40 bn — meaning any takeover would be among the largest this year, the Financial Times reports.

MGX has been doubling down on investments so far this year, with the firm eyeing the launch of a USD 25 bn fund for AI infrastructure investments. It is also committing USD 100 bn to the first phase of the Stargate AI infrastructure fund, pledging USD 30-50 bn of initial investments in data centers in France, and backing a USD 30 bn AI infrastructure fund launched by BlackRock and GIP. It also recently invested in OpenAI as part of its latest secondary share sale.

MORE FROM UAE PLAYERS- XRG reaches FDI on Mozambique FLNG project: Adnoc’s XRG and its partners have reached a final investment decision (FDI) on the Coral North Floating LNG facility (FLNG) in Mozambique, according to a statement released on Thursday. The expansion, which is located in area 4 in the Rovuma Basin, will be developed with partners including Eni, China National Petroleum Company, Mozambique’s national oil company ENH, and Korea Gas Corporation. The project will add some 3.55 mn metric tons per annum (mtpa) of offshore LNG capacity for Mozambique.

Background: XRG acquired Adnoc’s 10% stake in the basin earlier this year, gaining access to the operational Coral South FLNG and the planned Coral North expansion, as well as Rovuma LNG onshore development, which together hold over 25 mtpa of potential LNG capacity.

#2- Where does Egypt’s USD 35 bn gas agreement with Israel stand? Israel’s Leviathan gas field partners have until the end of the month to meet conditions for the USD 35 bn agreement with Egypt, Mees reported on Friday. The agreement, signed with state-owned Blue Ocean Energy, could see 130 bn cubic metres (bcm) of gas sent to Egypt from 2026 through 2040.

The Leviathan partners — Chevron, NewMed Energy, and Ratio — must still clear several conditions for the agreement to proceed. Israel’s Energy Ministry has already approved their development plan for the Leviathan expansion, paving the way for a final investment decision later this month.

The logistics angle: The consortium has also reached terms with state network operator INGL to use the planned 600 mcf/d Nitzana pipeline linking Israel’s southern grid to Sinai. The Leviathan partners signaled their intent to proceed independently through Nitzana if other Israeli gas producers — namely Tamar and Karish operators — fail to sign transportation terms before month-end, Mees said.

The remaining obstacle lies in Israel’s domestic regulatory and political arena: A dispute among Tamar partners over gas pricing for Israel’s state utility has triggered concerns over rising electricity costs, Mees added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reportedly froze the agreement amid rising Israeli-Egyptian tensions. The coming weeks will determine whether the partners can secure government approvals and finalize the agreement.

#3- A consortium led by Saudi-based Asyad Holding bids for Baghdad airport: A consortium including Asyad Holdings, China’s Top International Engineering Corporation, Turkey’s YDA İnşaat, Bahrain’s Lamar Holding, and Ireland’s Dublin Airport Authority is among three groups vying to develop and operate Baghdad International Airport under a 25-year public-private partnership (PPP) model, the Iraqi New Agency reported Friday. The project covers infrastructure rehabilitation, a new passenger terminal, and operations and maintenance. The airport is slated for a revamp worth USD 400-600 mn put together with the help of the International Finance Corporation.

IN OTHER IRAQI UPDATES- Excelerate to develop Iraq’s first FLNG: Iraq has awarded a contract to US-based LNG firm Excelerate Energy to develop a floating liquefied natural gas import terminal, according to a statement published last week. Development plans and binding commercial agreements are still under discussion. No timeline has been disclosed for contract finalization and implementation.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR: The Iraqi Oil Ministry said in August it was reviewing two bids for its first floating storage and regasification unit at Khor Al Zubair Port in Basra, with Excelerate Energy previously linked as one of the potential bidders for the project — which comes as Iraq ramps up LNG imports infrastructure amid efforts to mitigate energy shortages and diversify energy sources as it reduces its reliance on Iranian energy imports.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices rallied this morning after Opec+ announced a less-than-expected production hike for November, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures rose by USD 0.91 to USD 65.44 / bbl as of 03.15 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased USD 0.89 to trade at USD 61.77 / bbl.

The gains, however, are expected to be short-lived due to the expected lower demand for 4Q. "With the absence of any fresh bullish catalysts and growing ambiguity on the demand outlook, oil prices are likely to stay capped despite OPEC+’s smaller-than-feared output hike," senior market analyst at Phillip Nova Priyanka Sachdeva told Reuters.

REMEMBER- Unsold Middle Eastern crude from the last trading cycle is stoking concerns that a long-anticipated global oil surplus may be starting to take shape. A better read of balances will emerge once Saudi and other Gulf suppliers issue November allocations to long-term contract buyers soon.

Opec+ decision in numbers: The cartel voted to add a total of 137k bbl / d to production again next month, according to a press release. The group approved the same additional number of barrels for October as part of the group’s gradual unwinding of its 1.65 mn bbl / d voluntary cuts. The next meeting is scheduled for 2 November.

IN CONTEXT- Only around 60% of the 2.2 mn bbl / d tranche planned for restoration between May and September has materialized, highlighting the limited spare capacity within the cartel, Bloomberg reports. The shortfall reflects both ongoing compensation for previous overproduction by some members and the possibility that others are already nearing their maximum output.

#2- Demand for LNG as a marine fuel is expected to at least double by 2030, driven by abundant new supply and tightening emissions regulations, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing industry executives. Qatar and the US are developing major LNG export projects that are expected to trigger a supply glut by 2030, driving down prices and boosting LNG's competitiveness against traditional oil-based marine fuels.

The forecasts: Rystad Energy expects global LNG bunkering volumes to surpass 4 mn tons by the end of 2025 and double by 2030, while French energy major TotalEnergies expects combined LNG and bio-LNG bunker demand to reach 15 mn tons by 2030.

Better for decarbonization? Dual-fuel vessel orders are on the rise amid upcoming regulations in Europe and the International Maritime Organization. LNG is seen as the most practical option for reducing emissions in the shipping sector until zero-carbon fuels become widely available, Reuters added, citing Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines.

#3- Baltic index on a downward spiral: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — fell 8 points to 1,901 on Friday, buoyed by low demand across vessel segments. The capesize inched up 4 points to 2,724, while the panamax index eased 23 points to 1,662. The smaller supramax index shed 9 points to 1,447.

#4- The Drewry World Container Index fell by 5% to USD 1,669 per 40-ft container on Thursday, according to the latest index readings. The drop comes on the back of market turbulence driven by the ongoing flurry of US tariffs since April. The container forecaster projects the supply-demand balance to fall in 2H 2025, causing spot rates to fall further.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UK will host the Marine Environment Protection Committee Extraordinary Session from Tuesday, 14 October until Friday, 17 October at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) HQ in London. The session is set to see the intergovernmental body formally adopt its Net-Zero Framework — rolling out new fuel standards for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

Belgium will host the AntwerpXL on Tuesday, 14 October until Thursday, 16 October in Antwerp. The expo will host 3.8k project cargo, break bulk, RoRo, heavy lift, and industry experts to expand collaborations. It will co-locate with the Transport and Logistics conference and exhibition.

Iraq will host the Iraq International Transportation & Airports & Logistics Expo & Conference on Wednesday, 15 October until Friday, 17 October in Baghdad. The expo — Iraq’s first platform focused exclusively on transport and logistics services — is expected to feature over 100 exhibitors including ports, aviation, road, and rail players as well as logistics tech firms.

Morocco will host the International Forum and Expo on Mobility, Transport, and Logistics (Logiterre) on Thursday, 16 October until Saturday, 18 October in Casablanca. Logiterre will host main operators within the industry from West and Central Africa.

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.

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

China to lend USD 3.7 bn for Aramco’s massive Jafurah project

Chinese lenders step up support for Aramco’s Jafurah project: Four Chinese state-owned banks are providing over a third of the financing for Saudi Aramco’s Jafurah gas project, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources it says are in the know. The debt package includes some USD 1 bn each from the Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, with around USD 750 mn from the Agricultural Bank of China.

China funds steering clear? Chinese funds reportedly declined an equity stake in the project, following a directive from Beijing to avoid US-linked firms amid ongoing trade tensions, the newswire said. This contrasts with the Chinese players’ participation in the BlackRock-led investment in an Aramco pipeline venture back in 2022.

REFRESHER- A consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) acquired a 49% stake in Aramco's Jafurah gas infrastructure through a USD 11 bn lease-and-leaseback agreement in August, forming the Jafurah Midstream Gas Company joint venture with Saudi Aramco (51%). The consortium raised a financing package of nearly USD 10 bn last month to fund the investment.

On Jafurah field: The USD 100 bn Jafurah project contains some 200 tn standard cubic feet of gas across a 17k cbm basin, possibly being the world’s largest shale gas project outside the US, Reuters reported earlier this year. The project is slated to generate over 420 mcf/d of ethane and around 630k barrels of natural gas liquids and condensates per day, according to Aramco’s website.

The project is important to KSA’s midstream ambitions: Aramco’s operations in Jafurah involve a pipeline network spanning 1.5k km of main transfer pipelines, flow lines, and gas-gathering pipelines; a gas processing plant; an NGL fractionation plant; and a gas-compression system, according to Aramco’s website. The Jafurah project will serve the nation’s domestic power plants as well as its export goals, Bloomberg reported earlier this year.

Deliveroo’s units in Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE merge into DoorDash after acquisition

Deliveroo’s regional units fold into DoorDash: The local Qatari, Emirati, and Kuwaiti arms of the British delivery giant Deliveroo are now officially part of DoorDash after the Nasdaq-listed e-commerce company closed its buyout of Deliveroo. The Deliveroo tie-up comes as consolidation accelerates in the sector, with DoorDash also said to be eyeing Mubadala’s stake in Turkish delivery company Getir.

New management: While the company will continue to operate under the Deliveroo brand, Miki Kuusi, co-founder of food and retail delivery company Wolt, will take over as CEO alongside his role as DoorDash’s head of international, relocating to London in the coming months.

About Deliveroo’s operations: Deliveroo works with some 178k restaurants, grocers, and retailers and 130k riders across nine markets, serving about 7 mn active customers.

Background: DoorDash first announced the USD 3.9 bn takeover in April, in a transaction that has since been awaiting regulatory and shareholder approvals. The move expands DoorDash’s footprint to more than 40 countries, with the combined group handling about USD 90 bn in gross order value last year and serving 50 mn monthly active users.

NextSource to build battery anode plant in Abu Dhabi’s Industrial City freezone

A new battery anode facility: Canadian battery materials developer NextSource is moving forward with plans to establish a 30k tons per annum (tpa) battery anode facility in the UAE after completing a technical and economic study and securing an industrial site in Abu Dhabi’s Industrial City (ICAD) freezone, according to a press release published last week. The company has also launched a process to bring in strategic partners to help finance the project, which is central to its target of becoming vertically integrated by 2027.

Production and economics: The facility will be built in two phases; phase 1 targets 14k tpa capacity of anode active material (AAM), while the full build-out will bring output to 30k tpa. Initial production is scheduled for 4Q 2026, with full output expected by early 2028. The project carries a total capex of USD 291 mn, including USD 13 mn in sunk costs, with phase 1 estimated at USD 150 mn. Forecasts put annual revenue at USD 195 mn.

The firm selected the site due to its proximity to ports, industrial hubs, and transport corridors that make it easy to serve both local and global EV supply chains, as well as its expedited permit process.

Backed by Mitsubishi offtake: The project supports NextSource’s multi-year supply agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, inked in August, for 9k tpa of AAM destined for the North American EV market. The Abu Dhabi facility is designed to cover Mitsubishi’s requirements and support further original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offtakes.

Decoupled from China: The plant will produce natural graphite AAM for EV lithium-ion batteries, offering a fully traceable supply chain that bypasses China. Since graphite accounts for 95% of an anode’s weight — and 35% of a battery’s total — the facility aims to provide a compliant alternative source for US and allied markets. NextSource and Stantec — its engineering partner — developed a UAE-compliant design using established processing tech to reduce qualification times for OEMs.

UK court backs DP World’s USD 685 mn payout from Djibouti

London court favors DP World in Djibouti dispute: The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has ruled that the government of Djibouti acted illegally in its seizure of the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) from DP World in 2018, Khaleej Times reports. The decision affirms DP World’s USD 685 mn enforceable awards against the country — which the government has so far refused to honor. It also clarifies that harm was directly caused by the government — declining to award damages against its state-owned corporate port operator, the Port de Djibouti SA (PDSA).

Refresher: DP World has been embroiled in squabbling with Djibouti for seven years over the Djibouti government’s termination of its concession after claiming it unfairly favored DP World. The firm owns a 33.3% stake in DCT and had begun operating it in 2006 until the termination.

The ruling has closed DP World’s arbitration proceedings with Djibouti’s PDSA, but wider disputes with Djibouti’s government and their partner China Merchants Port Holding — amounting to a USD 1 bn claim against the parties — remain active.

Not the first ruling: The decision upholds a third partial award from the LCIA, which awarded the firm USD 200 mn for damages incurred between 23 February 2018 to 31 December 2020. A US court also backed this decision last year, awarding DP World USD 200 mn from the government of Djibouti.

How KSA, UAE, and Egypt’s non-oil private sector fared in September

Breaking down non-oil private sector performance in KSA, UAE, and Egypt: Purchasing Manager Indices (PMIs) tracking non-energy sectors highlighted varying results in the three countries in September, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE posting further expansions, while Egypt extended its contraction.

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

SAUDI ARABIA-

Non-oil business activity in Saudi Arabia accelerated to a six-month high in September, powered by elevated output and demand, according to the Riyadh Bank Saudi Arabia PMI (pdf). The seasonally adjusted figure rose to 57.8 in September, up from 56.4 in August. This reading, which is well above the 50.0 mark, signals a robust expansion, yet it remains well below January’s peak of 60.5.

New orders accelerated at a faster pace in September, as robust market conditions, new clients, elevated marketing, and supportive pricing boosted domestic sales and helped lift new work from international customers. New order sub-index surged to 63.3 in September, from 60.1 a month earlier, according to Reuters. Firms attributed the uptick to “successful advertising campaigns and stronger demand from the GCC region,” Riyad Bank Chief Economist Naif Al Ghaith wrote in the report.

The output sub-index edged up at the fastest rate since February, recording its largest one-month gain in four years — 27% of the survey participants reported an expansion, while only 1% posted a decrease. “Overall, September’s survey highlights a resilient private sector that is navigating cost pressures while benefiting from firm demand and steady hiring,” Al Ghaith wrote.

Purchasing activity picked up to a three-month high, resulting in the biggest expansion in inventory levels since May, according to the report. Firms actively built stocks to ensure smooth distribution and prepare for upcoming projects, the report read.

Employment maintained robust momentum as firms significantly raised their hiring to handle elevated workloads and enhance sales teams. Although hiring growth saw a slight monthly dip, it remained historically sharp, helping to contain work backlogs.

Persistent cost pressures pushed selling prices up: Input cost inflation remained elevated in September, driven by increasing wages and broader inflation. Selling prices also went up, but at a moderate rate, hitting a four-month low, as some firms eased their prices to sustain their competitiveness.

Business sentiment improved for the second month in a row, as firms pointed to increased demand and ongoing projects as key drivers of their positive outlook.

UAE-

The UAE's non-oil private sector posted its highest expansion in seven months, marking a solid improvement in activity, boosted by new business intakes. The country’s seasonally adjusted S&P Global PMI (pdf) rose to 54.2 in September, up from 53.3 a month earlier. September’s reading also lands just below the survey long-run average, suggesting a good recovery from July’s 49-month plunge.

New orders accelerated at their highest level since February, as demand recorded a strong rebound from August’s four-year low, lifted by better demand conditions, elevated client engagement, and new projects. The sub-index for new orders surged to 57.2 in September, up from 53.1 a month earlier, according to Reuters.

More than 30% of surveyed firms recorded a surge in new orders, which triggered “a sharp improvement in sales growth from [the sub-index’s] four-year low in August,” S&P Global Senior Economist David Owen wrote in the report.

Output maintained a robust momentum, backed by elevated order intakes. Businesses attributed the strong activity to “strong demand, ongoing projects, marketing activities, and supportive government policy,” according to the report.

Businesses raised their purchasing activity in September, after cutting it for the first time in over four years in August. Still, this was muted by firm concerns about competition and price pressures. “Competitive pressures were again noted as a key issue, with several panelists linking this to caution around purchasing and pricing decisions,” Owed said.

Input costs rose significantly for September, mirroring a broader trend throughout the third quarter. This increase was driven by higher purchase prices, although the impact was somewhat mitigated by an easing of salary inflation.

In turn, output inflation rose at softer rates as businesses were reluctant to increase their selling prices amid competition concerns.

Employment inched up at the fastest pace since May, albeit modestly, helping backlog growth to be less sharp during September. “Companies continued to accumulate work-in-hand at a solid pace, but the uplift was the second-weakest in 20 months,” the report read.

Business sentiment remains positive: Non-oil firms' outlook for the year ahead remained strong in September, but their optimism was marginally lower than August's 10-month high. “Around 15% of respondents held a positive view about future output, while less than 1% were downbeat about their prospects.

The bigger picture: Looking ahead, non-oil sector activity across much of the Gulf is forecast to moderate, Capital Economics’ James Swanston noted in a research note seen by EnterpriseAM last month. “Low oil prices will more than offset rising output volumes and, in turn, export receipts will be weaker this year than last,” Swanston wrote, adding that “current account and budget balances will deteriorate, prompting officials to make fiscal policy less supportive.”

MEANWHILE IN EGYPT-

Egypt’s non-oil private sector activity slipped further in September, as new orders dipped at the quickest pace in five months, according to S&P Global’s latest Purchasing Managers Index report (pdf). The country’s headline figure fell 0.4 percentage points in September to 48.8, decelerating from August’s 49.2 to a three-month low.

The country has been below the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction for seven straight months, and has only pushed up into the green two times since November 2020. Despite the dip, the reading is still above the survey’s historical average of 48.2 since it began in 2011.

New orders experienced the fastest drop since April, stemming from a dip in sales because of “subdued economic conditions, rising prices, and greater wage pressures,” according to businesses surveyed. In line with falling demand, output decline accelerated for the seventh consecutive month in September, but it was moderate and softer than the series' long-run trend. Businesses also raised their selling prices for the fifth straight month to pass higher costs through to clients.

Businesses scaled back their purchasing for the seventh straight month, albeit at a moderate pace. Meanwhile, stocks of purchased items inched up for the first time since May, as some firms chose to hold more inputs in reserve.

But on the bright side, cost pressures eased to their lowest level since March, which businesses partially attributed to the EGP’s relative stability against the USD. “Although companies are struggling to gain new work amid challenging market conditions as a whole, they can take some comfort from a softening of input cost pressures, driven by the pound's strengthening against the US dollar over recent months,” S&P Global Senior Economist David Owen wrote. Firms also reported some upward pressure on wages, with total staff costs edging up to their highest level since May 2024.

Employment remained broadly unchanged during September after inching up across the two previous months, marking a stalling of hiring growth as firms became “more cautious regarding capacity expansion,” the report read.

Business sentiment continued to reach new historic lows, with overall expectations for the year ahead dipping to one of its lowest levels in the survey’s history, despite the softening input inflation.

Ports and rail updates from UAE, Oman, and Jordan

PORTS-

AD Ports taps China’s Yantai to streamline vehicle trade: UAE-based port operator AD Ports Group has partnered with China’s state-owned port operator SPG Yantai Port to develop green automotive business parks, according to a statement. Under the agreement, the two will explore developing an integrated bilateral terminal and auto hub network — linking AD Ports Group’s automotive terminals and hubs within the UAE with Yantai’s Asia-Pacific Green Automotive Circular Economy Industrial Park.

The rationale: The partnership aims to increase vehicle trade between Asia and the Middle East, focusing on sustainable solutions to streamline operational efficiency and delivery. The move seeks to establish an efficient supply chain for both new and second-hand vehicles between the two countries.

RAIL-

#1- Hafeet Rail to link Al Ain Airport with Oman: Abu Dhabi Airports signed an agreement with Hafeet Rail, the joint venture overseeing the UAE-Oman rail project, to establish a corridor connecting Al Ain International Airport with Sohar in Oman for both passenger and cargo traffic, according to a press release. The new end-to-end service will feature rail haulage, port operations, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery. The launch date was not disclosed.

I.CYMI: The UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail connection is a USD 2.5 bn project announced back in 2022 and backed by Mubadala, Etihad Rail, and Oman’s Asyad Group. The project has already secured contractors for the establishment of new rail logistics facilities and the supply of high-performance freight wagons earlier this year, as well as freight uptake agreements for the transportation of raw materials.

#2- Etihad Rail, Turkmenistan ink MoU to boost railway cooperation: Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Turkmenistan's Railway Transport Ministry to boost cooperation in railway transport, Wam reports. The MoU, inked on the sidelines of the Global Rail event, will see both sides collaborate on testing new technologies for the rail sector, as well as conducting feasibility studies.

#3- Masdar + Etihad Rail partner on decarbonized transport solutions: Renewables giant Masdar and the UAE’s national railway operator Etihad Rail inked an MoU to develop transport and logistics solutions for the green hydrogen value chain across the UAE, state news agency Wam reports. Under the agreement, the two entities will look into transport feedstocks, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel using Etihad Rail’s network.

#4- Etihad Rail’s project in Jordan could expand its scope: Etihad Rail is considering expanding its rail project in Jordan to include connecting the country’s dry ports with Aqaba industrial port, Zawya reported last week, citing comments by Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Hussein Al Safadi. The USD 2.3 bn project — announced in September 2024 — was primarily conceived to transport a total of 16 mn tons of phosphate and potash products per year from Al-Shidiya and Ghor es-Safi mining regions to Aqaba port.

The project will also depend on private funding sources, similar to the company’s Oman-UAE venture, Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak reportedly said. Construction tenders for the railway are set to be issued by early 2026, with operations scheduled to begin by 2030.

Airbus’ September deliveries soar above expectations, as engine delays ease

Airbus September deliveries surpass expectations: France-based airplane maker Airbus delivered 73 jets in September amid improvements in engine delivery rates, Reuters reported last week, citing unnamed sources. The number exceeds the expected 69-70 jets predicted by some analysts, coming in higher than the 50 jets recorded in September 2024. This brought Airbus’ 9M 2025 deliveries above 2024’s year-to-date tally, the newswire reported.

Sticking the landing? To meet its 2025 goal of 820 aircraft deliveries, Airbus needs to deliver 313 jets in 4Q 2025 — a feat that would mark a 16% y-o-y increase compared to the same period last year. Its highest 4Q peak on record was in 2018 with 297 deliveries.

Latest Airbus orders from the region: PIF-owned aircraft lessor AviLease placed an order with Airbus to acquire 40 jets — with the option to expand the order to 77 jets — during the 2025 Paris Air Show. Riyadh Air also ordered 25 Airbus A350-1000 carriers — with a possibility of increasing the order to 50 A350-1000.

Calendar

OCTOBER

6-8 October (Monday-Wednesday): Maritime Cyprus Conference, Limassol, Cyprus.

7-8 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Global EV and Mobility Technology (Gemtech) Forum, Riyadh.

8-9 October (Wednesday-Thursday): Quantum Maritime Conference 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

7-9 October (Wednesday-Thursday): World Aviation Festival, Lisbon, Portugal.

13-17 October (Monday-Friday): The Marine Environment Protection Committee’s second extraordinary session, London, UK.

14-15 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Investing in Africa Conference and Expo, London, UK.

14-16 October (Tuesday-Thursday): AntwerpXL, Antwerp, Belgium.

15 October (Wednesday): Global Trade Review, Cairo, Egypt.

15-17 October (Wednesday-Friday): Iraq Transport, Logistics & Airports Exhibition & Conference, Baghdad, Iraq

16-18 October (Thursday-Saturday): International Forum and Expo on Mobility, Transport and Logistics (Logiterre), Casablanca, Morocco.

28-30 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Borneo International Maritime Week, Sarawak, Malaysia.

NOVEMBER

3-6 November (Monday-Thursday): Adipec Maritime and Logistics Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

4-6 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Air Cargo Forum, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

9-11 November (Sunday-Tuesday): TransMea Expo, Cairo, Egypt.

11-13 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Freightcamp, Bangkok, Thailand.

17-21 November (Monday-Friday): Dubai Airshow, Dubai, UAE.

18 November (Tuesday): ShipTek International Conference and Awards, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

24-26 November (Monday-Wednesday): World Advanced Manufacturing Logistics Summit and Expo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DECEMBER

6 December (Saturday): International Procurement Supply Chain Conference, Cairo, Egypt.

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.

27-28 January (Tuesday-Wednesday): SkyMove Air Cargo MENA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

27-28 January (Tuesday-Wednesday): Middle East ProcureTech Summit, Dubai, UAE.

FEBRUARY 2026

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

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

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

MARCH 2026

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

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