DP World is on a roll

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: Tropical cyclone hits Oman, shuttering Salalah port + could Israel face a regional oil embargo?

Good morning, friends. We have a packed issue for you this morning, with tons of news from DP World and a lot of movement on ports and zones across the region.

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY- DP World inked a 30-year concession agreement with Tanzania Ports Authority to operate and modernize Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, with plans to link the hinterland of sub-Saharan Africa through a network of roads, highways, railways, and dedicated freight corridors and ports. Over in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) inked an agreement with PIF-backed JV Saudi Global Ports (SGP) to build a SAR 1 bn logistics park in Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port.

^^ We have everything on this story and more in the news well, below.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

PSA- Salalah port closed ahead of tropical cyclone: Oman has temporarily suspended operations at Salalah port ahead of tropical cyclone Tej, which is expected to intensify to a category 4 cyclone, Khaleej Times reports. Heavy rainfall, rough seas, and a storm surge are expected to accompany the cyclone.

The Supply Chain and Logistics Conference 2023 kicked off yesterday and runs until tomorrow at the Four Seasons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference brings together industry experts to discuss developing KSA’s transport system and logistics strategy.

Public and private sector firms inked 52 agreements in the first day of the conference to boost the kingdom’s logistics sector, the Saudi Transport Ministry said in a statement.

DISRUPTION WATCH-

Could Israel’s war with Hamas lead to a region-wide oil embargo? Iran has called on Muslim countries to impose an oil embargo on Israel, which relies on imports for most of its oil, Bloomberg reported. Israel has imported 220k barrels of crude per day (bpd) since mid-May, with some 60% of those volumes sourced from Muslim-majority Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Bloomberg wrote, citing Kpler data. However, even if there were to be a full-fledged embargo by Muslim suppliers, Israel could easily switch those out for seaborne transfers from its biggest ally, the US, alongside Brazil and West African producers.

Ports are a bigger problem: Some180k barrels a day — the lion’s share of the country’s imports — come through the port of Ashkelon, which has been closed since the start of the conflict due to its proximity to Gaza, Bloomberg said. Haifa, which is also on the Mediterranean coast, averages about 40k bbl / d, while no crude oil has been imported via Israel’s Red Sea terminal at Eilat since 2020, Bloomberg wrote, citing Kpler data.

But there are workarounds for that too: As the conflict wreaks havoc on operations at Israel’s main oil importing terminals on the Mediterranean, plans see the country reviving a decades-long alternative route, Bloomberg wrote separately. The 254-kilometer two-way Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline links an oil import terminal at the Red Sea port of Eilat with refineries in Ashkelon, from where it can be distributed to secondary refineries at Ashdod and Haifa. Despite the oil terminal at Eilat falling into disuse in recent years as Israel processed most of its imports via Mediterranean ports, that is likely to change if the conflict were to drag on. This week saw a tanker loaded with over 1 mn barrels of Azeri oil circumvent terminals on the Mediterranean and sail up the Gulf of Aqaba to offload at Eilat, with more such voyages expected, Bloomberg added.

^^ We have more on the impact of the war on shipping navigation in the region in the news well, below.

DISRUPTIONS ARE NOT JUST REGIONAL-

European airports are facing disruptions due to security alerts: Airports in France and Belgium were evacuated last week following threats of attack, with tourist sites also affected, Bloomberg wrote. France’s Lille, Lyon-Bron, Nice, Nantes, Biarritz, Toulouse, and Paris Beauvais airports were evacuated, Bloomberg said, citing French police. Ostend-Bruges Airport in Belgium was also cleared after an alert, Bloomberg wrote citing a report in Le Soir newspaper. Sweeps at the airports revealed that the threats were false, but air traffic was affected nonetheless. Security threats at European airports have become more common following the outbreak of the ongoing war in Gaza, and French and Belgian authorities are on high alert after a spate of stabbing attacks, Bloomberg wrote.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

SCZone is in China: A delegation from Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), led by Chairman Walid Gamal El-Din, is on tour in China in the provinces of Suzhou and Hefei, after visiting Hangzhou to drum up investments from Chinese companies into Egypt’s textile and garment industry and establish projects in the West Qantara Industrial Zone.

TheParcel_Post Expo 2023is set to take place on 24-26 October in RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands. The event brings together industry experts to network, showcase technologies, with a live conference featuring expert industry analysis and opinion.

TheG7 Trade Ministers meeting will take place at the Osaka International Convention Center in Sakai, Osaka, Japan between 28 and 29 October. The event will bring together trade ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Germany and the European Union to discuss the changing environment surrounding trade, and growth of the global economy.

TheDubai Precious Metals Conference 2023 is taking place on 20-21 November 2023 at the ballroom at the SO/ Uptown Dubai in the UAE. The event will bring together industry experts, innovators, and leaders to discuss emerging trends, technologies, and strategies driving the metals industry.

Etihad Cargo will host the third iteration of ACE in Abu Dhabi between 4 and 6 December. The conference brings together air cargo industry executives with expert speaker debates, workshops, and networking via a one-to-one meeting scheduler and in-person meetings. The event will focus on the air cargo sector in the Middle East.

TheEurasian Economic Union (EAEU) exhibition is taking place from 4 to 7 December at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds in Tehran, Iran. The exhibition will be attended by EAEU members, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, and will bring together domestic and foreign companies in the industrial, mineral, and agricultural fields to showcase their latest products at the event. Seminars and conferences on transport, trade, and tourism will take place on the sidelines of the event.

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

DP World + Tanzania Ports Authority sign agreement to operate Dar es Salaam Port

DP World to operate + modernize Dar es Salaam Port:DP World has inked a 30-year concession agreement with Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to operate and modernize Dar es Salaam Port, kicking off the first of a “multi-phase” plan, according to a press release. The port is set to link the hinterland of sub-Saharan Africa through a network of roads, highways, railways, and dedicated freight corridors and ports to serve increased demand for logistics solutions.

The details: DP World is set to invest some USD 250 mn to upgrade the port, with the investment reaching a potential USD 1 bn during the concession period in conjunction with hinterland logistics initiatives. The company is also looking to partner with the TPA and port stakeholders to offer faster cargo clearing and better cargo planning to enhance the port’s role as a gateway for green energy metals from the copper belt in Southern-Central Africa.

What does “modernizing” the port entail? The company could invest in implementing temperature-controlled storage at the port, as well as implementing connections to rail-linked logistics. DP World is also considering developing a special economic zone to boost Tanzania’s role in global trade, the statement added.

What they said: “The development will deliver trade opportunities for the region, connecting East Africa and broader sub-Saharan Africa with global markets, driving economic growth, job creation, enhanced access to products and service, and creating value for all our stakeholders,” Tanzanian Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa was quoted as saying in the statement.

Background: DP World has been eyeing East African expansion, with the company previously holding discussions with Tanzania to manage seven berths at Dar es Salaam Port. The talks also touched on the company’s plans to build cold storage facilities and invest in advanced technology. The Tanzanian government wants DP World to drive a threefold rise in revenues from the facility to USD 11.2 tn over the coming decade.

Mawani + SGP to build SAR 1 bn logistics park in King Abdulaziz Port

Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has inked an agreement with PIF-backed JV SaudiGlobal Ports (SGP) to build a SAR 1 bn logistics park in Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port, according to a press release. The park, which will be built over an area spanning over 1 mn squared meters, will see local and international private sector investments, Saudi Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser said in the release. The exact timeline for the development and operations of the park were not disclosed.

The park’s features: The logistics park will include warehouses and yards equipped to store and handle dry and refrigerated goods, according to the press release. The park will also feature a bonded and re-export area for sorting, distribution operations, and other value-added services, it adds. There are also plans for the warehouse to include modern cold store capabilities, as well as hybrid and electric equipment and solar panels, SGP added in a separate statement.

KSA is on a drive to strengthen its logistics sector: The park comes as part of plans to boost the number of logistics parks within Saudi ports to 12, and to elevate the kingdom’s position in the global logistics services performance index from its current 38th spot to 10, according to the statement.

About SGP: SGP is a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Singapore’s PSA International Company, Saudi conglomerate Al B lagha Group, according to its website. SGP currently operates two container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port.

DP World lines up new freezone + terminal expansion at Cochin

DP World inks two MOUs to boost capacity + capabilities at Cochin Port: Dubai-based port operator DP World, which operates the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam in Cochin, India, has inked two MoUs with Cochin Port Authority laying the groundwork for the next phase of capability and capacity expansion at the port, the New Indian Express reported.

The details: The first agreement will see DP World kick off the first phase of establishing a warehousing freezone, dubbed Cochin Integrated Business Park, at Cochin Port. The second MoU will authorize DP World to roll out improvements to ICTT, boosting capacity and operational efficiency at the terminal, the outlet said.

The first warehousing freezone in Kerala: Cochin Integrated Business Park, which will be operated by DP World, is slated to be the first warehousing freezone in the Indian state of Kerala and the first nationwide to be located alongside a container terminal, the report explained. Synergies between the freezone and the terminal are expected to boost international and domestic trade and open access to new markets. The facility is expected to be operational in 1Q 2024, India’s Economic Times reports.

DP World has been doubling down on its operations in India: The port operator most recently inked an MOU with India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to develop Vadhvan Port, north of Mumbai. This was preceded by news of planned investments in logistics and warehousing in the south Indian state of Telangana and a concession agreement for a new container terminal at Kandla.

IDG + SSSC to establish, operate, manage Beni Suef dry port in Egypt

IDG + SSSC ink MoU to develop and operate Beni Suef dry port :Egypt-based Samcrete Holding’s industrial arm Industrial Development Group (IDG) has “initiated the process” to ink an MoU with Star Shine Shipping & Logistics (SSSC) to develop and operate the new dry port in Kom Abu Radi in Beni Suef in Egypt, according to a press release (pdf ). Star Shine will be the operating partner in the consortium, the press release adds. Representatives of IDG could not confirm the value of investments planned for the port.

The details: The initial phase of the dry port spans over an area of 33 fedans, according to the statement. The port project could require some USD 500 mn in investments for the expansion of the port, Al Borsa reports, citing sources in the know. The new port will be situated near a logistics area, storage hangars, administrative areas, and a technical training school, sources reportedly told Al Borsa.

What’s next: The company is currently carrying out a feasibility study for the project, Managing Director of IDG Shady William told Enterprise Logistics.

A port + an industrial complex: IDG has also submitted an expression of interest to Beni Suef governorate to develop, manage and operate an industrial complex in the Koum Abou Rady, spanning over an area of 70 feddans, the press release added.

DP World acquires automotive logistics solutions provider CFR Rinkens

DP World looks to expand its automotive logistics offering by acquiring CFR Rinkens: Dubai-based port operator DP World has moved to acquire California-based automotive logistics solutions provider CFR Rinkens, according to a press release. The acquisition — which is subject to approvals — is expected to enhance DP World’s end-to-end logistics offerings for automotive clients, the company said. Enterprise Logistics was unable to reach a representative for more details.

What CFR Rinkens brings to the table: CFR Rinkens will bring its expertise in containerized finished vehicles, semi-knock-down vehicle logistics, and innovative racking systems. CFR Rinkens also has expertise providing logistics solutions to the energy storage and battery life cycle industries.

What they said: “Our combined capabilities will empower our automotive clients to navigate the challenges presented by the industry’s shift to electric vehicles and the emerging green energy revolution,” Global CCO of Logistics at DP World Beat Simon said.

Advisors: Cascadia will assume the role of financial advisor for CFR Rinkens in the transaction, with Rutan & Tucker serving as legal advisor.

DP World is big in automotive logistics: DP World collaborates with top automakers to handle upwards of 10% of global automotive trade, the company statement said. The logistics giant has 16 ro-ro terminals and hauls over 30k cars in containers annually. It also hosts storage for upwards of 1 mn cars, with the company’s sites processing over 2 mn cars a year while also providing value-added services, the statement also said.

The impacts of Israel’s war on Gaza on shipping, as it enters its third week

Disruptions at airports, ports + border crossings rise as war in Gaza enters third week: Israel launched attacks on Syrian airports in Damascus and Aleppo, killing one person and damaging runways, leaving them unusable, AP News reports. This is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks inside Syria in the two weeks since the Israel-Hamas war started.

On the shipping front:Taiwanese container shipping line Evergreen announced force majeure on shipments headed towards Israel’s Ashdod port last week, Hellenic Shipping News reports, citing a customer note. Evergreen diverted its Ever Cozy vessel to Haifa due to concerns regarding safety. The backlog of ships around Haifa has been increasing in recent days, with 16 vessels anchored near the port as of last week.

Land transport is also affected: Trucks carrying Saudi-origin polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) cargoes are also trapped in Jordanas all border crossings between Jordan and Israel remain shut, Argus Media reports. The fate of the cargoes remains unclear, though Argus expects the conflict to flatten demand for PE and PP shipments in the Levant region, with sellers already noticing a fall in sales.

AND- Egypt is seeing knock-on effects from the war: A tanker looking to fill up at Egypt’s Idku LNG terminal had to turn around empty after Israeli pipeline gas shipments were halted due to the conflict, Reuters reported. Chevron’s closure of the Tamar field and suspension of exports via the underwater EMG pipeline has meant that there is less gas to meet Egypt’s domestic needs, limiting availability for exports, the newswire wrote.

LOOKING AHEAD-

Potential danger at the Strait of Hormuz: Israel’s war against Gaza may cause the US to further tighten sanctions against Iran, a move which may prod Iran to attack shipping in the strait, Reuters reported, citing analysts. The Marshall Islands registry, one of the world’s most widely used shipping flags, issued a notice saying that US and Israeli-flagged shipping in the region face greater risks of attack, the newswire said.

Brooge hires Freshfield as legal advisor on potential Gulfnav acquisition

Brooge appoints Freshfields as legal advisor on Gulfnav acquisition: Cayman Island-based oil infrastructure provider Brooge Energy has hired British multinational law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Freshfields) as its legal advisor to provide guidance on an acquisition bid from Gulf Navigation (Gulfnav), according to a press release.

Gulfnav put forward a proposal to fully acquire Brooge’s businesses and assets earlier this month, according to a 3 October press release. The company said that the proposed acquisition would be funded through a combination of direct payments and shares, and represents part of the company’s growth strategy which sees it providing an integrated portfolio of services covering oil, gas, and petrochemicals.

Still in early stages: Gulfnav is in the process of conducting due diligence on Brooge, and its advisors are still examining the proposed transaction, the company statement said. The move would be subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to close in 4Q 2023.

What they said: “This anticipated strategic step represents a new stage in our growth journey; and while we are still at an early stage, we believe this expansion would contribute to further broadening our customer base and improving their experience by enhancing the logistics services that complement our business units,” board member and Managing Director of Gulfnav Ahmed Kilani said in statements cited by the release.

About Brooge: Founded in 2013, Brooge is a leading player in the crude oil storage sector with facilities and terminals applying advanced technologies. The company’s only subsidiary, Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Company (BPGIC), is located in Fujairah where it is a market leader in the storage of crude oil products, fuel oil, refined fuel products, and crude oil extraction. BGPIC infrastructure in Fujairah has the capacity to store 6.3 mn barrels of oil, according to figures cited in Gulfnav’s statement.

Sustainable mobility startup Neo Mobility launches operations in UAE following USD 10 mn seed funding round

Sustainable mobility solutions provider Neo Mobility (Neo) has launched its last-mile logistics solutions in the UAE, after closing a USD 10 mn pre-launch seed funding round, according to a press release. The funding round saw participation from Delta Corp, Pyse Sustainability Fund, and other angel investors. The company will launch operations with a fleet of GSO-certified EV motorbikes with a driving range of 175 km, the press release said, adding that it’s the first all-electric last-mile startup in the GCC.

Where the money will go: The funds will be used to expand Neo’s fleet to 5k two-wheeler and four-wheeler electric vehicles by 2025, the press release said. The funding will also help the startup expand its technology team, CEO and cofounder Abhishek Shah added.

The startup will also establish EV charging infrastructure and battery swapping stations across the UAE, the statement added. Neo will also tap the ride hailing sector with its fleet of Tesla cars, the press release added. It also plans to introduce innovative leasing solutions, including potentially leasing its fleet to third-party logistics (3PL) companies, it added.

China looks to boost trade + economic ties with Egypt and the GCC. PLUS: Kazakhstan, UAE to boost trade

Egypt + China look to boost economic ties: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of China Zhao Leji and other high-level Chinese officials to discuss strengthening economic relations between the two countries, according to a statement. The meeting took place on the first day of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel Al Wazir presented projects that are underway to modernize ports and transportation networks, which the statement said are consistent with the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China + GCC are also eyeing stronger trade cooperation: Chinese and GCC commerce ministers held talks in Guangzhou, China to discuss enhancing bilateral trade, KUNA reports, citing a joint statement. The meeting highlighted the need for a “multidimensional” trade system connecting the GCC and Beijing, as well as the adoption of digital platforms to handle logistics and storage services.

ALSO FROM THE BRI FORUM-

China reboots its Belt and Road initiative: Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised more than USD 100 bn in new financing for developing economies, the Associated Press quoted him as saying at the opening of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum last week. Two Chinese-backed development banks, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, will each set up CNY 350 bn (USD 47.9 bn) financing windows, with an additional CNY 80 bn (USD 11 bn) put towards Beijing’s Silk Road Fund to support the BRI, the outlet writes. China will also remove restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, AP cites Xi as saying.

REMEMBER- China plans to tap a bigger pool of lenders for financing following a pullback in loans from China’s large policy banks, while also focusing on much smaller, greener projects, for its new iteration of the initiative.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Kazakhstan’s Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev has is planning to boost its trade with the UAEthreefold, eyeing a target of USD 1 bn. (Wam)

Isle of Man Ship Registry appoints MENA rep to expand its Middle East presence

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has appointedRakesh Yadavas its Middle East representative, where he brings over 30 years of shipping industry experience, according to a press release. Yadav’s new development role at IOMSR encompasses raising the registry’s profile, starting conversations with ship owners and operators across the region, and help develop its presence in the MENA region, according to the release. Yadav formerly worked at Great Eastern Shipping in India, Northern Marine Management Stena, as well as holding senior management roles at Bahri and Dubai’s Emarat Maritime. He also founded his own consultancy business in Dubai, SeaLogic Shipping, according to the press release.

Are food delivery drones coming to the UAE? + customs agents in the UAE can now carry out remote inspections. PLUS: More from SCZone, Iraq, Aramex, Qatar, AirArabia and Jet2

LAST-MILE DELIVERY-

Meituan UAS enrolls in UAE Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI program:China-based drone food delivery outfit Meituan UAS will join the UAE’s NextGen FDI initiative, which helps develop and scale up tech companies with incentives, Wam reported. Under the program, the company will study the possibility of introducing its food delivery drones, operating systems, and drone hubs to the UAE market. Meituan UAS has been operational in three Chinese cities as of 2021, Wam said.

The move is in line with the UAE’s ambition to become an autonomous delivery hub: The nation already offers licenses for commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones and is setting up wider infrastructure for broad ranging commercial applications of drones, Wam said. Last week also saw Abu Dhabi kick off its new smart and autonomous vehicle industries (SAVI) cluster at Masdar City, a move that is slated to prop up the emirate as a SAVI hub with applications for air, land, and sea mobility.

INFRASTRUCTURE-

Iraq is set to construct a 3 GW power plant and a 1 mn cubic meter per day water desalination plant in the Southern Al Faw Peninsula, Zawya reports, citing an Iraqi official. The plants will provide water and power to the Al Faw, Basra governorate, and other areas in southern Iraq, Basra’s Governor Asaad Idani said. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, Idani added.

CUSTOMS-

Customs agents in Dubai will carry out remote inspections:Dubai Customs and Dubai South have unveiled their remote inspection project, which aims to expedite business operations and reduce customs inspections time through the use of advanced technology and AI, at GITEX Global 2023 last week, according to a press release. The project will utilize AI, and a specialized robotic system leveraging thermal and infrared cameras and a long lasting lithium battery to carry out inspections within company warehouses, under Dubai Customs’ remote operation’s center supervision, according to the release. The initiative targets clients and clearance agents that are part of the authorized economic operator program, with the project slated to be rolled out to logistics companies operating in Dubai South initially, before expanding to business across Dubai, according to the release.

Abu Dhabi Customs + MBZUA ink MoU to boost AI projects: Abu Dhabi Customs has signed an MoU with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) on advancing AI projects through research and development at GITEX Technology Week 2023, Emirati News Agency Wam reports. “Areas of cooperation between the two parties include implementing innovative AI-based projects for Abu Dhabi Customs, collaborating on research projects and developing new technologies in customs fields, developing customs specializations in AI, in addition to providing training and educational programmes, organizing joint events, workshops and initiatives,” Executive Director Support Services Sector Fahad Gharib Al Shamsi said.

ENERGY-

Qatar to supply Shell with gas:Qatar Energy and Shell have inked two long-term liquified natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreements (SPA) for the supply of up to 3.5 mn tons per year of LNG to the Netherlands for 27 years, according to a press release. The LNG will begin to be delivered at the port of Roterdam’s Gate LNG terminal starting 2026, with the LNG volumes sourced from Qatar’s North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS).

More Qatari gas for Europe? Qatar Energy also inked two LNG SPA’s earlier this week with TotalEnergies to supply France with gas — under the same terms as the Shell agreement, according to a separate press release. The top LNG exporter aims to help Europe replace Russian supplies of LNG after the EU imposed sanctions on Russian energy imports, Reuters reports. The EU received some 40% of its gas from Russia prior to the Ukraine war, the outlet writes.

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) has inked a framework agreement with China Energy Company for the production of green fuel, according to a statement. The agreement, made on the sidelines of China’s Belt and Road Forum, aims to set up a USD 6.75 bn green hydrogen plant spanning 500k square meters in Sokhna Industrial Zone for the production of 1.2 mn tons of green ammonia and 210k tons of green hydron annually, according to the statement.

Green is the new black when it comes to energy: The agreement is one of several on green fuel production inked by the SCZone with Chinese companies at the forum in Beijing worth a combined USD 14.75 bn. China Energy signed an MoU with Egypt back in December to carry out a feasibility study for the plant.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Suez Canal Economic Zone boss Walid Gamal El Din discussed cooperation opportunities with Chinese logistics, EV, and fiber optics companies during his visit to China.(Statement)
The UAE’s low-cost carrier AirArabia is set to operate five flights a week between Sharjah International Airport and Egypt’s Sphinx International Airport starting 6 December 2023. (Press Release)
Aramex and Saudi shipping gateway Alodhave partnered to help SMEs in Saudi Arabia gain access to a larger pool of customers by automating import, export, and shipping processes in Saudi Arabia. (Statement)
Qatar Freezone Authority (QFZ) Chairman Ahmad Al Sayed held discussions with chair and founder of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab about incentives offered by the QFZ as well as potential collaboration in areas of mutual interest. (Statement)
Low cost carrier Jet2 will operate 17 new weekly flights to Morocco’s Marrakech and Agadir from the UK airports of Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, and London Stansted. (Statement)

More drones and robots, courtesy of Amazon + more news from Convoy, South Africa, and Maersk

Amazon has unveiled two new robotic solutions, Sequoia and Digit, that should expedite Amazon deliveries and bolster workplace safety, according to a press release. Sequoia began operations in the company’s fulfillment center in Houston, Texas, and it is expected to speed up the process of identifying and storing inventory by 75% and lower the time taken to process orders by 25%, strengthening shipping predictability and boosting the number of products shipped for same-day or next-day delivery. It is also expected to shorten delivery times, increase the accuracy of delivery estimates, and enhance employee safety, the press release said. The company will also test Agility Robotics’ bipedal robot, Digit, for use in Amazon operations.

More automation to come:Amazon is also looking to introduce an ultra-fast drone delivery system, dubbed Prime Air, in Italy, the UK, and an additional US city by the end of 2024. Prime Air is introducing the new MK30 drone design, which is smaller and quieter than previous models. The drone will be introduced at fulfillment centers in Italy and the UK.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

US-based digital freight startup Convoy, which is backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is suspending its operationsdue to falling freight demand over the past year, and is looking into possible alternatives like selling its technology. (WSJ)
The Development Bank of Southern Africa will help ports and freight rail company Transnet prepare projects for private sector participation. (Bloomberg)
Maersk has contracted China’s Zhoushan Xinya shipyard for the world’s first methanol engine retrofit for its six-year old 15k TEUMaersk Halifax vessel, while shortlisting 11 vessels for methanol engine refits. (Splash)

Calendar

OCTOBER

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) goes on a roadshow to South Korea.

22-23 October (Sunday-Monday): Supply Chain and Logistics Conference 2023, Four Seasons, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

24-26 October ( Tuesday-Thursday): Parcel + Post Expo 2023, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.

26-29 October (Thursday-Sunday): ICASM 2023, Conrad, Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

28-29 October (Saturday-Sunday): G7 Trade Ministers Meeting, Osaka International Convention Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan.

30 Oct-2 Nov (Monday-Thursday): XLP AGM 2023, Barcelona, Spain.

30-31 October (Monday-Tuesday): Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit, London, UK.

31 Oct-2 Nov (Tuesday-Thursday): IAPH World Ports Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

September-November: Emirates Postal Group’s “Logistics Unleashed” competition, UAE.

NOVEMBER

November: Abu Dhabi Airports Terminal A set to become operational.

1 November (Wednesday): Smart Maritime Network Dubai Conference, Conrad Dubai, UAE.

11-13 November (Saturday-Monday): GCC-Türkiye Economic Forum, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey.

9-15 November (Thursday-Wednesday): Intra-African Trade Fair, Cairo, Egypt.

15-17 November (Wednesday-Friday): Global Freight Summit 2023, Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE.

13-17 November (Monday-Friday): Dubai Airshow, Dubai World Center, UAE.

17-18 November (Friday-Saturday): 17th Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

14-15 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): Supply Chain & Logistics Arabia, Narcissus, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

14-17 November (Tuesday-Friday): IATA Slot Conference, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.

15 November (Wednesday): Leaders in Logistics UAE Summit, Dubai, UAE.

20-21 November(Monday-Tuesday): Dubai Precious Metals Conference, SO/ Uptown, Dubai, UAE.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Intermobility Expo 2023, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Touchdown Middle East, Gulf Hotel, Bahrain.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): ARABAL 2023 Conference, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

23 November (Thursday): Global Supply Chain and Logistics Summit, Grand Millennium Hotel Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.

30 November-3 December (Saturday-Tuesday): Handling Expo, Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo, Egypt.

September-November: Emirates Postal Group’s “Logistics Unleashed” competition, UAE.

DECEMBER

4-6 December (Monday-Wednesday): ACE 23 Air Cargo Conference, Yas Island Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) exhibition, Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds, Tehran, Iran.

10-11 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Invest in Logistics, St.Regis Almasa Hotel, New Administrative Capital, Egypt.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2H 2023:Construction of Neom’s first hydrogen fueling station will kick off.

2H 2023: Expansion of Baghdad International Airport to begin.

3Q 2023: Design and supervision contract for Oman’s proposed Musandam Airport to be awarded.

Before the end of the year: The first phase of the Ain Sokhna port redevelopment will wrap.

2024

1Q 2024: Construction of phase 3 of Agility’s logistic park in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to be completed.

1Q 2024: Egypt’s Transport Ministry to launch pre-qualification tender for Cairo-Alex freight railway.

1H 2024: Civil Construction subcontracts for construction firms in Oman for implementation of the Abu Dhabi – Suhar rail link to be announced.

King Salman Energy Park is set to become operational in 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

12-13 February (Monday-Tuesday): Breakbulk Middle East conference, Dubai Trade Centre, UAE.

12-15 February (Monday-Thursday): African Air Expo, Cape Town, South Africa.

28 February-1 March (Wednesday-Friday): MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024, Dubai, UAE.

MARCH 2024

5-6 March (Tuesday-Wednesday): MRO Middle East, Dubai Trade Center, Dubai, UAE.

12-14 March (Tuesday- Thursday): IATA World Cargo Symposium, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong.

20 March (Wednesday): Construction work scheduled to begin on the 162 km Rasht-Astara Railway in Iran.

APRIL 2024

30 April- 2 May(Tuesday-Thursday): Autonomous E-mobility Forum, Doha, Qatar.

MAY 2024

2-3 May (Thursday-Friday): Geneva Dry, Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland.

21-23 May (Tuesday-Thursday): WAGA 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

JUNE 2024

19-21 June (Wednesday-Friday): World Freezones Organization’s Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Bari, Italy.

OCTOBER 2024

6-8 October (Sunday-Tuesday): Routes World 2024, Bahrain.

NOVEMBER 2024

13-15 November (Wednesday-Friday): The Bahrain International Airshow, Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain.

DECEMBER 2024

10-12 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Business Aviation, DWC, Dubai, UAE.

2025

Mid-2025: Iraq will complete phase one of the construction of the Grand Faw Port.

DHL and Aramco’s logistics and procurement hub in Saudi Arabia will commence operations.

1Q 2025: Sadr Park’s Logistics Center in Riyadh to be completed.

2027

4Q 2027: Oman’s Musandam Airport construction to be completed.

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