Good morning, friends. We’re ending the week with a relatively busy read — led by exclusive news on the possible return of Suez Canal transits in early 2026. PLUS: Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector growth has boosted its warehouse spaces. Let’s dive in.
HAPPENING TODAY-
#1- The Marine Environment Protection Committee Extraordinary Session is on its third day and will run until tomorrow 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.
Why this matters: The Net-Zero Framework will roll out mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing across the entire shipping sector, including large ocean-going ships over 5k gross tonnage that account for 85% of international shipping’s emissions. The framework was adopted last April and would oblige the global shipping industry — which is responsible for 3% of the world’s GHG emissions — to reduce and pay for a portion of its emissions. It is expected to come into effect in 2027.
A rift among IMO members: The draft was passed with support from 63 countries including China and Brazil. Sixteen countries voted against — nine of which were from our region, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The US threatened IMO members with retaliation last August, and renewed its warnings last week, threatening visa restrictions and sanctions to retaliate against nations that vote in favor, Reuters reported on Saturday.
#2- The Iraq International Transportation & Airports & Logistics Expo & Conference is on its second day and will close tomorrow 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.
#3- The International Forum and Expo on Mobility, Transport, and Logistics (Logiterre) is opening its doors today and will run through Saturday, 18 October in Casablanca. Logiterre will host main operators within the industry from West and Central Africa.
WATCH THIS SPACE-
#1- Adnoc’s Covestro play nears EU clearance: Adnoc is reportedly on track to obtain approval from the European Commission for its EUR 14.7 bn (USD 17 bn) takeover of German’s Covestro, Reuters reports, citing people it says are familiar with the matter. EU regulators are said to be reviewing minor tweaks to Adnoc’s remedy package, which includes changes to its articles of association to remove an unlimited state assurance and a pledge to keep Covestro’s intellectual property within Europe.
REFRESHER- Adnoc’s acquisition of Covestro marks its largest-ever M&A transaction and one of the biggest Gulf takeovers of an EU-listed company, as the state-backed energy major continues to diversify downstream and expand its global chemicals footprint.
Sweeteners gain traction in Brussels: The Commission recently sought feedback from market participants after receiving Adnoc’s revised proposal earlier this month and is expected to greenlight the transaction following slight adjustments, sources said. The probe, which was temporarily paused last month pending data requests, is set to resume after Adnoc reportedly fulfilled all outstanding information requirements.
#2- Khazna earmarks 400 MW of 1 GW goal for key markets: Dubai-based Khazna DataCenters plans to add 400 MW of new data center capacity to its key markets in Saudi Arabia and Italy, among others, according to a press release (pdf). In Italy, it is set to develop a 500 MW data center with Eni, while in Saudi Arabia it is aiming to capture more than 25% of the Kingdom’s data center market. It is also making forays into Egypt and Turkey. The target is part of a wider plan to expand its overall operational capacity by more than 1 GW by 2030.
#3- Etihad Airways is restoring single-aisle aircraft from the secondary market in a bid to manage plane delivery backlogs and persistent supply chain snags, CEO Antonoaldo Neves told Bloomberg. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has added four Airbus 320-family jets to suit its operational needs — although some 14 planes were available — with two coming from lease expiries and the remaining lease terminations, Neves said, without disclosing the prior operators.
Small but mighty? The smaller, single-aisle planes have proved easier to source, while wide-body planes are a bit harder to uptake, Neves added. The company plans to add two additional newbuild A380 aircraft into its fleet by mid-2026 — avoiding the secondary market due to issues with interior refurbishment.
Tough times to come: Analysts estimate that supply chain delays will cost airlines over USD 11 bn this year alone, according to data from the IATA. With airlines facing a global commercial aircraft backlog of 17k units last year, igniting financial and strategic burdens.
REMEMBER- Etihad Airways is weighing bulk buying aircraft parts and storing them in local warehouses for on-demand access — in a bid to sidestep supply chain gridlocks from planemarkers. The bulk purchases are aimed at lowering downtime for jets undergoing retrofits in a bid to minimize network disruptions as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier rolls out a USD 1 bn retrofit program for its existing fleet. The airline is also aiming to add 22 aircraft to its fleet this year, part of its push to reach 170 jets by 2030, Neves said earlier this year.
#4- Iraq’s Khor Mor expansion comes online: UAE-based Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum have begun commercial gas sales from Iraq’s Khor Mor gas field expansion project, ahead of schedule, according to a press release (pdf). The project, located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, was previously reported to come online by 1Q 2026.
REMEMBER-Crescent Petroleum offered to supply Iraq with some 100 mn scf/d of natural gas to support its electricity generation needs last month. The gas is expected to come from Kurdistan’s Khor Mor field in northern Iraq.
Iraq surely needs it: Iraq — which runs power supply shortages of up to 13 GW at peak times — is facing difficulties sourcing enough power, especially as the US terminated a waiver allowing the country to import Iranian electricity last May. Baghdad subsequently pivoted to Oman and Qatar for natural gas supplies, while targeting power self-sufficiency and a complete halt to natural gas imports by 2028.
MARKET WATCH-
#1- Oil prices rose this morning after US President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed India would stop buying oil from Russia, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures climbed USD 0.57 to USD 62.48 / bbl as of 00.46 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased USD 0.54 to trade at USD 58.81 / bbl.
ALSO- Oil will continue to account for around 30% of total energy demand by 2050, with primary energy demand expected to rise by 23% by then, Reuters reports, citing Opec Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais at Russian Energy Week. Growing populations, economic expansion, and rapid urbanization all point to how global energy demand will continue to climb well beyond current levels, he said.
Energy security and economic growth must come before climate goals, Reuters added, citing Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abulaziz bin Salman, arguing that sustainable development cannot be achieved “without energy security and economic prosperity.”
Opec has repeatedly argued that oil demand will remain strong for decades, diverging from projections such as those of the International Energy Agency, which expects consumption to peak within the next few years.
#2- Baltic index snaps upwards streak: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — slipped 1.2% to 1,997 points on Wednesday. The capesize fell by 3% to 2,916 points, while the panamax index climbed 0.3% to 1,821. The smaller supramax index increased 0.7% to 1,418.
#3- China’s port fees send supertanker rates soaring: The spot rate of very large crude carriers (VLCC) shipping crude oil from the Middle East to China hit 98% of the industry’s standard benchmark rate on Monday, reaching its highest level in two weeks, Reuters reports, citing LSEG data. This was prompted by China’s move to impose fees across its ports on US-owned, built, or flagged vessels, in retaliation for US policy enforced earlier this year.
The move is making big waves: Shipowners are now reviewing their corporate structures to possibly trim ownership by US entities or individuals, after Beijing announced its penalties, Bloomberg reports, citing industry sources. Companies with over 25% American ownership have started excluding China and Hong Kong from their list of acceptable sailing destinations, the sources said. This has resulted in a two-tier system — where companies are distinguished by their willingness to sail to China — beginning to emerge among shipowners.
DATA POINTS-
#1- Boeing records a rise in 3Q deliveries: US aircraft manufacturer Boeing saw its commercial aircraft deliveries increase by38% y-o-y to 160 deliveries in 3Q 2025, according to a statement. The firm delivered 121 of the 737 MAX, six 767s, nine 777s, and 24 of the 787s during the period. Deliveries so far in 2025 have reached 440 — registering a 51.2% increase y-o-y from last year.
Solid years so far: Boeing saw its commercial carrier deliveries rise by 60% y-o-y to reach 280 in 1H 2025, although it saw a slight drop in its aircraft deliveries, dropping 20% m-o-m to 48 aircraft in July 2025.
IN OTHER AVIATION NEWS- Airplane manufacturers Airbus and Boeing are facing “unprecedented” delivery and certification delays — holding back major European airlines from achieving their decarbonization targets, Bloomberg reports, citing customers. The delays — which are partially blamed on the pandemic — are amplified by a US government shutdown that halted aircraft inspections.
#2- Tunisia’s trade deficit grew by nearly 23% to approximately TND 16.7 bn (c. USD 5.7 bn) in 9M 2025, as imports from China and Turkey surged while exports remained largely stagnant, AGBI reports, citing data by the country’s National Institute of Statistics. Tunisia’s imports from China rose by 29% while imports from Turkey increased by 18%.
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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
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.
Egypt will host the TransMea Expo on Sunday, 9 November until Tuesday, 11 November in Cairo. The expo will host regional and international players in the transport industry to explore tech, new smart solutions and products for transport and logistics services.
The UAE will host the Dubai Airshow on Monday, 17 November until Friday, 21 November in Dubai. The event will host over 1.5k exhibitors and 148k industry experts from over 150 countries, to discuss air mobility, new MRO breakthroughs, sustainable aviation, startups and new tech for aircraft simulations.
Saudi Arabia will host the ShipTek International Conference and Awards on Tuesday, 18 November in Al Khobar. The conference will host policy makers, organizations, suppliers and experts on maritime, offshore and oil and gas.
Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.




