Lots and lots of disruptions

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: More disruptions, from cyber attacks to real ones + Egypt set to offer up 6th of October dry port in January

Good morning, friends. It’s a very busy start to the week, and the tone of this morning is: good news, bad news. We have news of data breaches affecting companies in the region, and more maritime security tensions, but on the bright side — more consolidation, decarbonization, and automation. Let’s dive in.

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY- Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk will stop calling at Syrian ports effective 1 December, amid what it says are increasing “logistical” difficulties.

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

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- Amazon workers across Europe staged protests and went on strike on Black Friday, marking their disapproval of the e-commerce giant’s labor practices, Reuters reported. International labor group UNI Global Union orchestrated demonstrations and worker strikes in more than 30 countries between Black Friday and Monday under a campaign dubbed “Make Amazon Pay”, the newswire wrote.

The e-commerce giant’s operations in Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain are affected: Some 2k workers took part in strikes across six Amazon fulfillment centers in Germany, German trade union Verdi said. Meanwhile, more than 200 workers went on strike at Amazon’s warehouse in Coventry in the UK as a result of a long-running pay dispute. Over in Italy, more than 60% of workers at an Amazon warehouse also went on strike, while in France, Amazon parcel lockers were blocked with posters and barricade tape.

More strikes coming? Spanish union CCOO is also calling on Amazon workers to stage one hour strikes on Cyber Monday, the newswire wrote.

DISRUPTION WATCH- There were two attacks on Israeli-linked cargo vessels in the past two days, amid continued tensions in the region as Israel resumes its war on Gaza.

#1- Armed individuals took over an Israeli-owned oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden yesterday, Reuters reported, citing a US defense official. The tanker — dubbed Central Park — is owned by Israel’s Zodiac Maritime. The US official said the country is “in the vicinity” and is “closely monitoring the situation.”

#2- An Israeli-linked container ship was struck by an alleged Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean, Reuters reports, citing a US defense official. The vessel — dubbed Mayet — was hit by an unnamed aerial vehicle which seemed to be an Iranian Shahed-136 drone, resulting in minor damages to the vessel, with no injuries. Mayet turned off its transponder on Tuesday prior to departing Dubai’s Jebel Ali port.

These are the latest in a string of disruptions in the region’s waters: Yemen’s Houthis last week seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea due to its affiliation with Israel, amid its ongoing war on Gaza.

ALSO- A cargo vessel, dubbed Raptor, sank off the Greek island Lesbos yesterday,killing at least one crew member and leaving 12 missing, Reuters reports. The ship, which was carrying salt, left Egypt’s El Dekheila port towards Istanbul, when it faced a mechanical failure and issued a distress call early yesterday.

Three major Greek shipping firms have stopped transporting Russian oil amid heightened US scrutiny on Russian crude: Greek shippers Minerva Marine, Thenamaris and TMS Tankers refused requests for vessels intended for the transportation of Russian crude in November, reports Reuters. The three Greek companies operate more than 100 oil tankers and are capable of handling almost all the oil exports from Russia’s European ports. The move comes amid US-imposed sanctions on shipping firms carrying Russia oil, including three UAE shipowners accused of transporting Russian crude priced above the USD 60 per barrel G7 price cap.

Looking ahead: Russia will be looking towards its homegrown shipping company Sovcomflot, as the development has narrowed the number of shipping firms available to transport Russian crude. It could also look at several lesser-known shipping firms registered in UAE, India, Hong Kong, Seychelles, and Ghana, according to Reuters sourced data.

AND YET ANOTHER DATA BREACH-Bahrain’s Gulf Air was hit with a data breach last week, which it said may have compromised information from its email and client database, Bahrain news agency BNA reports. The airline says it took the needed steps to manage the incident, confirming that Gulf Air’s operations and critical systems remained unimpacted, BNA added, citing a Gulf Air statement.

This is the latest in a series of cyberattacks affecting companies in the sector: Cairo International Airport’s website also briefly shut down following a failed cyberattack attempt by a hacking group called Autonomous Collective earlier this month. Over in Australia, DP World was also hit with a cyberattack that had disrupted operations at major container terminals in the country.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Iran is lobbying for softer language in a draft IMO resolution that looks to curb ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, ahead of its discussion at the IMO assembly meeting that kicks off today, Splash reported, citing a document it had picked up. Iran noted that the draft resolution “shows a clear deviation of IMO’s concentration from its function and merit, as it includes controversial concepts and terms that lack precise and absolute definitions acceptable to all member states or within international law, such as dark ship or illicit,” the outlet explained. Iran asked for the IMO to instead focus on the technical standards governing operations like ship-to-ship transfers, while proposing that the resolution scrap the use of harsh terminology.

Background:Recent International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings had highlighted the risk of increased STS transfers, indicating that they could be used to circumvent sanctions and high ins. costs and may present environmental risks if there is a spill. The amendments, which are backed by the EU, Japan, the US and the UK, were made to address the proliferating practice.

REMEMBER- Iran — along with Russia — make use of a “dark fleet” of old tankers to circumvent sanctions when exporting oil, Reuters reported recently. Some of the tactics used include having tankers turn off their transponders to mask their locations and allowing STS transfers outside of designated zones, the newswire said.

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar arrived in the UAE yesterday for a two-day visit that will see him meet with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed is set to meet with the Prime Minister and ink several MoUs, according to a Pakistani ministry statement. The pair reportedly aims to ink several MoUs to ensure investment for Pakistan in a variety of sectors, including energy, port operations projects, wastewater treatment, logistics and aviation.

The China Trade Week Saudi Arabia 2023 kicked off yesterday and will run through to Wednesday in Dammam, with over 200 Chinese firms in attendance. The Chinese companies aim to expand their presence and explore potential investments in Saudi Arabia, according to the event’s website.

Antwerp XL will kick off tomorrow and run until Thursday at Antwerp Expo Hall 4 in Antwerp, Belgium. The event provides a platform for breakbulk, roro, heavy lift, and project cargo industry members to discuss important industry topics, talk to experts, meet top cargo owners and freight forwarders, and discuss trends and solutions as well as how to overcome challenges in the industry.

WATCH THIS SPACE-Egypt plans to offer up the 6th October dry port to investors in January, Asharq Business reported late last week, quoting Egypt’s Finance Ministry’s public-private-partnership unit head Atter Hannoura. Ports in Sadat City, Suez, and Borg El Arab are also set to be offered up soon. The execution of the dry port in the 10th of Ramadan is also expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

MARKET WATCH-

OPEC+ pushes back crucial policy meeting: The alliance of oil producers known as OPEC+ will be meeting on Thursday instead of today to decide on next year’s production target, it said in a statement. OPEC members failed to reach a consensus on the output quotas for African members, which caused the delay, Bloomberg wrote. There are signs the alliance moved closer this weekend to reaching an agreement with the African producers, who are aiming for higher quotas, four OPEC+ sources told Reuters.

The Middle East’s diesel exports to Europe fell to an 11-month low at an averageof 248k barrels a day (bbl / d) in October, Platts reports. The drop comes off the back of refinery disruptions — including at Saudi Arabia’s Satorp refinery and Kuwait’s Al Zour facility — due to maintenance and a rise in supplies from the US and India. One source said that Europe also usually aims to use up its stockpiles for year-end inventory management.

Egypt is set to resume LNG exports following an increase in Israeli supply, Bloomberg reports. Shipping data obtained by the news outlet shows that a carrier has docked at Idku, though its destination remains unknown. The resumption is expected to increase supplies to Europe and contribute to bearish signals for prices there.

REMEMBER- Egypt’s exports have been halted for months due to a long summer heatwave, declining local production, and the war in Gaza. The resumption was further delayed after Israel shut down production at a major gas field following the 7 October attack by Hamas.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Turkey next month to discuss bilateral ties, as well as proposals by the Iran-Turkey Joint Chamber of Commerce for boosting bilateral trade, including through a potential trade agreement, state-aligned Tasnim News Agency quotes chairman of the chamber Mehrdad Saadat as saying. Saadat said that Iran’s trade with Europe could grow by taking advantage of Turkey’s trade capacities.

The third Iran-UAE Joint Economic Cooperation Commission meeting will be held in the next coming weeks in a bid to develop bilateral cooperation, deepen commercial ties, and boost trade. The location has yet to be announced.

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

Maersk to stop calling at Syrian ports in December

Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk will wind down its operations in Sryia effective 1 December, according to a press release. The company will no longer offer shipments to or from any destination in Syria. Maersk currently has offices in Damascus, Lattakia, and Tartous, and port operations at Latakia, according to their website.

The details: The last Maersk ship to call to Syria will be Maersk Normada on 28 November. The company will be honoring any existing commitments and bookings that have already been assigned, the statement said.

The rationale: Sanctions on Syria have meant that the carrier’s operations in the country were already restricted, the statement explained. “This has recently become even more challenging logistically,” the company said, prompting it to exit the country completely.

Background: Syria has been under sanction by the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia and Switzerland since 2012, according to an EU statement. Updates to expand international sanctions to include a wider range of Syrian government officials and pro-government businesses were made in April, according to another EU statement.

Al Futtaim logistics launches new aerospace logistics division + Ryanair to launch domestic Moroccan flights in 2024?

Al Futtaim logistics launches aerospace logistics division: Regional supply chain solutions and logistics services provider Al Futtaim Logistics has launched a new aerospace logistics division in the UAE at the Dubai Airshow, according to a press release. The new division will serve a wide range of clients, including airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), parts suppliers, and asset leasing companies, the press release explains.

The details: The division will offer services including airside deliveries at major UAE airports, multiple carrier options, technician onboard charters (TOC), and a 24/7 centralized aerospace operations center with global reach, the statement said. It will also provide storage solutions that comply with the specifications of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the ASA-100 accreditation program, the statement adds. It will also bring to bear more than 300 service stations for aircraft on the ground operations, along with a storage and distribution network, Managing Director of Al Futtaim Logistics Raman Kumar added.

SOUND SMART- Dubai is the world’s seventh largest importer of aircraft and spacecraft parts, while the Middle East is projected to see a 3.2% growth in the market for MRO services over the next two decades, the statement added.

About Al Futtaim Logistics: Established in 1980, Al Futtaim Logistics, part of Al-Futtaim Group, provides global freight forwarding and local services, warehousing and contract logistics, local and cross border transportation, corporate transportation, domestic and international relocations, finished vehicle distribution, lead logistics, and 4PL services, according to the company website. The outfit is based in the UAE and has operations in 150 countries.

OTHER AVIATION NEWS-Ryanair plans to operate domestic flights in Morocco in 2024, reports Asharq Business, citing what it says are government and company sources. The airline has submitted an official request to Moroccan authorities, the sources said, while the Ryanair official said flights could commence in March if the request is approved. The move comes as domestic demand is expected to rise as Morocco prepares to host the 2030 World Cup, in a joint bid with Spain and Portugal. Morocco’s domestic flight market is currently limited to the national carrier Royal Air Maroc and private-owned UAE-affiliated Moroccan company, Air Arabia.

ICAO summit in Dubai sets 5% emissions reduction target for aviation by 2030

ICAO’s emissions reductions strategy sees a large role for SAF + LCAF: The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO)Third Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) concluded in Dubai on Friday with members agreeing to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation by 5 percent by 2030, according to a joint statement (pdf). Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) are expected to be the largest contributors towards achieving the goal, the statement said. An earlier draft statement had tabled a more ambitious 5-8% emissions reduction target, Reuters reported.

SOUND SMART-Aviation accounts for around 2-3% of global carbon emissions. While SAF is key to reducing aviation-related emissions, it remains costly and production is limited.

Not everyone was happy with ICAO’s statement: Oil-producers Saudi Arabia and Iraq were among several countries objecting to the framework’s timeframe and emissions reduction target. China and Russia also expressed reservations on ICAO’s new framework, citing a negative impact on their economies, Reuters wrote, while environmentalists were critical of the lack of tools to enforce ICAO’s mandate, the newswire explained.

Is the target feasible? SAF is currently three times more expensive than traditional fuels, but airlines will not use 100% SAF all at once, meaning that costs will be manageable, Director of the Air Transport Bureau at International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Mohamed Rahma told Wam at the conference. Manufacturers have begun unveiling engines adapted to using 100% SAF, which is an encouraging sign, the ICAO official also said.

It will require heavy investments in alternative fuels: ICAO will work to “globally scale-up the development and deployment for SAF, LCAF,” the statement said. “Now it is up to the finance community and energy sector to support the necessary infrastructure and start delivering SAF in ever increasing quantities,” Haldane Dodd, executive director of the Air Transport Action Group, a coalition of the world’s top airframe and aircraft engine producers, told Reuters. Capital investments of between USD 1.45 tn and 3.2 tn are required to produce the SAF volumes necessary to achieve net zero emissions in aviation, the newswire wrote, citing aviation industry estimates.

Rahma expects SAFs to be more accessible and affordable by 2040, citing what he says is a visible commitment from airlines to use alternative fuels and “encouraging” levels of investment into SAF development.

SPEAKING OF COMMITMENT-Emirates operates world’s first 100% SAF-powered A380 flight: UAE national air carrier Emirates has completed the world’s first sustainable aviation fuel-powered demonstration flight for the Airbus A380 wide-body aircraft, according to a statement released last week. One of the plane’s four engines was entirely fuelled by the alternative fuel, the statement notes.

More details: Emirates collaborated with Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) — which plans to supply SAF to Dubai Airports starting 2024 and is currently exploring SAF production both domestically and abroad — and Airbus, Engine Alliance, Pratt & Whitney, Neste, on the testing, technical assessments and data analysis for the demonstration flight, according to the statement. Enoc and Neste — which recently signed a supply agreement with Emirates for the supply of 3 mn tons of SAFs — provided the airline with the green fuels powering the flight.

AD Ports eyes USD 2 bn acquisition of Indonesia’s Meratus container shipping line

Abu Dhabi Ports (AD Ports) is in serious talks to acquire Indonesian logistics and coastal container shipping company Meratus, the Loadstar reported, citing sources from industry tracking platform Linerlytica. July had seen reports that Meratus was seeking a sale at a USD 2 bn valuation, with wide interest from prospective buyers, Bloomberg had reported. AD Ports has emerged as a favorite for the sale as the Abu Dhabi-based port operator looks to expand vertically, the Loadstar said.

The acquisition will expand AD Ports’ operations to Indonesia: “Meratus operates two terminals in Indonesia (Jakarta and Surabaya) so it would extend AD Ports’ footprint,” Linerlytica analyst Tan Hua Joo told the Loadstar. “Otherwise, Meratus’s shipping and logistics operations are almost entirely focused on Indonesia, so there’s little synergy with AD Ports’ existing operations.”

AD Ports already has a maritime shipping arm: The company’s Safeen Group operates the world’s third largest container shipping line with a 100k TEU capacity, according to the company website. AD Ports is also hoping to close the purchase of an 80% stake in Dubai-based container shipping company Global Feeder Shipping.

This will be the third AD Ports acquisition this year: July saw the port operator acquire a 100% stake in Spanish logistics outfit Noatum after receiving regulatory approval. Last month, Noatum also moved to acquire Spanish trucking company Sesé Auto Logistics. The move is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized in 1Q 2024.

UAE’s AD Ports Group + Kazakhstan’s KMTF acquire two new oil tankers

An AD Ports Group and KazMorTransFlot (KMTF) JV has acquired two new oil tankers for the transport of Kazakh oil across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, according to a press release. The two vessels represent a USD 35 mn investment and join a further three Aframax tankers acquired earlier this year and operate by the JV, dubbed Caspian Integrated Maritime Solutions (CIMS), which provides offshore and shipping services for exporters in the Caspian Sea, the statement said.

Lila + Taraz will move oil between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan: The two tankers were named Lila and Taraz at a naming ceremony in Aktau, Kazakhstan, the statement said. The vessels’ design is specially tailored for the Caspian Sea’s shallow draft and equipped with an inert gas system which yields a significant upgrade in terms of safety. The new service is set to diversify oil transport routes in the region and contribute to boosting Kazakhstan’s trade footprint, the statement said.

Background:Late 2022 saw AD Ports and KMTF ink a shareholder agreement kicking off a joint venture that is 51% owned by AD Ports and 49% owned by KMTF to provide shipping services for energy players in the Caspian Sea. May saw the Abu Dhabi-based port operator announce the purchase of three tankers worth AED 496 mn for operation with KMTF under the JV framework.

Iraq greenlights joint economic zone with Saudi Arabia + reissues tender for joint zone with Jordan

Iraq’s Industry and Minerals Ministry greenlit the launch of a border economic zone with Saudi Arabia, according to a ministry statement. This came during the first meeting of the committee managing the project led by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Khalid Battal Najm, where they also discussed the technicalities of running and managing the joint economic city. The project is planned to resemble the joint economic city on the Iraq-Jordan border.

The zone is set to become a key gateway between the two countries, encompassing freezones and banks, and boosting bilateral trade, the statement said.

Background: The two countries in May had discussed establishing a special economic zone on their borders, as they look to enhance bilateral cooperation and opportunities to build strategic partnerships.

ALSO FROM IRAQ-The Iraqi-Jordanian Company for Industry also reissued a tender for a developer contract for Iraq and Jordan’s joint economic city in light of increased interest from international companies, Jordanian news agency Petra reports. The future developer will be tasked with preparing comprehensive studies, designs, and engineering plans for the city. The developer will also be responsible for financing, implementing, managing, promoting, and operating the economic city, as well as supervising its maintenance. The new deadline for the tender is 1 March 2024.

Background: The tender to set up a joint Jordanian-Iraqi economic city was first floated back in April.

Savoye inks agreement to automate a CJ Logistics fulfillment center

KSA’s CJ Logistics is getting a fully automated fulfillment center:Warehouse automation solutions provider Savoye inkeda strategic partnership with a Saudi health-focused 3PL logistics firm CJ Logistics to fully automate its fulfillment center in Saudi Arabia, according to a press release. CJ Logistics manages logistics for Saudi e-commerce health retailer iHerb, and the partnership will help it boost the distribution of its products across the region amid increasing demand.

The details: The fulfillment center is set to become the first of its kind in the region, with a goods-to-persons (GTP) shuttle system, warehouse execution software, a zone to zone fast picking system and automated order packing. The system will allow the center to handle some 15k orders per day, the press release adds.

Kuwaiti logistics firm Raha secured USD 6.7mn in pre-series A funding round

Kuwait-based logistics tech startup Raha raised USD 7 mn in a pre-series A funding round, according to a press release. The round was led by Soor Capital, PIF-backed private equity fund eWTP Arabia Capital, KSA’s Aujan Enterprises, Kuwait’s Nox Management and London-headquartered VC Cedar Mundi Ventures. The latest round brings the firm’s raised capital to USD 14 mn, following an initial seed round that had raised USD 6.7 mn in 2022, the statement said.

What they said: “Our model is demonstrating its scalability and longevity, as we continue to expand our focus beyond our own e-commerce retail ventures to cement our role within the scope of the wider industry. This is proving especially effective in our recent expansions into both Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” said co-founder and CEO of Raha Salih Al Tunaib.

More investments in digital infrastructure are also in the cards: “As we expand, our focus remains on ensuring a smooth, efficient transition of both the customer experience and operational capabilities to the online domain,” Al Tunaib added.

About Raha: Established in 2022, Raha is a multi-sector technology company with operations in automation, robotics, and consulting. The company’s first project was Kuwait’s first fully automated e-grocery platform, dubbed ShopRaha. Since then, the company has launched br.tech, a consultancy that specializes in systems integration, robotics, and automation solutions for logistics, and Smooth Logistics, a 3PL service provider.

KSA, Ethiopia to boost transport ties + Egypt explores boosting trade with Bahrain and freezone cooperation with Oman. PLUS: More from Qatar

Saudi Arabia + Ethiopia eye stronger transport ties: Saudi Transport and Logistic Services Minister Saleh Al Jasser met with his Ethiopian counterpart Alemu Sim to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, according to a statement. Al Jasser and an accompanying delegation also visited the Modjo Dry Port, where they were briefed on the operating and logistics capabilities of Ethiopia.

Egypt + Bahrain agree to expand cooperation: Egyptian Prime Minister Muostafa Madbouly met with Bahraini Finance Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to discuss boosting cooperation in various sectors, according to a statement. The pair explored expanding cooperation in trade, economic development, science and technology.

The Bahraini side pledged to double trade exchange between the two countries to USD 1 bn and the two sides reached agreements on a number of undisclosed MoUs and initiatives. The delegation also discussed potential investments with the SCZone head Walid Gamal El Din and Trade Minister Ahmed Samir.

Egypt + Oman discuss expanding freezone cooperation: Egypt’s CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Freezones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba met with Omani Commerce, Industry and Investment Minister Qais Al Yousef, to discuss expanding investment between the two countries, according to a GAFI statement.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Qatari TransportMinister Jassim Al Sulaiti met with Lebanese Caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam to discuss enhancing economic and transport cooperation. (Statement)
Al Sulaiti also met with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano to discuss boosting cooperation in civil aviation. (Statement)
Peruvian Transportation and Communications Minister Raul Perez Reyes met with Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Acting President Mohamed Faleh to discuss boosting commercial aviation cooperation. (Andina)

Maersk inks landmark green methanol offtake agreement

Maersk commits to green methanol supply stream: Global shipping giant Maersk has inked a landmark long-term 500k tonne per year green methanol offtake agreement with Chinese clean energy supplier Goldwind, according to a press release. The move looks to “de-risk” Maersk’s low-emission operations into the next decade and represents the first agreement of its type for the global shipping industry, the statement adds. The offtake agreement’s scale and price “confirm our view that green methanol currently is the most viable low-emission solution for ocean shipping,” Maersk Chief Infrastructure Officer Rabab Raafat Boulos said. Maersk’s statement did not disclose the transaction’s value.

First deliveries are slated for 2026: The record volumes of green methanol will power the first 12 methanol-powered vessels Maersk expects to receive, representing more than half of the carrier’s methanol-enabled order book, the statement explained. Maersk will receive its first methanol-enabled 16k TEU vessel in 1Q 2024.

The news was picked up widely in the foreign press: Reuters | Splash | Seatrade Maritime.

UAE gets region’s first green hydrogen refueling station + Irena, DP World partner to decarbonize shipping. PLUS: More from Hafnia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Port Said Port

TRANSPORT-

UAE inaugurates region’s first green hydrogen refueling station: Adnoc inaugurated the region’s first high-speed green hydrogen pilot refueling station — dubbed H2GO — to test a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles, according to a statement released on Friday. The pilot project will gather data to explore the long-term viability of running hydrogen vehicles in the UAE, according to the statement.

More details: Operated by Adnoc Distribution, the station is located in Masdar City and will create green hydrogen from water using an electrolyzer powered by clean grid energy, the statement notes. The station will provide hydrogen that will be certified as green from solar sources by the International REC Standard.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

Irena + DP World partner to decarbonize maritime shipping: The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and UAE-based global port operator DP World signed an agreement to collaborate on scaling up the use of renewable-based fuels and electrifying the shipping and ports sectors, according to a statement released on Friday. The agreement will see the two organizations partner on aligning the current infrastructure, logistics, and processes with the demands of the energy transition, the statement notes.

Hafnia x SteelCorr: Singapore-based Hafnia, one of the world’s leading tanker companies, has partnered with Dubai’s AI start-up SteelCorr DMCC to oversee ship paint maintenance on 57 ships, according to an announcement by the company. The maintenance will be run through SteelCorr’s Digital Paint Report (DPR) app, which is designed for data collection and analysis on paint maintenance, such as through monitoring corrosion levels.

ZONES-

Work is underway to complete 21 out of the 59 logistics centers outlined in Saudi Arabia’s master plan for logistics centersunveiled in August,National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) CEO Sulaiman Al Mazrou told Al Eqtisadiyah. Efforts are also being made with regional authorities and the private sector to establish another 38 zones and have them up and running by 2030, the official added.

Talks with international companies on the implementation of the Riyadh-Jeddah Land Bridge Project are also in advanced stages, Al Mazrou told Al Eqtisadiyah, with work set to begin once the agreements have been finalized. NIDLP is also pursuing plans to link industrial cities with Saudi ports in a larger effort that will see the Kingdom’s northern, western, and eastern regions connected with Riyadh, the official said. The first phase of that effort will encompass Dammam’s Second Industrial City and Sudair Industrial City, he said.

Iran and Oman inked agreements to implement joint projects in their individual freezones and expand trade and economic relations, Tehran Times reports. This came during a meeting between Iran’s Secretary of Feezones High Council, Hojatollah Abdolmaleki, and Oman’s Chairman of Special Economic Zones and Freezones Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, where the two countries also signed four documents for cooperation regarding the energy, economy, investment and freezone sectors.

AVIATION-

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has inked an MOU with global digital communications firm Cisco to advance its digital transformation agenda and improve operations, according to a press release. The agreement looks to develop a roadmap that will enhance customer interactions, bolster security, optimize communications, and boost operational efficiency, the statement said.

London-based architecture firm Foster + Partners was awarded the contract to design a new terminal for Abha Airport in Aseer Province, according to a statement. The airport terminal design will take inspiration from Aseer’s landscape and be built to incorporate traditional Aseeri details, using locally sourced materials. Foster + Partners are seeking to include features that maximize fresh air, greenery and natural light into the terminal’s travel experience. To do so, the terminal will resemble a series of “interconnected human-scale clusters, outdoor courtyards and walkways,” according to Foster + Partners’ design plans.

LOGISTICS HANDLING-

PSCHC in line for more storage space at West Port Said Port:Port Said Container and Cargo Handling Company (PSCHC) is in talks with the Suez Canal Economic Authority for an agreement that would allocate them 500 meters of new space in West Port Said Port, reports Al Mal. The move aims to expand PSCHC’s container storage facility at the port and increase storage capacity to 44k containers, compared to the current 24k. It will also allow PSCHC to reach its target of having 1.5 mn containers move through the port per year, growing significantly from the present 800k.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Qatar’s QTerminals is using digital platform Portchain Connect to optimize its operations in Hamad Port, increasing the quality and speed of the berth alignment process. (Statement)
Oman LNG has inked a nine-year sale and purchase agreement to deliver some 1 mn metric tonnes per year of LNG to British Petroleum. The free-on-board agreement will commence in 2026. (ONA)
TheUAE inked an air transport agreement with Trinidad and Tobagoto streamline direct air links, with the agreement now pending ratification from the two governments. (Trinidad Express Newspaper)
Kuwait Airways has resumed year-round twice-weekly direct flights from Kuwait International Airport to Athens International Airport, Greece, following a decades-long hiatus. (GTP)

Calendar

NOVEMBER

Mid-November: Third Caspian Economic Forum, Iran.

November: Iran-UAE Joint Economic Cooperation Commission.

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

28-30 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Antwerp XL, Antwerp Expo, Hall 4, Antwerp, Belgium.

30 November-3 December (Thursday-Sunday): 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 (Sunday-Monday): Invest in Logistics, St.Regis Almasa Hotel, New Administrative Capital, Egypt.

12-14 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Food Africa Cairo 2023, Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo, Egypt.

18-20 December (Monday-Wednesday): International Exhibition of Transportation, Logistics, and Related Industries (Iran Trans Expo 2023), Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Campus (Mossala), Tehran, Iran.

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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