Sanctions hit UAE ships

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: Israel accuses Houthis of seizing British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea + Saudia will leave Riyadh in 2030 as Riyadh Air takes charge

Good morning, lovely people. We have a packed issue for you this morning, with several big updates from the GCC and Saudi Arabia, and more unusual news of the US sanctioning three UAE-based shipping firms for breaching its imposed oil cap on Russian oil.

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY- Saudi ports authority Mawani and Saudi Logistics Services Company SAL inked an agreement to build a logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port, as part of a new initiative to connect sea and air terminals in the kingdom. Meanwhile, the GCC’s transport ministers have agreed to set a December 2030 target for the GCC railway project’s operations.

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

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Royal Air Maroc cancels flights to and from Paris: An air traffic controller strike in France has led Morocco's flag carrier Royal Air Maroc (RCM) to cancel today’s scheduled flights to and from Paris-Orly Airport, the airline said in a statement. Passengers will be rebooked on another flight or given the option to receive a refund or change of date.

Background: The strike is in response to a new French law requiring controllers to provide at least 48 hours notice if they plan to participate in a strike, Morocco World News reports. Some 25% of flights have been canceled at Paris-Orly and Toulouse-Blagnac airports, while Bordeaux-Mérignac and Marseille-Provence have canceled 20% of flights due to the strike.

Falling debris from a Russian attack in west Ukraine has left one person injured and food warehouses damaged, Reuters reports. Debris from 16 destroyed Russian drones in Ukraine's western Khmelnytskyi region hit a truck driver and a workshop, three-story building, and seven containers used for storing vegetable oil, according to Ukrainian officials.

DISRUPTION WATCH-

Yemen’s Houthis warned that it could target Israeli vessels in the Red Sea and the BabAl Mandeb strait, the group’s leader said last week, Reuters reports. The Houthis have already launched missile and drone attacks against Israel this month. “Our eyes are open to constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, especially in Bab al Mandab, and near Yemeni regional waters,” leader of the Houthi group Abdulmalik al Houthi said.

Israel yesterday said that the Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the Red Sea, and claimed it was not owned by Israel nor did it have Israelis on the ship, Reuters reported separately. A US defense official was quoted as saying that they are “aware of the situation and are closely monitoring it.”

WATCH THIS SPACE #1- Saudia to bid adieu to Riyadh ahead of Riyadh Air’s entry into the market:Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia is looking to discontinue operations at Riyadh King Khaled Airport by 2030 to make way for Riyadh Air, Riyadh Air COO Peter Bellew reportedly told Airways Mag. The airline is looking to shift its focus towards operations in Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, as well as the Kingdom’s western region, while Riyadh Air will focus on Riyadh.

WATCH THIS SPACE #2- Iraq and Iran discussed plans to build a joint industrial zone and a freezoneduring a visit by an Iranian delegation to Baghdad, according to a statement from Economy Ministry Undersecretary Sattar Al Jabiri. The delegation reportedly visited Jassan and Zurbatiyah, where the two zones are to be situated, the statement adds.

This has been on the cards for a while: Earlier reports suggested that Iraq and Iran were in talks to establish a joint freezone along their shared border in Ilam by March 2024, with feasibility studies underway. Iraq is expected to use the zone to export products to other countries through Iran’s access to the Indian Ocean.

WATCH THIS SPACE #3- Jumia plans to launch a new logistics center in East Cairo: Pan-African e-commerce company Jumia plans to establish a new logistics center in East Cairo before 1H 2024, Al Mal quotes Jumia Egypt CEO Abdellatif Olama as saying. Jumia last year signed a long-term lease agreement with Hassan Allam Utilities for a space in East Cairo logistics complex, according to a statement.

MARKET WATCH-

Baltic Index posts second consecutive weekly gain:The Baltic dry bulk sea freight index rose the second consecutive time last week amid stronger demand across vessel segments, according to Reuters. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, rose 3.5% to a more than three-weeks high, while the capesize index rose 6.8%. The Panamax index also gained 22.5% for the week, while the supramax index was up 7.1%.

HELP SUPPORT GAZANS-

Want to support relief efforts in Gaza, but don’t know how? We’ve got you. More than a mn people in Gaza have been thrown from their homes and every human being there lacks access to food, water, and fuel amid the most intense bombardment any population has endured this century. The charities we’re listing below are organizations working on Gaza relief that we think you can trust if you want to make a donation.

#1- Egyptian Red Crescent Society is one of Egypt's leading providers of humanitarian and emergency medical services. The Egypt Red Crescent accepts donations in EGP online and is on Fawry with the service code 99981. You can also donate to the organization through this Banque du Caire account: 49/403/30 (EGP) or 1065/601/30 (USD — code: BCAIEGCX030).

#2- The Emirates Red Crescent Authority has launched the Tarahum — For Gaza campaign and is accepting donations online via What’s App, SMS, Apple Pay, credit card, or bank transfer to ADIB (AE370500000000020000417).

#3-The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched the Sahem campaign accepting donations via their website, mobile apps on Apple Store and Google Play, or bank transfer to Al Rajhi Bank (SA5580000504608018899998).

#4- UNICEF has been on the ground in Gaza since the start of the crisis, providing urgent supplies and aid. You can donate to the agency directly using your card in your local currency here.

ALSO- The folks at Talabat are processing donations for a range of Gaza relief appeals by charities including the Egyptian Food Bank, Misr El Kheir and the Emirates Red Crescent Authority’s Tarahum campaign. You can make the donation via the Talabat app using your credit card.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The first GCC-Egyptian Business Forum will be held on 22-23 November in Cairo, Egypt, Bahrain News Agency reports. The event is being held under the theme Business, Investment, Partnership, with a focus on investments in real estate, agriculture, the food industry, and tourism in the region. The event is hosted by the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and organized in cooperation with the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council.

The third Caspian Economic Forum will be held in mid-November in Iran, state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency reports. The event is set to focus on transportation, joint ventures, oil and gas, finance, banking and technical cooperation in Iran, with Alireza Jahangiri, Iran’s deputy foreign caspian sea affairs minister, calling on economic institutions to attend, IRNA adds. The exact location and dates of the forum have yet to be confirmed.

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.

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

SAL to build logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port

Mawani + SAL partner up to boost sea and air connectivity: Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Saudi Logistics Services Company SAL inked an agreement to build a logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port, Saudi Press Agency SPA reports. The park is poised to boost sea-air connectivity, SPA said, without disclosing how it will be integrated with air terminals.

REMEMBER- Mawani inked in June an MoU with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) to improve air and sea logistics connectivity in the country by integrating freight operations at air and sea terminals.

The details: The new logistics area — which is set to span over an area of 54k square meters — will comprise smart warehouses, yards to store and distribute goods, as well as a re-export zone to provide regional sorting and distribution operations. The area will also include an integrated environmental system, and is geared towards offering sorting and distribution operations as well as value added services, SPA adds.

This also comes on the heels of SAL’s IPO: Saudia Arabian Airlines and Tarabot Air Cargo services jointly listed a 30% stake in their subsidiary SAL on the Saudi Tadawul Exchange in September, raising some USD 678 mn.

GCC looks to operate railway project by 2030

Long-delayed GCC Railway to kick off by 2030: GCC transport ministers set December 2030 as a target date for the launch of the GCC railway project at the 25th meeting of the Committee of GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications in Muscat, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

2024 budget approved: The meeting also endorsed the 2024 budget of the GCC Railway Authority and approved laws and regulations governing the authority’s administration, finances, procurement, and storage, ONA added, without disclosing further details about the budget or the approved laws. The ministerial meeting also recommended a unified framework for ballast water tests at GCC ports besides other regulatory measures.

Background: Proposals for a 2.1k km railway linking Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar were ratified as early as 2009 but numerous delays meant that feasibility studies were only completed in May of this year. The project was projected to cost some USD 15 bn in investments. The GCC Railway Authority was earlier this year coordinating with members to ensure that all countries involved adhere to unified standards when constructing proposed links. The Saudi cabinet later gave its go-ahead to a 111 km freight and passenger railway connection with Kuwait as part of the initiative in September.

US levies sanctions on three UAE-based shipowners for violating G7 price cap on Russian crude

Three Emirati shipping firms will see a freeze on their US-based assets after violating G7 price cap: The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed penalties on UAE-based Kazan Shipping, Progress Shipping, and Gallion Navigation for operating tankers which engaged in trade violating the USD 60 per barrel price cap on Russian crude while employing US-based services, according to a statement.

The details: Property owned by the firms in the US or controlled by US-based firms have been frozen and a ban has been issued on US firms engaging with the companies, the statement explained.

REMEMBER- A price cap of USD 60 per barrel on shipments of Russian oil mandated by G7 countries and Australia came into effect in February of this year. The regulation seeks to curb revenues that Moscow can divert to its war in Ukraine while also ensuring relative stability in global oil supplies.

OFAC is not kidding around: “Shipping companies and vessels participating in the Russian oil trade while using Price Cap Coalition service providers should fully understand that we will hold them accountable for compliance,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in the statement.

What’s next for the penalized ships? The ships are making their way to India, which is considering whether or not to let them dock at the port, Marine Insight reports

This is the second time the US has imposed price cap-related sanctions in as many months as it looks to double down on loopholes:Early October saw OFAC slap sanctions on UAE-based Lumber Marine and Turkey-based Ice Pearl Navigation in the first instance of such penalties. Although the price cap has been in place for almost a year, Russian crude had been trading below the USD 60 per barrel cap until as recently as July, S&P Global reported.

There’s doubt over the sanctions’ effectiveness: The sanctions are not expected to be decisive in limiting trade violating the price cap as the sanctioned entities are Russian owned companies that are “expendable” and can easily be switched out with new ones, Director of Geopolitical Risk Service at Rapidan Energy Group told S&P Global.

Russia’s Urals fell below the price cap following the sanctions:Russian Urals oil fell below the Western USD 60 cap amid increased freight rates caused by new US sanctions on shipowners and a decline in global oil prices, Reuters reports. Freight rates for Urals oil shipments from Russia's Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga to India rose to USD 9.2-9.5 mn per tanker per voyage on Friday, up from USD 8 mn last week.

REMEMBER-Western sanctions on Russian crude following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has redrawn energy trade routes, with the UAE’s location and well-developed shipping industry seeing the country emerge as a hub for the transhipment of Asia-bound Russian oil.

Emirates orders 15 Airbus A350-900s as it continues talks over A350-1000s despite skepticism

Emirates has secured a USD 5 bn order for 15 Airbus A350-900s at the Dubai Airshow after pulling the brakes on a separate order from Airbus due to claims of engine defects and a lack of durability, according to a press release. The airline’s first A350 will be delivered in August 2024, and with these latest orders, Emirates will continue to receive A350s until early 2028, according to the release. The order will bring Emirates’ total number of A350s to 65 units.

The plan: The A350s will serve a range of new markets including long-haul missions of up to 15 hours from Dubai, Emirates Chairman and CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum added.

About the A350: The aircraft is a widebody that can fly ultra-long-haul routes up to 9.7k nm, and delivers a 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO2 emissions, as well as 50% noise reduction compared to previous generation competitor aircraft, according to Airbus’ website.

The purchase comes as a compromise after the airline backed off on a bigger order of 35-505 A350-1000 jets, citing a dispute with engine maker Rolls-Royce over the durability of its engines, Reuters cites industry sources as saying. The smaller A350-900s engines are variants of the engines of the larger A350-1000 jets, according to Reuters.

It’s not a goodbye, it’s a “see you soon”: The carrier’s President Tim Clark told Reuters that Emirates would be prepared to order 35-50 jets if the durability and maintenance costs were improved. Rolls-Royce’s Chief Customer Officer Ewen Mcdonald also took a positive approach, noting that the purchase shows trust in Rolls-Royce, the newswire said. “We will continue our discussions with Emirates on the A350-1000 engine improvements and look forward to them choosing this aircraft in the future,” he said.

Emirates was on a shopping spree at the airshow: Emirates ordered USD 52 bn worth of Boeing aircraft, including 90 Boeing 777X and five 787s, bringing Emirates’ 777X order book to a total of 205. The addition of the 95 Boeing and 15 Airbus planes brings Emirates’ total order book to 310 widebody aircraft, according to the release.

OTHER EMIRATES SPLURGES FROM THE AIRSHOW- The airline will also investUSD 950 mn to build an engineering facility for maintenance, repairs, and overhauls in Dubai World Central, with its completion slated for 2027. Emirates also purchased 202 GE9X engines to power the 777X aircraft, while inking an agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise’s aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) engineering arm, Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited (Joramco) to provide nose-to-tail Boeing 777 maintenance services until the end of 2025. They also inked USD 1.5 worth of maintenance agreements on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow to maintain and improve operational efficiency.

Bahrain, Qatar to revive stalled bridge project + Iran, Turkmenistan eye bolstering trade. PLUS: More from KSA, Kuwait, Iran and Qatar

Bahrain and Qatar plan to restart work on the Qatar-Bahrain bridge project, according to a statement. Bahraini Prime Minister Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to discuss finalizing the plans on the bridge as well as improving cooperation between the two countries.

What bridge? The two countries had announced plans to build a 40km bridge which

links the northern region of Qatar to the eastern coast of Bahrain, but the project stalled after Bahrain — along with UAE, KSA and Egypt — severed ties with the country in 2017. The bridge is expected to reduce travel time between the countries by 30 minutes, and will feature a rail platform featuring four lanes.

Iran and Turkmenistan inked two USD 1 bn bilateral agreements to bolster trade through the construction of a 242 km road in Turkmenistan and the export of parts and equipment from Iran to support Turkmenistan’s power sector, Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. Both sides also agreed to run direct flights connecting Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat with the Iranian city of Mashhad in addition to settling Iran’s outstanding gas debt to Turkmenistan through a barter agreement involving the construction of the road, Tasnim said.

Iran is also looking to reel Turkmenistan into its Iran Road initiative: Turkmenistan has a special place in Iran’s Road Initiative, Iranian Roads and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash told Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedowon, Taisnim reported separately. The scheme looks to scrap transit and transport duties to encourage transit trade between the two countries. Such a scheme should benefit Turkmenistan by giving it access to open seas via Iran’s ports, Bazprash added.

Is a joint economic zone also on the table? Turkmenistan proposed that the two countries explore establishing an economic zone along the two countries’ border, in the Sarakhs and Incheh Borun regions, Iran’s official news agency IRNA quoted Turkeminstan’s Deputy Cabinet Chairman and Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov as saying.

Kuwait + Portugal sign MoU to regulate air transport between them: The Kuwaiti General Administration of Civil Aviation inked an MoU with its Portuguese counterpart to enhance and regulate air transportation operations, according to a statement. The agreement seeks to encourage more flights between Kuwait and Portugal, facilitate growth in commercial and cargo aviation, and increase trade.

KSA + Barbados sign air transport agreement: Saudi Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser and Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds have signed an air transport agreement, Saudi press agency SPA reports. The contract will help air safety and civil aviation security standards for the two countries, as well as promote fair competition protocols. Al Jasser also met with Barbados’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley to build on areas of common interest in transport and logistics services, according to a separate statement.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Iran + Kazakhstan discuss roadmap to bilateral trade: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri met with his Kazakh counterpart Alibek Bakayev to discuss finalizing a roadmap to boosting bilateral trade, as well as streamlining economic cooperation and trade exchange. (Tasnim)
Qatar’s Minister of Transportation Jassim Al Sulaiti met with Italian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi to discuss expanding cooperation in transportation, ports, and civil aviation. (Statement)
Qatar and the EU held a second meeting to discuss the implementation of theircomprehensive air transport agreement, where they touched on fair competition between carriers, financial transparency, developing the air transport sector, labor rights, and sustainability. (QNA)
Saudi Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser discussed with Saint Lucia’s Infrastructure and Transport Minister Stephenson King boosting transport and logistics ties. (Statement)

Aramex l Aramex launches courier operations facility in Oman + Ajex to operate warehouses in Dammam. PLUS: More from MBRAH, Gulf Air, Riyadh Air, Adnoc L&S and others

LAST-MILE-

UAE-based logistics giant Aramex opens courier operations facility in Muscat: Aramex has opened a central hub for Aramex’s operations in Oman located near Muscat Airport, according to a statement. The facility aims to facilitate faster delivery times and increase logistics management capacity, the statement adds.

The details: The facility is equipped with sorting and processing technology, while serving as a customer service center, according to the statement. The facility is also equipped with access control, CCTV surveillance and advanced security protocols.

STORAGE + WAREHOUSING-

Ajex to operate new warehouses in Dammam: Regional logistics services company AJEX has inked an agreement with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) for new warehousing facilities in the eastern Saudi city of Dammam, according to a press release. The facilities will cover 6k sqm of land, and will offer storage for a variety of items such as dangerous goods, food and beverages, and more.

AVIATION-

A new hangar for MBRAH: Dubai’s Aerospace platform Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) inked an agreement with integrated cabin completion and modification service center UUDS to open its third hangar at Dubai South, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The hangar, which will be located at one of MBRAH’s Code F plots, will provide aircraft management and on-wing cabin services. It will also feature an aircraft cabin completion and modification center, aircraft-on-ground support, helicopter services, and VIP aircraft parking, the statement adds.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air has signed an MoU with Lufthansa Technik Middle East (LTME) to exchange knowledge and collaborate on aircraft maintenance, according to a press release.The agreement involves setting up a training program covering various aspects of aircraft related component works, including overhaul capacity, repairs, loan exchanges and quality assurance. No timeline for the training program has been announced.

Riyadh Air partners with Lufthansa Systems to integrate a cloud-based operational platform: Riyadh air has signed a contract to implement an integrated operational suite provided by Lufthansa Systems, according to a statement. The move aims to maximize fuel and carbon savings through Lufthansa’s Lido and NetLine integrated systems, according to Riyadh Air COO Peter Bellew. This will be achieved with Lido Flight 4D, which computes the most efficient flight routes, as well as NetLine/HubControl, which allows for digitized turnaround and passenger connection management.

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

DP World + Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric join bidders for contract to manage and operate dry bulk terminal at Egypt’s El Dekheila Port: The two companies have purchased the tender and conditions booklet and are the latest to bid for the 30-year contract after Alexandria’s Port Authority (APA) opened the tender to bidders, Al Mal quotes sources in the know as saying. The deadline for purchasing the tender and conditions booklet has been set for 5 December, after which the APA will discuss technical specifications with bidders on 20 December.

What’s up for grabs? The EGP 1.6 bn terminal features a 300k square meter yard, and will have the capacity to handle four ships simultaneously once operational. The successful bidder will have the rights to manage and operate the facility for a 30-year period which includes an initial 18 months slated for improvements. The contract will see the successful bidder provide APA with a payout in four installments, in addition to a monthly fee, Al Mal wrote.

Who else is bidding? Eight other regional and international companies have so far purchased the booklet, including Cargill, LATT Trading and Shipping, and Venus International.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) will construct two vessels for Adnoc Logistics and Services, according to a press release. The 28-meter will each be powered by diesel engines and will allow a speed of 12 knots and a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, and will be used primarily for ship assistance, harbor towing, firefighting and coastal towing.

Morocco + Azerbaijan to collaborate on port development: General director of Morocco’s National Ports Agency Nadia Laraki has signed an MoU with general director of Azerbaijan’s Baku International Sea Trade Port Taleh Ziyadov to boost cooperation, according to a Baku Port statement. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation and partnership in port-related areas, including operations, logistics, terminal management, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

RAIL-

Saudi Arabia Railways has signed an MoU with Air Products Qudra for hydrogen fueling stations, reports Saudi press agency SPA. Qudra will supply and build hydrogen fueling stations along the Riyadh to Al Kharj, Damman to Jubail, and Ras Al Khair to Jubail train routes.

REMEMBER- Saudi Arabia Railways and its French partner Alstom launched hydrogen train tests last month to assess the train’s compatibility with the environment, and last week was handed a trial operating license.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

KSA’s Saudia Academy has inked an agreement with US technology information services provider L3Harris Technologies for the supply of ground handling training simulators at airports. (Press Release)
A delegation from DP World holding firm Dubai World visited Iraq’s Umm Qasr North Port to explore collaborations on developments at the port. (Statement)

Calendar

NOVEMBER

Mid-November: Third Caspian Economic Forum, Iran.

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

22-23 November (Wednesday-Thursday): GCC-Egyptian Business Forum, Cairo, Egypt.

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 (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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