Turkey’s Arkas secures IFC-syndicated USD 355 mn loan for ports and fleets expansions

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: Turkey’s Arkas secures syndicated loan from IFC

Good morning, folks. We’re kicking off the week with an issue full to the brim, led by debt updates from Turkey’s Arkas Holding, as well as a spate of project updates from Saudi and Egypt. PLUS: A flood of earnings from UAE’s major logistics players. Let’s get the ball rolling.

HAPPENING TODAY-

The Dubai Airshow will open its doors today and will run through until Friday, 21 November at Dubai World Central. Focusing on a diverse range of subjects — including aerospace technology advancements, sustainable aviation solutions, and cybersecurity — the conference will host some 135k attendees and around 1.4k exhibitors. There will be 192 aircraft on display with USD 101.5 bn orders already booked, according to the event brochure (pdf).

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- DP World in talks to build Sadat dry port in Egypt…: UAE port operator DP World is in negotiations with the Egypt’s Transport Ministry to secure development and operating rights for the Sadat dry port, Al Borsa quotes Egypt’s General Authority for Land and Dry Ports head Sayed Metwally as saying. The ministry is currently reviewing the Emirati group’s feasibility studies, he added, without disclosing the port’s cost. Unconfirmed reports had previously put the port’s expected investment cost at USD 160 mn.

… and also eyeing the Shaq El Tebaan dry port, trying to secure the contract to develop and operate the 125-feddan, USD 100 mn dry port, Metwally said. Earlier this year, the Transport Ministry scrapped the tender for the port after none of the three bidders met technical requirements. At the time it was reported that the authority will instead relaunch the project through a closed-envelope auction, with technical bids due next January and financial offers the month after.

#2- Airbus vs Boeing showdown for flydubai jet order: Separate reports from Bloomberg and Reuters suggested that Airbus and Boeing are both in the lead to land the majority of an order for as many as 300 jets from flydubai. Bloomberg had first reported that the budget airline is slated to tap Boeing for the order, with Reuters reporting hours later that Airbus “looks set to beat Boeing,” with insider sources.

Flydubai is expected to announce the order, consisting of 200 narrow-body planes with an option for 100 more, at this week’s Dubai Airshow. At present, the airline only operates Boeing aircraft, but delays in 737 deliveries have prompted it to explore other options, sources told the news outlet.

REMEMBER- The US Federal Aviation Administration authorized Boeing to ramp up 737 Max production to 42 jets per month starting November. The model has been under scrutiny due to safety concerns since Alaska Air technicians found loose hardware in the door plug area on several Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.

#3- State-owned Air Algérie is mulling plans to pull the trigger on new jet orders in 2026 — as part of its 10-year plan to become a global carrier, CEO Hamza Benhamouda told Asharq Business on Friday. The Algerian airline has taken the delivery of its first Airbus A330-900 on Thursday and is slated to receive seven more A330neos, which will primarily support the launch of new transatlantic and Asian routes.

What does Air Algérie’s fleet look like? Air Algérie boasts a current fleet of 52 aircraft — with a large order from aircraft manufacturer ATR bagged back in July for 16 new ATR 72-600 jets, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2028.

#4- Tunisia is lining up TND 3 bn airport expansion project: The Tunisian government is working on a project to expand Tunis-Carthage International Airport for TND 3 bn (c. USD 1 bn), Tunisian outlet Mosaiquefm reported last week, citing comments by Tunisian Transport Minister Rachid Al Amari. The project, which targets raising the airport’s handling capacity to 18 mn passengers, will also include a metro link connecting to central Tunis, Al Amari said.

Where’s the project now? Tunisia’s Civil Aviation and Airports Authority has undertaken a feasibility study for the project, and the government intends to develop the project under a ‘turnkey’ framework, whereby a single contractor is tapped for everything from design and construction to delivery. No timeline was disclosed.

Background: The Tunisian government approved an expansion plan for Tunis-Carthage International Airport, according to a statement published last year. The plans involved — at the time — establishing a new air terminal spanning 80k sqm to raise the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 5 mn to 13 mn passengers. It also entailed building a new control tower and developing rail links — including a connection to the city center, a high-speed line to Enfidha–Hammamet International Airport, and a metro line from Lake Tunis to Bhar Lazreg.

There’s more: The Tunisian government is also mulling the development of a new airport in Bizerte, the capital and largest city of Bizerte Governorate in northern Tunisia.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices took a dip this morning after Russia resumed operations at its oil export hub Novorossiysk, which went out of service for two days following a Ukraine attack, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures fell USD 0.53 to trade at USD 63.86 / bbl as of 04:23 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped by USD 0.54 to USD 59.53 / bbl.

IN LONG-TERM MARKET NEWS- Opec kept its global oil demand growth projections unchanged at 1.3 mn bbl / d for 2025 and 1.4 mn bbl / d for 2026, according to its November oil report (pdf) released last week. Demand in the Middle East is forecast to climb by 108k bbl / d in 2025 to average 9 mn bbl / d, led by higher consumption in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE.

Demand for Opec crude was revised down by 100k bbl / d from last month’s assessment to 42.4 mn bbl / d. For 2026, demand for Opec crude is seen at 43 mn bbl / d, also 100k bbl / d lower than the previous projection. This implies a small surplus of around 20k bbl / d next year, assuming production remains at October levels.

On the supply side, Opec’s output stood at 28.5 mn bbl / d in October, with the UAE pumping some 3.3 mn bbl / d based on direct communication with the organization. Opec’s secondary sources put the UAE at some 3.4 mn bbl / d. The figures line up with a recent Reuters survey that estimated Opec’s October output at 28.43 mn bbl / d.

REMEMBER- The IEA tells a slightly different tale: The International Energy Agency (IEA) raised its demand growth forecasts by 80k bbl / d for 2025 and by 70k bbl / d for 2026, with both years remaining under the 800k bbl / d mark, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing the agency’s latest monthly oil report. Stronger petrochemicals feedstock consumption underpinned IEA’s projection.

#2- Baltic index declines to its lowest: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — rose 2.3% on Friday to 2,125, driven by continued declines in the bigger vessel segment. The capesize climbed 3.8% to 3,252, while the panamax index remained unchanged at 1,897. The smaller supramax index climbed up 21 points to 1,408.

#3- The Drewry World Container Index decreased by 5% to USD 1,859 per 40-ft container on Thursday, according to the latest index readings. The drop comes on the back of market turbulence driven by the US’s tariff policies since April. The container forecaster projects the supply-demand balance to fall in 2H 2025, causing spot rates to fall further.

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DID YOU KNOW that we also cover Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE ***

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Saudi Arabia will host the ShipTek International Conference and Awards on Tuesday, 18 November in Al Khobar. The conference will host policymakers, organizations, suppliers, and experts on maritime, offshore, and oil and gas.

Egypt will host the International Procurement Supply Chain Conference on Saturday, 6 December in Cairo. The event will gather over 1k delegates, more than 400 organizations, and over 30 global speakers to discuss the future of trade through keynotes and panel discussions. The discussions will center on Egypt’s transformation in the logistics sector, the future of smart ports and supply chains, as well as digital ecosystems.

Morocco is hosting the Rail Industry Summit on Tuesday, 9 December until Wednesday, 10 December in El Jadida. The two-day event will gather 130 exhibitors, 250 companies, and over 900 participants from 15 countries. It will feature business meetings, high-level conferences, and workshops focused on new market trends and future strategies.

Saudi Arabia is hosting the Saudi Airport Exhibition on Tuesday, 16 December until Wednesday, 17 December in Riyadh. Upwards of 10k global attendees are expected to participate in the event from over 100 countries. The two-day event will focus on airport-related innovation, and will feature participation from Saudia, SolitAir, and Amadeus.

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

Arkas bags a USD 335 mn syndicated loan led by IFC

Arkas secures port + fleet expansion loan: Turkish conglomerate Arkas Holding has clinched a USD 335 mn loan syndicated by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) to finance expansions in ports capacity and intermodal transport fleet, according to a press release published on Thursday. Arkas is set to receive USD 260 mn as a first tranche, with the remaining funds slated to be finalized in the coming months.

What else we know: The facility saw the participation of several international financial institutions, including Emirates NBD and the ILX Fund. A part of the proceeds will also be directed to re-finance short- and medium-term loans to clear the way for longer-term projects — as Arkas works on bolstering investments in Turkey’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

Why does this matter? The loan is pitched as one of the most significant international financings for a Turkish private sector player under the World Bank group’s strategy to boost East-West flows along the Middle Corridor.

Uh, the Middle Corridor? The Middle Corridor is a planned 7k km multimodal logistics corridor moving through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe, and potentially bypassing Russia and Iran. The route is expected to cut transit time for Asia-Europe flows, requiring between 10 and 15 days, the statement notes. The corridor’s vision is projected to lead to considerable growth in container volumes, hitting some 1.9 mn TEUs by 2040.

Egypt inaugurates USD 724 mn worth of projects in East Port Said Port

Egypt’s East Port Said Port welcomes three new projects: The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi inaugurated three new terminals in East Port Said yesterday, worth a combined USD 724 mn, according to an Ittihadiya statement.

#1- A USD 500 mn expansion led by Maersk: The largest of the newly inaugurated facilities is the SCCT2 container terminal, a USD 500 mn expansion of the Suez Canal Container Terminal by Maersk-owned SCCT. The terminal spans 510k sqm, includes a 950-meter berth, and will add an extra 2.2 mn TEU of annual capacity.

#2- A USD 159 mn ro-ro terminal: The president also inaugurated the Suez Canal Automotive (SCAT) roll on, roll off (ro-ro) terminal, developed by a consortium of Bolloré-Toyota Tsusho-NYK. The USD 159 mn facility spans 212k sqm, features a 600-meter berth, and can handle 50k vehicles annually. The three players signed the final contract for the project back in 2019.

#3- A USD 65 mn multipurpose terminal: El Sisi also inaugurated a USD 65 mn multipurpose terminal set up by Sky Ports, a subsidiary of Sky Investments and Reliance Logistics. The 380-sqm terminal includes a 900-meter berth and has an annual handling capacity of 8.5 mn tons. The project has been on our radar since late 2022 when the two sides signed its contract.

East Port Said Port is now Africa’s top-ranked container port and the third globally on handling efficiency, according to the World Bank’s container port performance index, with SCZone head Walid Gamal El Din citing rising investor interest and infrastructure links connecting the east and west banks of the canal as the main drivers.

Agility opens new SAR 611 mn Jeddah Logistics Complex

Agility Logistics Parks, arm of ADX-listed Kuwaiti logistics giant Agility, inaugurated a SAR 611 mn logistics park in Jeddah, according to a press release. The facility includes six major class A warehouses — equipped to meet the technical needs for both dry and temperature-controlled storage solutions — and will serve as a storage and distribution hub for several sectors, including retail, consumer goods, automobiles, energy, and e-commerce.

Finally here: The project — announced back in 2022 — was scheduled to begin construction of its warehousing complex on a 576.7k sqm parcel south of Jeddah in 1Q 2023, to be delivered back in 1Q 2025. Agility has the right to operate the park for 25 years under the agreement with Saudi Arabia’s State Properties General Administration (SPGA).

Agility’s got lots of hands in the Kingdom: The firm kicked off plans for the SAR 250 mn (c. USD 66.5 mn) expansion project at the Agility Logistics Park in Riyadh late last year. The expansion adds 100k sqm of class A warehousing to the project, expanding its entire size to a little over 551k sqm.

That’s not all: Riyadh Development Company (Ardco) inked a SAR 227 mn strategic partnership with Agility Logistics Parks to develop a 97.9k sqm logistics park in Riyadh’s Al Remal District last December. Operations are set to kick off in 2H 2026.

Looking ahead, the company is exploring new logistics investments in Saudi Arabia after fully leasing its Jeddah warehouse park, which was pre-leased before completion, Chairman Tarek Sultan told Al Arabiya. The company is developing a nationwide logistics network across Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah, with seven new projects underway.

A heap of 3Q, 9M earnings from UAE’s logistics giants

AD PORTS GROUP-

AD Ports sees strongest income since IPO: UAE-based port operator AD Ports Group saw its net income rise 34% y-o-y to AED 596 mn in 3Q 2025 — a record high since its 2022 public listing — driven by high cargo volumes and container throughput, rising warehouse utilization rates, and a surge in new industrial land leases, according to an earnings release (pdf) published on Friday. The company’s top line surged 16% y-o-y to AED 5.39 bn for the same period, driven by improved activity in maritime and shipping, ports, and economic cities and freezones clusters.

3Q by the segment:

Maritime and shipping revenues rose 40% y-o-y in 3Q 2025 to AED 3 bn, remaining the single largest contributor to the company’s top line. This was in tandem with container feeder shipping volumes rising 31% y-o-y to 900k TEUs, while the bulk, multipurpose, and ro-ro shipping vessel fleet rose to 43;
The company’s ports recorded a top line surge of 18% y-o-y to AED 713 mn in 3Q 2025. General cargo volumes grew 12% y-o-y to 15.2 mn tons, while quarterly container throughput rose 20% y-o-y;
The logistics segment’s top line dropped 12% y-o-y to AED 1.1 bn in 3Q 2025, as market conditions weakened in the freight forwarding business, particularly in the Asia and Americas regions;
Revenues from the economic cities and freezones sector rose 17% y-o-y to AED 600 mn. The primary drivers of growth were revenues from Sdeira Group’s staff accommodation business and its warehouses.

In 9M terms: The company’s net income rose 17% y-o-y to AED 1.1 bn in 9M 2025, while its top line surged 16% y-o-y to around AED 14.8 bn for the same period.

Heading into 2026: AD Ports Group is anticipating a softening in container freight rates across its service network, while predicting that demand will remain strong in its operating regions. The container shipping market outlook for 2026 remains highly uncertain as opposing market forces with unpredictable outcomes are at play, including the Red Sea conflict, US tariffs and trade wars, new regulations, and incoming supply and demand shifts.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS-

Etihad Airways reported a 26% y-o-y increase in its net income to AED 1.7 bn (USD 463 mn) in 9M 2025, according to an earnings release published on Friday. The firm’s top line rose 18% y-o-y to AED 21.7 bn (USD 5.9 bn), driven by a robust performance across both passenger and cargo operations.

In cargo terms: Cargo revenues rose 8% to AED 3.2 bn (USD 875 mn) — attributable to enhanced capacity and increased volume. The carrier conveyed 509k tons of cargo, marking a 6% y-o-y increase.

Fleet updates: The airline’s operating fleet reached 115 aircraft — marking a 19% y-o-y increase from last year’s figures. Nearly half of the boost from came from 3Q deliveries — which included A321LRs, B787s, and A350s.

Right on cue? Etihad Airways was looking to onboard 18 new aircraft by year-end, aiming to grow its fleet to some 115-120 aircraft to accommodate 21.5 mn passengers — assuming there are no delays from the manufacturer.

A solid year for the carrier: The airline reported a 32% y-o-y increase in its net income to AED 1.1 bn (USD 306 mn) in 1H 2025, while its top line also rose 16% y-o-y to AED 13.5 bn due to strong performance across both passenger and cargo operations.

ABU DHABI AVIATION-

Abu Dhabi Aviation (Ada) reported a 24.1% y-o-y decrease in its net income to AED 698.5 mn in 9M 2025, according to an earnings release (pdf ). The firm’s top line rose by 9.2% y-o-y to AED 5.5 bn.

Behind the numbers: The firm’s reported net income came in lower than the prior year’s AED 920.6 mn, largely due to a one-off gain of AED 596.8 mn that trickled from a reverse acquisition in 2024. Adjusting for this transaction, Ada’s 9M bottom line increased 116% y-o-y.

Segment highlights: Ada’s cargo operations reported revenue of AED 168.9 mn for the same period, up more than 122% y-o-y. Meanwhile, the group’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul business division saw its bottom line surge 280.4% y-o-y to AED 511.2 mn, whereas its revenues were at AED 4.8 bn, up 4.4% y-o-y.

GULF NAVIGATION HOLDING-

GulfNav returned to black in 3Q: DFM-listed maritime player Gulf Navigation Holding (GulfNav) saw its net income reach AED 4.6 mn (c. USD 1.3 mn) in 3Q 2025 — reversing an AED 23.6 mn loss in 3Q 2024, according to an earnings release (pdf) published on Friday. The firm saw its top line increase 35% y-o-y to AED 81.6 mn for the same period, on the back of increased fleet utilization and improved activity in vessel chartering.

An upswing in 2025: GulfNav’s 2Q figures saw the company’s bottom line reach AED 7.4 mn (USD 2 mn) in 2Q 2025, reversing a AED 13.2 mn loss in 2Q 2024. Meanwhile, revenues for 2Q grew 110% y-o-y to hit AED 28.5 mn. In 1H terms, the firm posted a net income of AED 463k in the six-month period, also recovering from 2024’s loss in the same period.

ADNOC GAS-

Adnoc Gas reported net income of USD 1.3 bn in 3Q 2025, up 8% y-o-y, marking its highest 3Q earnings to date, according to its financials (pdf), management discussion and analysis report (pdf) published on Thursday, and a separate earnings release (pdf) published on Thursday. Revenues stood at USD 5.9 bn, down 6% y-o-y and almost flat q-o-q, while gas sales volumes rose 4% y-o-y.

Adnoc Gas’ record earnings came despite a 14% y-o-y decline in Brent crude prices during the period, CFO Peter Van Driel said during an earnings call. He attributed margin expansion largely to strong demand in the domestic UAE market, as well as contract renegotiations with major power customers seeking greater flexibility, allowing Adnoc Gas to capture incremental pricing gains.

On a 9M basis, net income rose 10% y-o-y to USD 4 bn. Revenues reached USD 18 bn, down 2% from the same period in 2024.

SALIK-

Dubai’s toll gate operator Salik reported a 34.5% y-o-y rise in net income to AED 372.9 mn in 3Q 2025, while revenues were up 36.9% y-o-y to AED 747.7 mn, according to its financials (pdf) released last week. Salik’s quarterly performance was supported by expanded infrastructure, with the addition of two new gates introduced in November 2024, along with the launch of variable pricing in January, continued tourism inflows, and a favorable macroeconomic environment sustaining higher traffic volumes across Dubai’s road network, according to a separate earnings release (pdf) published on Thursday.

The company’s net income rose 39.1% y-o-y in 9M 2025 to AED 1.1 bn, with revenues growing 38.6% y-o-y to AED 2.3 bn. The tolling business saw chargeable trips reach 470.5 mn in 9M, of which 152.2 mn were recorded during 3Q. Toll usage fees increased 41.5% y-o-y to AED 2 bn during 9M, and rose 39.9% y-o-y to AED 655.2 mn during 3Q.

Folk Maritime’s Poul Hestbaek unpacks growth plans for 2026 amid volatile global trade

Coffee with Folk Maritime CEO Poul Hestbaek: EnterpriseAM sat down with Poul Hestbaek (LinkedIn), CEO of Folk Maritime, on the sidelines of this year’s TransMea forum. As the young PIF-owned logistics outfit expands its regional presence through a regional shipping line and national feeder network, we talked to Poul about their ongoing projects in the Kingdom and how the firm is navigating geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainty.

EnterpriseAM: What are some milestones your company is striving towards over the coming year (2026)?

Poul Hestbaek (PH): Folk Maritime was founded to achieve three core pillars over the next three years.

The first pillar was to develop a comprehensive feeder network to connect all ports along the Red Sea, which we had just accomplished. Now, we’re focused on stabilizing this network and bringing the right capacity into core areas, like Jeddah and Dammam, aligning with the nation’s 2030 vision to turn these two areas into logistics hubs.

The second pillar is to build up our own regional shipping line operation, a process that we started at the end of last year. Our objective is to continue to grow this to become our main business by 2028, using our own vessels and containers. To achieve this, we first need to secure more ships. We are on a good path, but there is still a long way to go.

Under the third pillar, we want to be fully equipped to help secure the Kingdom’s supply chains in case of any security situation or disruptions, such as a future pandemic or the closure of key routes like the Red Sea or the Strait of Hormuz.

To achieve the last two pillars, the company must expand its owned fleet by acquiring its own ships and its own containers. The milestone associated with this pillar by 2028 is to have more than double the current fleet of five Saudi-flagged ships and to double the size of the container fleet.

Another important area we’re focused on — one I feel strongly about — is talent development. This will be key because container shipping was not a core industry in Saudi Arabia, and it's not easy to attract talent into an industry that not many know about.

That’s why we want to train a new generation of workers. We want to ignite their passion for logistics to become the new managers of the future, and I feel very strongly about this because the Kingdom is full of very well-educated and eager-to-learn young Saudi men and women.

EnterpriseAM: How is Folk Maritime approaching vessel acquisition, especially regarding new builds?

PH: There are three ways that you can acquire vessels: chartering, purchasing secondhand, or building new. We currently have five secondhand vessels in our fleet. Since building a new ship takes up to four years from the time of order, our current focus is more short-term, seeking solutions within the next one to three years, which new builds cannot address.

While we are currently focusing on the immediate needs, we are not ruling out options and are conducting preliminary studies for long-term projects. For example, we are looking at long-term options to align with the green agenda, as newer, more modern vessels offer the latest technology, maximizing fuel efficiency and minimizing carbon footprint.

EnterpriseAM: How do you expect the volatile global trade environment to impact the local logistics sector?

PH: We are seeing a shift where customers are demanding supply chain sustainability and requiring a Plan B or “backup offer,” a consideration often neglected by large global industries in the past. If you go back two or three years, none of the big guys considered a Plan B. You can see this when you look at the global auto industry. Building a car would need parts that come from 100 different locations, but big auto players never considered Plan B for their supplies, because at that time, there were no issues.

We are also starting to see more near-shoring and much more friend-shoring. Customers are prioritizing placing orders in locations that offer sufficient stability, at least towards them. There may be issues in another direction, or to another country, but at least they can be assured that they will get the products they want.

This effort to simplify supply chains is eventually creating more regional trade, which we view as positive. Folk Maritime hopes to gain a stronger foothold as more goods move internally within the region.

Furthermore, when the trade situation becomes “blurred,” customers increasingly demand assurance and visibility. To meet this demand, Folk Maritime is the only regional shipping line that places trackers on all our containers, providing unique visibility. Customers can monitor the exact location of their cargo on their phones — whether it is at a port or on a truck—using their mobile phones, allowing for better last-minute planning and cost saving.

EnterpriseAM: What are some exciting developments you see happening in the regional logistics sector, and how is your company capitalizing on these?

PH: We are excited about two main developments. First, we observe India increasingly becoming a regional powerhouse, producing sophisticated goods demanded across the Middle East, Africa, and East Africa. This is a positive near-shoring development, giving customers shorter lead times.

We are also excited by Saudi Arabia’s vision to develop a Red Sea logistics hub in Jeddah. Scheduled to be operational within five to six years, this taxfree zone is designed to bring customers from the Red Sea rim to store their cargo, perform value-added services, and ship products via various means (air, sea, pallet, box).

We believe this hub will democratize shipment by enabling smaller importers increased access to Saudi logistics markets. Right now if you’re sitting in Sudan, or you’re sitting in Ethiopia, only large-scale importers can feasibly bring in a full container of goods, whereas if you are a small importer with a unique idea, then booking a whole container isn’t an option. That said, developing a regional logistics zone – linking to the Red Sea periphery – will allow for shipments to be sliced up into smaller packages.

Ultimately, this increase in intra-regional trade also serves a geopolitical purpose, as “the more we trade together the less we fight,” helping make the Red Sea rim countries a safer place.

EnterpriseAM: What regulatory or policy shift would you like to see to support more growth in the region’s logistics sector?

PH: It’s important to increase microfinancing initiatives, as we are seeing a lot of innovative and idea-driven individuals who lack funding. Financing on a micro-level can help close that gap, catapulting growth in the region.

The government should also continue efforts to streamline regional supply chains. Having a logistics framework, including integrated customs and regulations, can streamline regional supply chains. It's not just a matter of whether the regulation has to change, but it's also the way that we approach regulation. That said, we need to make these systems more digital to encourage seamless trade.

AD Ports Group appoints Jochen Thewes as CEO of Logistics Cluster

AD Ports Group taps new CEO for logistics cluster: AD Ports Group has appointed Jochen Thewes (LinkedIn) as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the group’s logistics cluster, effective 1 December 2025, according to a press release published on Thursday.

The new hire: Thewes spent nearly a decade as CEO and management board chairman of DB Schenker, a global logistics and supply-chain company based in Germany. He also spent over a decade at Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world’s largest logistics and freight-forwarding companies.

GE Aerospace to plug USD 50 mn in UAE MRO plant

AVIATION-

GE Aerospace to expand its MRO operations in UAE: US-based General Electric’s aircraft engine arm GE Aerospace is set to funnel USD 50 mn into developing a new state-of-the-art on-wing support (OWS) facility in Dubai South’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, Aviation Business reported. Construction on the project is scheduled to launch next month, with works to be completed by 1Q 2027.

On the cards: The new 120k sq ft facility is slated to address the growing demand for LEAP engine services in the UAE, according to Assembly, Test and MRO VP Farah Borges. It will quadruple the size of the firm’s current Dubai-based support site, allowing the firm to scale-up its MRO capabilities as well as support the future servicing of the awaited GE9X engine, Borges added.

DATA POINT- Nearly 35% of all LEAP engine overhaul visits are currently overseen by GE’s global distribution network.

More services for CFM LEAP engines: The investment targets expanding services covering the CFM Leap engines — a registered trademark engine owned by a 50-50 JV between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Over 750 of these engines are used by more than 20 airlines in the Middle East, Turkey, and a number of countries in the Eurasia region.

We first heard of the firm’s plans to boost its regional presence early last year, when the firm announced it would plug USD 10 mn into its two MRO facilities in the UAE and Qatar in a bid to increase operational efficiency and reduce turnaround time.

TRADE-

Libya’s Zallaf for Oil and Gas kicks off Chadar field exports: Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) subsidiary Zallaf for Oil and Gas has exported its first shipment from the Chadar oil field in the Sirte Basin, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a statement by the company. The shipment — whose destination was not disclosed — comprises upwards of 600k bbl of Sidra crude.

Blackstone-backed data center player eyes India

Australia-based hyperscale data center operator AirTrunk — owned by US investment firm Blackstone — plans to build its next data center in India, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. The project is already “pretty advanced,” and comes amid rising AI-driven computing demand across the region, making India an attractive expansion market, AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda said.

REMEMBER- AirTrunk, which is eyed for an acquisition by a consortium including MGX and Saudi Arabia’s Humain (also backed by Blackstone), has announced a USD 3 bn data center project in the Kingdom, marking AirTrunk’s regional debut.

CMA CGM buys into landmark German terminal: French shipping firm CMA CGM has inked an agreement to acquire a 20% stake in Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg, according to a statement published last week. The move dovetails with port operator Eurogate’s aim to enact major expansions at the German port, targeting growth of up to 6 mn TEUs, the statement said.

On the port: The port handles 4 mn TEUs annually, Splash247 reported last week. A planned Western Expansion will add 38 hectares of yard space and some 1k meters of quay wall — preparing the port to handle next-generation container vessels.

The US bags loads of trade agreements: The US secured trade frameworks with Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Ecuador, as well as a dual agreement with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Semafor reported on Friday. Under the agreements, tariffs on Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina will go down to a 10% rate, while tariffs on Ecuador, Switzerland (which committed to invest USD 200 bn in the US in the next three years), and Liechtenstein are going to stand at 15%.

Exemptions, too: President Donald Trump exempted agricultural imports like coffee, cocoa, tea, beans, and some beef products from tariffs, in a bid to soften the political blowback resulting from higher prices in store shelves, CNBC reported last weekend.

Calendar

NOVEMBER

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

DECEMBER

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

9-10 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Rail Industry Summit, El Jadida, Morocco.

16-17 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Saudi Airport Exhibition, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

JANUARY 2026

19-23 January (Monday-Friday): World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos, Switzerland.

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

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

FEBRUARY 2026

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

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

15-17 February (Sunday-Tuesday): World Advanced Manufacturing Logistics Summit and Expo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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

MARCH 2026

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

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