LOGISTICS-

#1- AD Ports taps China’s Yantai to streamline vehicle trade: Abu Dhabi ports operator AD Ports Group plans to develop green automotive business parks as part of an agreement with China’s state-owned port operator SPG Yantai Port that aims to create a terminal and auto hub network between the UAE and China, according to a statement. The agreement would link AD Ports Group’s automotive terminals and hubs within the UAE with Yantai’s Asia-Pacific Green Automotive Circular Economy Industrial Park.

The rationale: The partnership aims to increase vehicle trade between Asia and the Middle East. The move seeks to establish an efficient supply chain for both new and second-hand vehicles between the two countries.

#2- Masdar + Etihad Rail partner on decarbonized transport solutions: Renewables giant Masdar and UAE’s national railway operator Etihad Rail inked an MoU to develop transport and logistics solutions for the green hydrogen value chain across the UAE, state news agency Wam reports. Under the agreement, the two entities will look into transport feedstocks, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel using Etihad Rail’s network.

#3- Hafeet Rail to link Al Ain Airport with Oman: Abu Dhabi Airports signed an agreement with UAE-Oman joint venture Hafeet Rail to establish a corridor connecting Al Ain International Airport with Sohar in Oman for both passenger and cargo traffic, according to a press release.

ICMYI- Hafeet Rail is a USD 2.5 bn joint project between the UAE and Oman aimed at boosting bilateral trade. It is backed by Mubadala, Etihad Rail, and Oman’s Asyad Group, and inked agreements earlier this year on railway maintenance facilities and the cross-border transportation of raw materials.

#4- Etihad Rail, Turkmenistan ink MoU to boost railway cooperation: Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Turkmenistan’s Railway Transport Ministry to boost cooperation in railway transport, Wam reports. The MoU, inked on the sidelines of Global Rail last week, will see both sides collaborate on testing new technologies for the rail sector, as well as conducting feasibility studies.

EVs-

#1-Dewa, Parkin to expand EV charging network: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) signed a strategic contract with Dubai’s public parking operator Parkin to upgrade and expand the city’s public EV charging network, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The first phase will add 100 chargers across residential areas, malls, leisure destinations, and public spaces, with a broader rollout to follow. Dewa also recently partnered with Dubai Taxi Company on ultra-fast charging stations.

ICYMI- The move comes amid a wider EV charging drive, with Dewa and Dubai Taxi recently inking an agreement to install 208 ultra-fast charging points under Dewa’s EV Green Charger program, and Parkin partnering with e&’s charge&go to install 200 ultra-fast DC charging stations set to go live this month. BYD also plans to build hundreds of 1 MW fast chargers in the UAE, while UAEV aims to deploy 10k chargers nationwide by 2030.

#2- Al Sayegh, Triton EV to build electric truck plant in Abu Dhabi: UAE-based conglomerate Al Sayegh Group signed an agreement with US manufacturer Triton EV to establish an electric truck plant in Abu Dhabi, according to an Abu Dhabi Chamber statement. The facility will act as a regional hub for the GCC and African markets and support Abu Dhabi’s push into sustainable mobility and advanced manufacturing.

M&A-

ADX-listed Eshraq Investments has signed a conditional agreement to acquire a special purpose vehicle by terminal operator TIL Group, Shine SPV 1 Limited, marking a move to diversify its portfolio into the maritime and industrial sectors, it said in a statement (pdf). The transaction remains subject to regulatory and third-party approvals. Shine’s subsidiaries are engaged in offshore support vessel operations, shipbuilding and maintenance, and crane operations across the UAE.

TRADE-

DP World + PayPal partner on cross-border payments: Dubai-based port operator DP World signed an MoU with global payments platform PayPal to roll out a digital payments initiative that will streamline and accelerate international trade transactions, according to a statement. The platform will enable faster cross-border settlements — in minutes rather than up to a week — for global merchants, shippers, and exporters.

REMEMBER- PayPal plans to invest USD 100 mn across the Middle East and Africa, targeting fintech, e-commerce, and logistics ventures in high-growth markets. The firm opened its first regional hub in Dubai in April to expand cross-border payment capabilities.

PAYMENTS-

Emirates NBD Securities opens trading across all GCC markets: Emirates NBD’s brokerage arm, Emirates NBD Securities, is allowing investors direct access to trade across all major GCC financial markets through one account, according to a press release. Trading services will now also cover Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain — adding to its existing access to the DFM, ADX, and Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul.

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