Logistics Outlook for global trade remains uncertain, says DP World boss The chairman and CEO of DP World said on Tuesday that the outlook for global trade remains uncertain as the port operator posted a small increase in container volumes. Growth in the third quarter of 2022 was primarily driven by a solid performance across the company’s Asia Pacific, Americas and Australia terminal. Its flagship port […] October 25, 2022
Aviation Qatar Airways wins UK court battle with aircraft seat maker A British court has ruled in favour of Qatar Airways in a dispute between the Gulf carrier and an Italian aircraft seat manufacturer. Sezze-based Optimares had sued Qatar Airways after the airline terminated a contract to buy made-to-order business and economy class seats for some of the Doha-based airline’s Boeing and Airbus aircraft. But a […] October 25, 2022
Logistics Saudi Arabia eyes $10bn in supply chain investment Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on Sunday launched an initiative to attract investments in supply chains to and from the kingdom, with an aim of raising an initial SAR 40 billion ($10.64 billion). The initiative by Prince Mohammed bin Salman will include allocating about SAR 10 billion in incentives for supply chain investors, state news agency […] October 24, 2022
Aviation Etihad names new CEO as airline confirms Tony Douglas exit Etihad Aviation Group named Antonoaldo Neves its new CEO today after confirming the departure of Tony Douglas, who is understood to be taking the helm at a new airline in Saudi Arabia. Neves was announced as group CEO while Douglas will serve during his transition period as an advisor to the board of ADQ Aviation […] October 19, 2022
Logistics Aramex makes largest ever acquisition in $265m US deal Aramex has completed the acquisition of Access USA Shipping, a platform that enables cross-border e-commerce, for $265 million. The transaction marks the logistics company’s largest acquisition to date, it said in a filing on Dubai Financial Market. Aramex said Access USA Shipping, which is better known as MyUS, will be integrated into their business, operating […] October 19, 2022
Transport UK firm in talks in Dubai to launch high-speed, electric ferries Belfast-based Artemis Technologies is in talks to with Dubai authorities to launch its electric, high-speed passenger ferries in the emirate, part of the UAE government’s AED600 billion ($163bn) Net Zero 2050 Strategy. The Northern Irish company’s marine vehicles, which are 24 metres in length and accommodate up to 150 passengers, can achieve a top speed […] October 16, 2022
Transport Etihad Rail finishes laying tracks in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national rail network, has completed the tracklaying works of the main line in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, according to WAM, the UAE state-owned news agency. The work is part of the last package of stage two of the project. The main line extends from Ghuweifat, […] October 13, 2022
Transport Mexican used-car startup to invest $130m expanding to the Gulf Mexican online used-car dealership Kavak has expanded to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Saudi Arabia, boosting its presence in emerging-market countries, the firm’s chief executive, Carlos Garcia, told Reuters on Tuesday. Kavak plans to invest $130 million over the next two years in the three Middle-Eastern countries, which are set to represent seven […] October 13, 2022
Analysis Aviation Flight bookings soar as Gulf benefits from Qatar 2022 fever Flight bookings to Qatar from the UAE and 31 countries competing in the FIFA World Cup are currently 10 times the volume of pre-pandemic levels, according to new data. The latest analysis by UK-based ForwardKeys shows that the UAE will perform most strongly during the Qatar 2022 World Cup period in November and December, where […] October 11, 2022
Aviation Irish firm bags $266m operations contract for Saudi Red Sea airport The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has appointed Dublin-based daa International as the operator of Red Sea International, which will be the region’s first carbon-neutral airport. The developer of mega projects – Red Sea Project and Amaala – signed a SAR 1 billion ($266 million) deal with the Irish company for operations and general maintenance […] October 11, 2022
Saudi Arabia signs deals worth $171m to expand Jeddah port Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed two contracts worth 642 million riyals ($171 million) with major contractors to deepen berths and build new ones at Jeddah Islamic Port, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency. The contract with Modern Building Leaders, in association with Huta Hegerfeld Saudia, will deepen harbour approach channels, turning basins, waterways […] October 10, 2022
Transport Qatar gives new electric buses demo run before World Cup Qatar’s public transport provider Mowasalat (Karwa) added 90 new electric buses to its fleet this month. There are also plans to make all Karwa taxis around Doha fully electric as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions to meet Qatar’s Vision 2030 goals. Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Qatar Rail, […] October 5, 2022
Tourism Sales of one-way tickets to Dubai double as Russians flee call-up The number of Russians booking one-way tickets to Dubai doubled in a week after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation to fight in Ukraine, flight data has revealed. Putin’s television address on September 21 prompted a spike in demand and web searches for flights out of the country. Travel analytics firm ForwardKeys has found […] October 4, 2022
Oman signs pact with Hutchison to develop and manage Khasab port Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology signed a framework agreement with global container terminal company Hutchison Ports Sohar to develop, manage and operate Khasab port, Times of Oman reported. The company started managing and operating the port on October 1. The agreement entails studies for developing the port’s infrastructure and expansion. The preliminary […] October 3, 2022
Analysis Aviation Gulf carriers set to benefit from ‘reordering’ of aviation industry Gulf carriers are likely to strike up new partnerships with foreign airlines as the war in Ukraine and the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic threatens to reorder the global aviation scene. The reshaping of the airline industry as a result of pandemic-induced change is opening up new, and more competitive avenues for global airlines […] September 28, 2022
Jordan’s ADC signs $242m pact for logistics hub Jordan’s Aqaba Development Company (ADC) and APM Terminals (APMT), a global terminal operator, signed a $242 million memorandum of understanding to develop a regional logistics hub in Aqaba, Jordan News Agency reported. ADC chief executive Hussein Safadi said that the agreement will prepare Aqaba to handle the anticipated maritime trade and shipping increase. A training […] September 28, 2022
Aviation UAE’s budget carrier Air Arabia to launch new airline in Sudan Sharjah-based Air Arabia will launch a new venture, Air Arabia Sudan, in partnership with DAL Group, the budget airline said in a statement on Friday. Khartoum-based Air Arabia Sudan will operate a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, pending regulatory approval. The statement did not provide any details on routes, schedules or fleet size but said […] September 23, 2022
Aviation Russian flight prices to Dubai soar as Putin orders army call-up One-way ticket prices to Dubai from Russia have skyrocketed after President Vladimir Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists. Flights to Dubai cost more than 300,000 roubles ($5,000), nearly five times the average monthly wage, Reuters reported. Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul, Turkey and Yerevan, Armenia, which allow visa-free entry, were sold out […] September 22, 2022
Transport France’s Alstom signs Saudi deal for hydrogen-powered trains State-owned Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has signed a memorandum of understanding with France’s Alstom to develop hydrogen trains for the kingdom. Saudi Arabia in investing heavily to expand its public rail and metro networks and will build 8,000 kilometres of new track, officials said in January. SAR operates the Haramain High Speed Rail between Mecca […] September 22, 2022
Dubai warehousing costs rise to among the highest in the world Warehousing costs in Dubai rose by 7.7 percent in the 12 months to June 2022, making it one of the most premium warehousing markets in the world. Across 52 global markets monitored by Savills for its 2022 Impacts programme, Dubai was ranked fourth due to strong demand and lack of Grade A stock, leading to occupancy […] September 22, 2022
Aviation Qatar Airways says not increasing flight prices due to World Cup Qatar Airways is not taking advantage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 to increase flight ticket prices and has capped the price of shuttle flights from GCC states, Reuters reported, citing group chief executive Akbar Al Baker. However, ticket prices will remain high due to lack of capacity as airline manufacturers face challenges delivering aircraft […] September 22, 2022
Exclusive Aviation Private jets face backlog during World Cup Qatar authorities are putting restrictions in place to manage the expected surge in demand for landing slots from private jets flying to Doha for the World Cup. Operators have warned that wealthy football fans will need to be flexible with their plans, especially around the later stages of the tournament which takes place from November […] September 19, 2022
