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ZONES-
AD Ports + USPACE to develop 3 mn sqm space hub in Kezad:AD Ports’ Khalifa Economic Zones (Kezad Group) has inked a non-binding term sheet with Hong-Kong based aerospace enterprise USPACE Technology Group to explore the development of a space eco city hub in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement released last week. Under the agreement, AD Ports will provide USPACE some 3 mn sqm in Kezad for the project, with its first phase expected to cover 1 mn sqm. Construction is expected to kick off in mid-2024, the statement notes. The hub aims to bring together some 1k aerospace companies to jointly develop a global aerospace ecological chain of technology innovation and provide commercial aerospace services from the Abu Dhabi base.
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
QatarEnergy and Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua have signed a USD 2.4 bn agreement for the construction of eight Q-Max LNG carriers, each with a carrying capacity of 271k cubic meters, Offshore Energy reported on Friday, citing broker reports. The vessels — which are set to be delivered in 2028 and 2029 — will be the largest of their kind in terms of capacity.
QatarEnergy has been on a vessel acquisition spree: September 2023 saw the company ink a USD 3.9 bn agreement with South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for 17 “ultra-modern” LNG carriers as the outfit kicked off the second phase of its vessel acquisition program.
WEC Lines launches service between Morocco and UK: Dutch shipping operator WEC Lines has launched a direct service between Agadir Port in Morocco and Peel Port, Liverpool, according to a statement released last week. The move aims to establish a more efficient service for fresh produce and increase service sustainability by relying less on trucking routes. The service will operate using WEC’s 850 to 1k TEU vessel fleet. WEC will support the new route by adding around 50 additional refrigerated units to its existing stock and plans to expand the number of units further. Some of these vessels are already being used to ship refrigerated goods from the UK to the Canary Islands, and will expand their route via Agadir, with an option to load produce in Spain and Portugal, before returning to the UK.
TRANSPORT-
ZIM to implement smart tracking solutions across its dry-van fleet: Israeli shipping company ZIM is deploying tracking devices by systems specialist Hoopo Systems across its dry van container fleet, according to a statement released last week. Hoopo’s devices provide comprehensive tracking information that includes geofence alerts and open/close door notifications. “Our unwavering mission has been to engineer a tracking solution for the maritime industry that delivers the most reliable data and boasts an extended lifespan to equal a container lifetime,” Hoopo CEO Ittay Hayut said in the statement.
AVIATION-
Airbus slashes massive Iran Air order from its backlog: European aircraft maker Airbus has omitted from its order backlog an Iran Air order, made in 2016, for almost 100 aircraft, Flight Global reported, citing Airbus 2023 year-end backlog numbers on Thursday. The order was placed after an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program with the Obama administration saw US sanctions on the country eased, with the order consisting of various aircraft types with cargo and passenger capacity. Only 3 aircraft were delivered however, as the Trump administration canceled previous arrangements with Iran and re-imposed sanctions, blocking Airbus’ sales to the country.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- NIDLP + Newlab plan KSA expansion: KSA’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program has inked an agreement with technology, innovation, and sustainable logistics solutions developer Newlab for the latter to establish a regional headquarters in KSA. (SPA)
- Alexandria Port to receive its largest ship yet: Alexandria Port will receive at Tahya Misr Station the largest container ship in its history, NEVADA CMA, which has a capacity of 140k tons and 12.9k TEU. The vessel has a length of 366 m, a width of 48 m, and a draft of up to 15 m (Statement)
- Suez Canal inks waste management contract: Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority subsidiary Antipollution Egypt has signed a contract with the Red Sea Ports Authority and Transport Ministry affiliate Egyptian Marine Supply and Contracting Co. to conduct waste management services in the Suez Canal zone. (Statement)
- Jazeera office opens in KSA: Kuwaiti budget airline Jazeera Airways has launched a new sales office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Statement)
