Good morning, nice people. We have a compact issue this morning with regional updates and beyond, with news emerging from the London Heathrow stake sale and all the latest on Red Sea happenings. Let’s dive right in.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Morocco and the World Bank will explore the feasibility of building green hydrogen storage, ship refueling, and export-dedicated facilities across four ports, Asharq Business reported, citing Moroccan Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water Minister Nizar Baraka. Details on a targeted timeline on completion were not disclosed.

What we know: The Jorf Lasfar, Mohammedia, Tanger-Med, and Tan-Tan ports are under consideration within the feasibility study. The study is primarily aimed at assessing the technical and economic potential for green fuel production at Moroccan ports in a bid to help decarbonize the shipping sector, which accounts for 2.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

REMEMBER- Morocco is looking to establish green corridors with the EU: Earlier this month Italy approved financing of a study on a planned green hydrogen corridor extending from Morocco, to the port of Trieste in Italy, and then extending to Central and Eastern Europe.

Earlier in June, Italy and Morocco said they are partnering together with Spain on a green fuels transport corridor which is planned to go through the entire EU region. Last year, the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative submitted an updated version of its vision for the infrastructure map where hydrogen is set to be transported on the project.

#2- Egypt plans to double the capacity of its Cairo International Airport:The new terminal that the government plans to add at Cairo International Airport will accommodate an additional 30 mn passengers per year, according to a statement. The airport hosted 26 mn passengers and received 198k flights last year, according to Aviation Ministry data cited by Ahram Online. Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly also highlighted the need to turn to private sector companies to operate and manage airports in a bid to improve services and boost revenues, the cabinet statement added.

ICYMI: Cairo International Airport Company in August signed MoUs with infrastructure consulting firm Aecom and tech security company Pangiam to work on the construction of a fourth terminal and upgrade the airport’s digital systems, while also closing consultancy agreements with Singapore’s Changi Airport to improve services and conduct feasibility studies for the design, operation, management, and marketing of Cargo City, a new area at the airport designated for cargo and logistics development. Some EGP 28 bn worth of investments have been poured into the airports between 2014-2023, the cabinet statement said.

#3-Iraq will tap the foreign operator of Faw Port in 1Q 2024, Reuters reports, citing comments made by Transport Ministry spokesman Maytham Al-Safi to Aliqtsad News agency. The USD 2.7 bn port is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and is slated to be an “international container port” to link East, West, and South, Safi said. Iraq also recently upgraded the port with five new berths for unloading 1.8k meter long ships and will establish a container yard in tandem to hold 2 mn containers annually.

#3- CMA CGM revises BAF prices: French shipping company CMA CGM revised its North Africa to Europe Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) prices to account for the latest surcharge adjustment, according to a statement. CMA CGM ’s Intra Europe Roro South service, which connects Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco with France, will be impacted effective 1 February 2024. Full cargo roll will see BAF prices of EUR 1.13k per unit for Alergia services, EUR 477 for Tunisia, and EUR 615 for Morocco. Empty cargo roll services will see BAF prices of EUR 717 per unit for Alergia, EUR 317 for Tunisia, and EUR 406 for Morocco. Other cargo classifications affected by the BAF are breakbulk, pass cars, and minivans.

#4- Iran + Pakistan meet to streamline transport: Head of Industry, Mine, and Trade Department of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province Iraj Hassanpour is currently meeting with a Pakistani delegation in Chabahar to discuss facilitating transport and customs procedures between the two nations, Mehr News Agency reports. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Chief of Balochistan’s Customs Office Abdul Qadir Memon. The meetings will also cover efforts by the sides to lower cargo transit and transportation costs for businesses.

#5- DP World eyes Ecuador expansion: DP World’s CEO Ahmed bin Suleyman met with Ecuadorian Trade Minister Sonsoles García to discuss expanding the company’s USD 1.2 bn investment ticket in Ecuador — currently the biggest investment in the country, according to a statement.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UAE will host Transport Middle East from Tuesday, 23 January through to Thursday, 25 January in Abu Dhabi. The event will see more than 30 speakers come together to tackle the current challenges in global transportation and logistics.

The UAE will host the Middle East Bunkering Convention from Monday, 5 February through to Wednesday, 7 February in Dubai. The event will bring together industry experts to tap into issues affecting the global marine fuel sector, including supply chains, decarbonization, and new fuels.

The UAE will host Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA from Monday, 12 February through to Wednesday, 14 February in Dubai. The event will see 80 expert speakers and upwards of 200 high level attendants and will handle topics pertaining to regulation, financing, and investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in MENA.

The UAE will host the Future Warehouse & Logistics 2024 Conference from Monday, 12 February to Wednesday, 14 February in Dubai. The event will handle means for supply chain leaders to boost resilience and overcome challenges, with discussions on disruptions, sustainability, Internet of Things (IoT), automation, workplace management and other topics.

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

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