Sign in
TRANSPORT-
HummingbirdEV to set up shop in the UAE: California-based green transport company HummingbirdEV is partnering with IBMC Group to set up a microfactory in the UAE to produce zero-emission commercial vehicles to serve MENA, Southeast Asia, and India, according to a statement. No investment value or timeline for operation were disclosed. The UAE factory will cater to the growing demand for mid-mile and last-mile vehicle applications, including refrigerated trucks, the statement notes.
The UAE has been shifting to eco-friendly transport in a bid to break away from fossil fuel dependency, Wam quoted Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei as saying back in December. The UAE plans to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles to some 50% of total vehicles on its roads by 2050, which will involve expanding EV infrastructure, Al Mazrouei added.
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
Abandoned vessels increased 11% y-o-y in 2023 with 132 cases logged last year, according to an International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) press release. Upwards of 1.6k seafarers contacted the ITF from abandoned vessels, with Indian seafarers accounting for 400 cases. Seafarers are considered abandoned if shipowners do not meet the costs for their repatriation, leave them without funds for maintenance, or otherwise severs ties with them and does not pay them wages for 2 months or more, the report notes, citing the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Owed payments to seafarers on the 129 vessels ITF reported amounted to USD 12.1 mn, the report added.
