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AVIATION-
Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority has inked an agreement with German company Leonardoto carry out three projects at Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait News Agency reports. The projects, with a combined cost of USD 26 mn, involve providing training, warranty, maintenance, and technical support services at the airport. The projects also include supplying the airport with a weather data system to boost air navigation safety.
X2E is diversifying its fuel value chain: Omani-British green energy venture X2E is set to invest USD 1.6 bn into alternative fuel projects over the next two years, Founder and CEO John Jones told Zawya Projects in an interview last week. The company plans to initiate projects for the production of biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and Camelina oil.
What is Camelina oil? A newcomer to the alternative fuel scene, camelina oil is now being considered for use in biodiesel and jet fuel production after studies found it releases fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than other feedstock crops. The oil produces 40% to 60% less emissions than petroleum diesel and the plant has a relatively short growing season and a higher tolerance to cold, arid conditions.
DATA CENTERS-
MIS to increase capacity of two data centers in Dammam for SAR 155.4 bn: Saudi IT integrator Al Moammar Information Systems (MIS) has signed an agreement with financial service provider Saudi Fransi Capital to increase the capacity of two of its data centers in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for SAR 155.4 bn, according to a disclosure statement on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) yesterday. MIS will develop, design, and manage facilities for some six data centers on behalf of the Kingdoms Private Investment Fund (PIF), according to the statement.
Khazna launches 31.8 MW data center in Abu Dhabi: Khazna Data Centers has inaugurated a data center for AI development in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, featuring an IT load capacity of 31.8 MW, according to a company statement.
Etisalat& + Telecom Egypt + Telin to connect region with Intra Asia + India: Carrier services Telecom Egypt, Telin Indonesia, Etisalat&, and an unnamed Indian operator have signed an MoU to form a consortium to implement the ICE IV Project to develop a data center to data center system connecting the Middle East, Intra Asia, and India, according to a press release on Wednesday. The group will deploy open cables and subsea ROADMs to link Oman, Egypt, the UAE, India, Singapore, and Indonesia over 11k km.
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
QatarEnergy has tapped Qatar’s shipping and maritime companyNakilat to own and operate up to 25 conventional LNG vessels, according to a statement. Nakilat will assume the ownership and operation of the ships through Time Charter Parties (TCP) with Qatar Energy affiliates. This marks the first award in the second phase of QatarEnergy’s LNG Fleet Expansion Project as part of a plan to expand its fleet to 100 vessels, CEO of QatarEnergy Sherida Al-Kaabi said in the statement.
E-COMMERCE-
Emirates Post + Qatar Post ink e-commerce agreement: Emirates Post and Qatar Post have entered into a strategic partnership to streamline e-commerce shipping operations between the UAE and Qatar, according to a statement released on Thursday. Goods purchased online in the UAE will be delivered to Qatar through Qatar Post’s CONNECTED platform. Emirates Post will be in charge of handling shipping to Qatar, while Qatar Post will manage customs clearance and local delivery.
SUPPLY CHAINS-
Nigeria is eyeing an alternative gas route to Europe via a pipeline to Morocco amid diplomatic tensions with Niger, S&P Global reports. The proposed 5.6 km pipeline would deliver 3 bn cubic feet per day of natural gas, and would serve to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. Nigeria had previously planned on the USD 13 bn Trans-Saharan gas pipeline passing through Niger to Algeria, but the future of the project is now uncertain amid heightened diplomatic tensions following the 2023 coup in Niger. Nigerian Gas Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo met with Moroccan Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Minister Leila Benali on 24 January where they discussed the pipeline project.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- Morocco’s electric trains are now renewables powered: Morocco’s National Railway Office is currently powering 90% of its electric train fleet on renewables — up from 25% in 2022. The office is targeting full carbon-neutrality by 2035. (MAP)
- Haditha-Baiji-Baghdad railway line reopened: Iraq’s Transport Ministry has restoredfunctionality to the Haditha-Baiji-Baghdad freight railway line. (Statement)
- Qatar Airways launches flights to Uzbekistan:Qatar Airways will launch four weekly flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan starting 2 June 2024, and will increase the frequency of its flights from Doha to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport to four times a day starting 1 June, bringing its weekly flights to 28. (Statement | Aviation24)
- Kenya Airways launches Somalia-UAE cargo route: Kenya Airways has begun operating weekly direct cargo flights between Mogadishu, Somalia and Sharjah, UAE. The airline plans to increase the flights to twice a week starting April. (Press release)
- Bahrain considering 24-hour port operations: Bahrain’s Transport and Communications Ministry is considering launching 24-hour container handling operations at Khalifa bin Salman Port. (Alayam)
