Good morning, friends. We have a compact issue this morning with airport privatization updates from Egypt along with project updates from UAE and the latest on Morocco’s rail upgrades. First, an update on Boeing production hub strike…

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY ABROAD- Votes are in: Boeing factory workers cast their votes yesterday on a new contract proposal that could end a crippling strike lasting over five weeks, with the results expected as we head to dispatch. The sentiment gathered around the voting stations have cast doubt on whether Boeing’s proposal will drum up enough momentum to pass, with a 50%-plus-one majority needed to decide the result. Boeing’s offer includes a 35% pay hike over four years, a one-time USD 7k ratification bonus, a reinstated incentive plan, and enhanced contributions to workers’ retirement plans. The offer still falls short of the union’s targeted 40% pay bump and does not include the reinstitution of defined benefit pensions.

ICYMI- The strike is taking place at Boeing’s 737 Max Jets production hub, worsening the company’s already existing supply chain issues and delivery delays. Purchase orders for the company’s 737, 767 and 777 jets have been halted to preserve the company’s credit rating.

Boeing expects to burn cash in 2025 on the back of a 3Q loss of USD 6 bn due to the strike, with CEO Kelly Orthberg calling for a “fundamental culture change” after the company on an earnings call. “We need to prevent the festering of issues and work better together to identify, fix and understand root cause(s),” Ortberg said. “I’ve already introduced a much more detailed business cadence to drive this across the organization and this process of change is underway,” he added. The aviation giant incurred nearly USD 8 bn in losses this year, primarily due to the strike that disrupted production of its 737 MAX, 777, and 767 aircraft, along with challenges in its defense and space division impacting its operations.

Both stories grabbed a lot on ink in the int’l press: Reuters | AP | Bloomberg | Financial Times | Wall Street Journal | The New York Times | Washington Post | CNN | BBC

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- A new freezone for Egyptian citrus exports: Egypt’s Cabinet has approved a draft law for the Ghars Citrus Concentrates Company to establish a private freezone in an existing industrial zone south of Port Said, according to a statement. Egypt’s General Authority for Freezones and Investments (GAFI) will oversee the development of the project. The 10k sqm project is forecasted to cost some USD 10 mn and produce citrus concentrates for export.

#2- Sovcomflot denies Dubai LNG ships are part of shadow fleet: Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot PJSC — the owner of three LNG tankers transferred to Dubai-based company Matias Ship Management last month — said the vessels are not part of a shadow fleet, Bloomberg reports.

More on Matias Ship Management: Matias was established one month before the three ships — the Velikiy Novgorod, Pskov, and La Perouse — had aspects of their management shifted to the new company registered at a shared office space in the Meydan Hotel, Bloomberg writes, citing shipping database Equasis. Sovcomflot said that Matias is just offering technical management services, a “common industry practice utilized by all shipowners.” The Russian company refused to comment on whether it owns Matias, saying it is operating within all applicable laws.

REMEMBER- The US imposed sanctions on Sovcomflot in April for G7 “price cap violations in addition to deceptive activity.” Tankers routinely change their names after being sanctioned in order to separate themselves from listings on databases.

#3- Russian strikes in Ukraine are disrupting global grain supplies: Russia’s increased attacks on Black Sea ports in Ukraine are preventing grain supplies from reaching several destinations in the Global South including MENA, Reuters reports, citing a statement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. At least four merchant vessels were struck by Russia between 5-14 October and delayed a ship carrying vegetable oil to the World Food Program in Palestine, the statement notes. Vessels carrying corn to Egypt were also reportedly delayed.

#4- LNG freight rates have dropped to a multi-year low amid subdued demand and high supply in the week ending on 18 October, S&P Global reports. The lack of arbitrage avenues has resulted in unsupported rates, while significantly higher temperatures than in previous years worsen the scenario. This has caused a bleak market outlook. The Atlantic Basin saw TFDE shipping rates fall to USD 18.5k a day, while in the Pacific Basin rates slipped to USD 29k a day, with both rates down from USD 130k a day over the same period last year.

MARKET WATCH-

#1- Oil prices creeped up in early morning trading on the back of an unexpected rise in US crude inventories, Reuters reports. Brent crude futures gained USD 0.44 to USD 75.40 a barrel by 00.03 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose USD 0.45 to USD 71.22 a barrel. The gains recouped some of losses exceeding 1% in the previous session.

#2- Baltic index continues its decline: The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index — which tracks rates for the capesize, panamax, and supramax vessel segments — dropped 35 points to 1,445 points on Wednesday, registering at its lowest reading since early February. The capesize index fell 87 points to 1,921 points, while the panamax index lost another 22 points to 1,238 points. The smaller supramax was unchanged at 1,249 points.

PSA-

Oman completes Al-Khabourah Road: Oman’s Transport, Communication, and Information Technology Ministry has opened the last 5.2 km long section of Al-Khabourah Road, according to a post on Facebook. The full 14.5 km long path starts at Al Batinah Expressway intersection and ends at Al-Khaboura roundabout on the Al Batinah main road.

***YOU’RE READING EnterpriseAM Logistics, the essential MENA publication for senior execs who care about the industry that connects producers and retailers to global markets. We’re out Monday through Thursday by 9:15am in Cairo and Riyadh and 11:15am in the UAE.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The International Conference on Tourism, Transport, and Logistics (ICTTL – 2024) is being held on Saturday, 26 October and Sunday, 27 October in Dubai. The conference will bring together experts, present ongoing research activities, and discuss future projects and partnerships.

The UAE will host the International Conference on Tourism, Transport, and Logistics on Saturday, 26 October and Sunday, 27 October in Dubai. The event will gather scientists, scholars, and engineers from around the world to discuss new ideas and research development projects in the industry.

Saudi Arabia will host the Saudi Airport Exhibition on Monday, 11 November and Tuesday, 12 November in Riyadh. The two-day exhibition will bring together global industry leaders to discuss the latest technologies around the world in the aviation industry. It looks to encourage discussion between Saudi aviation leaders and the global supply chain industry.

The UAE will host the ADIPEC Maritime and Logistics Exhibition and Conference on Monday, 11 November and Thursday, 14 November in Abu Dhabi. The event looks to explore ways to reduce emissions through innovative solutions. It will bring together industry leaders, regulators and decision makers in the global maritime and logistics sector.

Bahrain will host The Bahrain International Airshow on Wednesday, 13 November and Friday, 15 November near Awali. The three-day event is bringing together over 180 participating companies from over 59 represented nations globally.

Egypt will host the Autotech Exhibition on Sunday, 17 November until Tuesday, 19 November in Cairo. The event will bring together prominent local and international companies to discuss and evaluate the latest developments and trends in the automotive aftermarket and feeder industries.

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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