M&A WATCH-
DP World has finalized its acquisition of Laos-based Savan Logistics, which operates the Savannakhet dry port in Laos’ Savannakhet Special Economic Zone, according to a statement. No details were provided on the value of the transaction.
The move sees DP World assuming management of the dry port, a logistics hub linking supply chains along a multinational corridor connecting Laos with Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Aside from managing the dry port and its warehouses, DP World will also coordinate cross-border transport, freight forwarding, and integrated logistics solutions at the site, the statement said.
DATA CENTERS-
US-based tech startup Iozera will ink an MoU with Morocco’s government to establish a 386 MW data center and AI hub in Tetouan, Morocco on 8 May, according to a press release. The hub looks to provide AI computing services to businesses in the US, Morocco, and other countries, and will be powered by renewable energy, the statement says.
DECARBONIZATION-
Emaar The Economic City + Aramex ink agreement to boost logistics operations and sustainability at KAEC: Developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Emaar The Economic City, and Aramex have inked an agreement to implement sustainable and value-added logistics solutions in KAEC in a bid to enhance operational efficiency and to curb environmental impact, according to a statement released on Thursday. Phase one of the agreement will see Aramex deploy its AramexBot for deliveries in KAEC. Later stages will see a multi compartment bot used to permit several deliveries on a single trip, reducing costs. The electrically powered bots emit zero emissions and bring about gains in terms of delivery speeds and efficiency, the statement said.
SUPPLY CHAINS-
NHC and CITIC Construction partner to boost building materials supply chains in KSA: KSA’s National Housing Company (NHC) has inked a cooperation agreement with Chinese construction and engineering outfit CITIC Construction to establish an industrial city and logistics zones for building materials in the Kingdom, SPA reported on Sunday. The initiative will include 12 factories and comes in a bid to secure supply chains for building materials for residential projects.
AVIATION-
Oman Air Cargo partners with RTS: Oman Air Cargo has signed an agreement with Texas-based revenue management consultant Revenues Technology Services (RTS) to adopt a comprehensive suite of digital tools to automate revenue and pricing processes, in a bid to enhance operations and boost revenues, according to a statement released last week. The partnership looks to develop pricing strategies, optimize use of belly cargo capacity, and boost customer experiences at Oman Air Cargo.
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
New shipping service added to Jeddah port: The Saudi Port Authority (Mawani) has added a new shipping service by local feeder and short sea shipping operator Folk Maritime to Jeddah Islamic Port, according to a statement. The shipping service — dubbed the Port Sudan Service (PSS) — will connect Jeddah Islamic Port with Port Sudan. The service, which has a capacity of up to 700 standard containers via regular weekly trips, aims to facilitate market needs and growing trade in the region.
BACKGROUND– Mawani has recently added a new shipping service — NRS by Folk Maritime — to its Jeddah Islamic Port to boost connectivity along ports in the North Sea. The service, which will offer a capacity of up to 1.3k TEUs, will link Jeddah Islamic Port to Yanbu Commercial Port, Neom Port, Jordan’s Aqaba and Egypt’s Sokhna.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- New Fujairah-Cairo flights in July: Fujairah International Airport, in cooperation with Egyptair, has launched direct flights between Fujairah and Cairo at a rate of two flights per week on Sundays and Thursdays. (Wam)
- Etihad Airways partners with five major airliners: UAE’s Etihad Airways inked reciprocal interline partnerships with five new airlines, Kam Air, Sky Express, Rex Airlines, Jeju Air, and Myanmar Airways International. The agreement will streamline connectivity and baggage check-through on single tickets across networks, and offer connections to some 80 destinations across Afghanistan, Greece, Australia, Korea, and Myanmar from Etihad’s gateways. (Statement)
- SAL introduces storage and delivery solutions at Dammam Port: Saudi Logistics Services SAL has started offering storage and delivery solutions to customers at their center in Dammam’s King Abdulaziz port. (Statement)
- EBRD to boost Palestinian trade: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supplying the Arab Islamic Bank in the West Bank and Gaza with a USD 2 mn trade finance line to boost Palestinian exports and imports. (Statement)