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ZONES-
Aramco + Sinopec break ground on USD 9.82 bn Fujian petrochem complex: Saudi Aramco and Chinese state refining giant Sinopec have kicked off construction work at a refinery and petrochemical complex in southeast China’s Fujian province, with operations expected to begin in 2030, Reuters reports, citing a Sinopec statement. The new refining hub is estimated to cost USD 9.82 bn, the newswire said. Aramco and Sinopec inked a preliminary agreement for the greenfield project back in 2022.
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Project profile: The new refining hub is situated in Zhangzhou city’s Gulei industrial park and includes a 320k bbl / d refinery, ethylene and paraxylene plants, and a 300k-ton crude oil terminal. Once operational, the facility is expected to supply some 5 mn tons of petrochemical feedstocks a year. The initiative is separate from another USD 6.4 bn Sabic refining complex also situated in Gulei industrial park, Reuters explained.
LOGISTICS HANDLING-
Menzies secures ground handling license in Malaysia: Ground handling firm Menzies Aviation, a subsidiary of Kuwait-based Agility, has secured a new ground handling license to deliver passenger, ramp, and cargo services at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in Malaysia, according to a statement. Menzies’ JV with Malaysian supply chain management company MMAG Holdings, Menzies Aviation Malaysia, will begin delivering ground handling services from KUL starting January 2025 under the 12-month license. Private aviation company MJets will be the first customer for Menzies, who will serve more than 30 weekly flights.
AVIATION-
Gulf Air partners up with AWS on cloud infrastructure: Bahrain’s flagship carrier Gulf Air has entered into a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, to develop the airline’s operations using AWS’ cloud infrastructure, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported on Friday. Gulf Air will use AWS’ technology to modernize its digital foundation across airports and airline segments, improving operational efficiency, customer experience, and scalability through AI and machine learning.
What they said: “The partnership is designed to develop cloud innovation for Gulf Air’s operations, leveraging advanced tools such as Gen AI, Bedrock, and SageMaker to enhance services across airports and aircraft,” Managing Director of MENA and Turkey region for AWS Yasser Hassan said to BNA.
ICYMI: Maritime AI company Windward is collaborating with AWS to launch generative AI solutions to improve risk management for the shipping, logistics, and public sectors.
Dnata’s Airport Handling to operate ground handling at Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Dubai-based air services provider Dnata’s joint venture Airport Handling has been awarded a seven-year ground handling license at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), according to a press release. Airport Handling will provide ramp and passenger services at FCO starting February 2025, with a EUR 20 mn investment in ground support equipment (GSE).
SHIPPING + MARITIME-
Mawani adds new shipping service to Jubail Commercial Port: The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) added Emirates Shipping Line’s EJBS service to Jubail Commercial Port, it said in a statement. The new service, which has a 1.8k standard container capacity, will link the Jubail port to the ports of Jebel Ali in the UAE, and Shuwaikh in Kuwait.
TRADE-
Saudi Chambers to explore investments in Poland + Slovakia: A business delegation led by the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) Chairman Hasssan bin Mujib Al-Huwaizi departed for Poland and Slovakia on Monday to explore investment opportunities and sign several agreements and commercial partnerships, SPA reports. The delegation includes 72 business leaders from different sectors, government entities, and authorities. The delegation will participate in a meeting of the Saudi-Polish Business Council and the Saudi-Slovak Business Forum to sign an agreement and establish a joint business council.
DIGITILIZATION-
Cairo International Airport’s cargo management system gets an upgrade: Turkish logistics solutions provider CACC Cargolinx has implemented Hermes Logistics Technologies’s (HLT) SaaS Cloud-based service at Egypt’s Cairo International Airport, streamlining cargo handling operations and boosting digital infrastructure, according to a statement. The project has integrated Hermes’ Business Intelligence platform and Track and Trace application, which will offer data insights and host detailed shipment information for customers and shippers in real time.
RAIL-
Morocco taps Covec for railway project: Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) has awarded China Overseas Engineering Corporation (Covec) a MAD 1.34 bn (c. USD 133.9 mn) contract for the high-speed line (LGV) from Kenitra to Marrakech, Morocco World News reports, citing Morocco’s Le360. The contract will cover extensive civil work, including earthworks, engineering structures, communications restoration, and fencing.
The big picture: The project falls under ONCF’s USD 37 bn plan to link the country’s cities, ports, and airports via high speed railways with speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. ONCF’s MAD 9.78 bn railway development investment plan for 2025-2027 will also extend towards the LGV.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- Iran boosts imports from UAE: Iran has launched three weekly direct cargo services from Payam Airport to the UAE’s Al Maktoum International Airport. The flights will be dedicated to importing the goods required for the manufacturing of electronic devices in Iran. (IRNA)
- Afghanistan + Iran to cooperate on rail transport: Afghanistan’s Public Works Ministry has sent a delegation to Iran to discuss increasing commercial exchange through the Khaf-Herat railway. (IRNA)
- Pakistan-Iran border trade point reopens: The Balochistan region’s Kuntanipur border crossing between Iran and Pakistan reopened on Monday. (24 News)
- BIA receives IEnvA Certification: Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has become the world’s first airport to receive the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Certification recognizing its commitment to sustainability. (International Airport Review)
- Beyon + BAC partner up on airport services: Bahrain’s ICT provider Beyon Solutions has inked an agreement with Bahrain Airport Company to enhance the aviation communications infrastructure at Bahrain International Airport (BIA), boosting operational efficiency and emergency response capabilities. (Statement).
