PORTS-
Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone transported 69 oversized shipment units for the international clean energy company United Solar Polysilicon (FZC), according to a press release. The 90-day operation — which was carried out in cooperation with logistics services company C. Steinweg Oman — included transporting freight as long as 103 meters and weighing up to 500 tn. This comes as part of FZC’s polysilicon plant that is expected to generate 100k tn annually with a total cost of USD 1.6 bn
E-COMMERCE-
Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba launched in Morocco and partnered with Moroccan export company Clementia, according to the Moroccan Confederation of Exporters’ (ASMEX) website. The platform chose Morocco for its first Africa site due to its diverse industries, high-quality products sought after in international markets, and the country’s strategic geographic location, Asharq Business reported on Thursday, citing Alibaba’s Europe Director Giancarlo Pastano. Alibaba aims to support local companies in digital export by enabling them to create their own digital storefronts, says Clementia’s CEO Reda Chraibi. The platform is also considering introducing a page dedicated specifically to Moroccan products, but this will depend on future collaborations with Moroccan government export agencies.
AVIATION-
British Airways has canceled all summer flights from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi due to ongoing engine issues on some of its aircraft, Reuters reported on Thursday. “We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve for their travel plans,” the airline said.
CARGO-
Etihad Cargo will launch a weekly freighter service to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport starting 7 January adding over 100 tons of cargo capacity, according to a press release published last week. The service will connect Paris to key destinations like Ezhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Zhengzhou, with additional links through a road feeder network in China. The freighter will transport various types of goods, including general cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables, automotive shipments, and cultural items.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- RTA cuts down traffic time in Dubai: Dubai’s Road Transport Authority opens 1 km bridge linking Hessa Street to Al Khail Road, in part of a major development project constructing four intersections along Hessa Street Al Tayer. The project will double the capacity of Hessa Street and cut the average travel time between the two streets from 15 minutes down to three minutes. (Statement)
- Qatar Airways eyes Doha – Bogotá – Caracas route: Qatar Airways is seeking authorization to operate the Doha – Bogotá – Caracas route with two weekly frequencies. (Statement)
- Air Arabia flies to Vienna and Warsaw: Air Arabia has launched its inaugural flight to Vienna from Sharjah International Airport, which will operate four times a week, and added a new route to Warsaw to operate five times a week. (Statements here and here)
- EgyptAir is flying to Beirut again: EgyptAir resumed its flights between Cairo and Beirut last Thursday “in light of stability in Lebanon.” This marks the end of a three-months suspension. (Statement)