UAE gets a new trade link to China via Pakistan

TRADE-

UAE gets a new trade link to China via Pakistan: Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has launched a multimodal logistics route — named the Transports Internationalaux Routiers — linking the UAE to China via northern Pakistan’s Khunjerab Pass, Arab News reported on Saturday.

How they’ll do it: NLC will use trucks departing from Kashgar in China to Karachi in Pakistan to transport goods, which will then be moved from Karachi Port to Jebel Ali Port via a shipping service operated by the UAE’s DP World, according to a statement. The move looks to streamline cross-border trade through the implementation of an international customs transit framework throughout the route.

AVIATION-

Iraq has plans for its aviation sector in 2025: Iraq’s Transport Ministry plans to supervise several projects to develop infrastructure and enhance efficiency at Iraqi airports and in the civil aviation sector in 2025, according to a statement published on Saturday. The projects include rehabilitating the primary and secondary Basra radar and installing a satellite station system (VSAT), according to the statement.

ICYMI- Iraq issued a two-stage public tender in July for a private partner to operate and develop Baghdad International Airport under a PPP contract, which aims “to modernize and rehabilitate the airport infrastructure, expand passenger and cargo terminal facilities.”

M&A WATCH-

AD Ports Group has completed the integration of its recently acquired maritime and logistics firm, Noatum Group, into its business structure, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf) last week. Noatum’s corporate head office in Spain was incorporated into AD Ports’ business verticals. The maritime unit of Noatum will become a new business segment within Safeen Group, renamed Noatum Maritime. Meanwhile, Noatum Terminals will be integrated into Noatum Ports, overseeing AD Ports Group’s international port operations.

REMEMBER- AD Ports fully acquired Spanish logistics company Noatum back in July 2023 in a EUR 660 mn transaction as part of a wider expansion plan. Noatum is present in US, Chinese, and Southeast Asian markets. The subsidiary has since acquired a majority stake in Egyptian cargo services and maritime agency Safina BV, as part of its expansion across the MENA region.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-

• Abu Dhabi launched MARSDNA to boost maritime sustainability: The Integrated Transport Center (Abu Dhabi Mobility) and Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s Abu Dhabi Maritime introduced a new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals tool dubbed MARSDNA. The tool, developed by Maqta Technologies, is designed to help maritime stakeholders assess and improve their sustainability practices through tailored recommendations and reports. (Press Release)
• Emirates extended halt of Baghdad and Beirut flights: Emirates Airlines continue suspending flights to and from Baghdad and Beirut until 15 January, and transiting through Dubai to either city will not be accepted until further notice. (Press Release)
• Two floating bridges inaugurated on Suez Canal: The Suez Canal Authority inaugurated two 255 m floating bridges, with a capacity of 100 tonnes each, bringing the total crossing points to 23 along the canal. (Statement)
• Iraq restarts its Lebanon flights: Iraq Airways has relaunched flights to Lebanon after suspending them earlier this month due to security concerns amid the security developments in Syria. (Reuters)
• Yemen’s Sanaa airport + Hodeidah port resume operations: Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport has resumed daily flights to Jordan after Israeli airstrikes disrupted operations on Thursday. Operations at Hodeidah port have also resumed operations. (Alsaa)
• Air Arabia launches Ras Al Khaimah-Moscow flights: Air Arabia has launched a new route between UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah and Moscow, Russia, operating three times a week. (Wam)
• Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flies to Yekaterinburg, Russia: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has launched a twice weekly route between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Koltsovo International Airport in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Wam)