Author: Jochebed Menon

Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) in partnership with Cruise Saudi entered the cruise industry with the departure of the cruise ship MSC Bellissima from the terminal’s new dedicated cruise line berthing facilities. The 4,500-passenger vessel is operated by MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately owned cruise line. The berthing and cruise passenger facilities are part of the ongoing expansion and upgrade of RSGT and Jeddah Islamic Port. “This is another proud and important moment for RSGT and Jeddah Islamic Port as we witness the launch of the cruise industry in Saudi Arabia ahead of the departure of the very first…

The Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZ Council) held its 18th meeting, headed by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Free Zones Council, to discuss strategic initiatives that support Dubai-based startups and SMEs, in coordination with business accelerators, to boost Dubai’s status as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment and innovation. Referencing its registered Dhs135 billion in foreign trade in Q1 2021, approximately 38% of Dubai’s total foreign trade, HH Sheikh Ahmed lauded the role of Dubai’s free zones in creating a refreshing trade corridor with global markets and attracting foreign direct investments to Dubai…

DP World Luanda has acquired a fleet of 30 new high-performance tractors as part of its investment to modernise the Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) at the Port of Luanda, and further improve operational efficiencies. The arrival of the tractors follows the start of operations by DP World Luanda, on 1 March 2021, after it was awarded a 20-year concession to manage and operate the MPT. Since then, DP World Luanda has implemented several projects and initiatives, as part of its USD190 million investment over the term of the concession, to transform the terminal into a modern and efficient port facility to…

DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port shipped four mega polyethylene reactors, the largest weighing 227 tonnes, to Rotterdam in collaboration with the CMA CGM Group, a shipping and logistics company. The shipment was handled with the help of a floating crane from Drydocks World and was loaded on two consecutive sailings. As one of the largest project cargoes loaded on a container ship in the Middle East, the operation mobilised more than 100 specialists across the entire supply chain and involved methodical planning and safe execution. In total, 839 tonnes of cargo, measuring 35m in length, 7m in height, and…

dnata announced the promotion of David Barker to Divisional Senior Vice President (DSVP) for its ground handling and cargo business. David has been with dnata for over six years, currently leading the company’s extensive airport operations in the USA as CEO. In his new role David will oversee dnata’s global ground handling and cargo business at 91 airports in 14 countries, managing a team of over 23,000 customer-oriented aviation professionals. David will be based in Dubai and report to Steve Allen, dnata’s Executive Vice President. He will take on his new role on 1 August, replacing Stewart Angus who decided…

Abu Dhabi Ports announced the completion of 1.38 million sqm of commercial and retail areas at Rahayel Automotive and Mobility City by ZonesCorp, part of the Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster of Abu Dhabi Ports, and one of the largest economic zone operators in the UAE. Rahayel City is the first integrated hub for the automotive industry in the region to accommodate a full range of auto-related businesses and supporting services. Featuring showrooms, service centres and workshops, auction houses, and sector-based regulatory and governing bodies, the new development is also home to a vehicle test track, an inspection facility,…

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Aviation Group, and CargoAi, the SaaS application which provides air cargo digital solutions, have partnered to elevate the carrier’s API accessibility for freight forwarders as part of its digitalisation strategy. During the past few years, Etihad Cargo has accelerated its development of technology advancements which have provided simplified customer experiences through several partnerships. This has culminated in the launch of its brand-new digital platform, etihadcargo.com. Their latest collaboration with CargoAi will further enhance this through the provision of brand-new API accessibility for freight forwarders the world over. “Digitalisation has…

Kale Logistics Solutions is now offering Maritime Single Window (MSW) services under its Port Community System – CODEX. Designed on the principles of United Nations and IMO recommendation for trade facilitations, it promotes paperless trade through digitisation. Though most seaports have been relatively slow in embracing automation and digitisation as compared to other modes of transportation, however, the pace is now starting to accelerate. Ports are facing a shortage of human resources, non-availability of the right information of and from port users, poor data quality, siloes of operations and difficulty in handling exceptions. Technological innovation plays a key role in…

Dubai-based logistics solutions and technology provider Lyve recently launched a cross border delivery service from UAE to Saudi Arabia, its first, enabling eCommerce businesses to deliver goods between the two countries. Talking to Logistics News ME, Ian Caron, Senior Director – Non-Food Logistics, Lyve, explains why this solution was introduced: “The growing demand from our existing and new client base requesting us to support their deliveries for this lane has been one of the main contributing factors in extending delivery solutions to Saudi from the UAE. “Simply listening to the recurring pain-points encountered by most companies with this specific delivery…

DP World and Rosatom will work together to develop the Northern Transit Corridor as a viable and sustainable route between Asia and Europe. Rosatom is a Moscow headquartered state corporation that specialises in nuclear energy. Under the terms of the agreement DP World and Rosatom will establish a joint venture which will invest in, build, and operate transport and logistics capacity along the Northern Transit Corridor. The Northern route cuts up to 19 days from the journey time between Southeast Asia and Northwest Europe. One third of the world’s trade flows between the two continents and saving shipping time will…