Author: Jochebed Menon

Ras Al Khaimah’s (RAK) landmark Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040 is putting the emirate at the forefront of sustainability. The strategic plan, adopted in 2018, aims to cut energy use by 30%, water consumption by 20% and ensure 20% contribution from renewables by 2040. This aims to increase prosperity and spearhead sustainable development in the emirate. Ras Al Khaimah Municipality is leading the strategy with its dedicated Energy Efficiency and Renewables Office (Reem), along with the cooperation of major entities, stakeholders, and the public. “The strategy stems from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi…

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has extended its contract with Tristar Group’s joint venture in Saudi Arabia, United Stars, for an additional period of two years. Tristar’s mandate will be to continue to transport liquid industrial gases to SABIC’s diverse portfolio of clients across the GCC. Tristar, a global integrated energy logistics company, has a long-standing relationship with SABIC. In December 2017, United Stars Country Manager Aous Ali signed a three-year contract to transport liquid gases from SABIC’s plants in Jubail in the Eastern Province and Yanbu in the Western Province to SABIC affiliates inside the Kingdom, Gulf Cooperating Council…

Emirates SkyCargo and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) have signed an MoU to streamline processes for the transportation of Dangerous Goods (DGs). Under the terms of the agreement, the two entities will work together to strengthen mechanisms to proactively share information on certain classes of DG booked for transport on Emirates SkyCargo through Dubai. This will complement the information that is already provided as part of the Dangerous Goods Declaration submitted to the DCAA as part of the approvals process for the transportation of goods classified as DG in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. The MoU also aims…

Dubai Customs signed an agreement with Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) to enable the latter to receive all the services and benefits Dubai Customs provides through its cross-border eCommerce platform. The innovative platform utilises block chain technology to integrate and automate operations between Customs, Free Zones, logistics, and courier companies. It is the first of its kind in the region, and it aims to help the emirate become a global hub for e-commerce and encourage e-commerce companies set their businesses in Dubai. This follows the leadership’s vision of increasing Dubai based companies’ local and regional distribution share of e-commerce trade…

Etihad Cargo and EFL (Expolanka Freight), a global supply chain company, have transported a critical consignment of vaccines from India to Egypt. Leveraging Etihad Cargo’s IATA CEIV certification for pharmaceutical logistics and capability to facilitate temperature-sensitive cargo shipments between +25⁰C and -80⁰C, and EFL’s CEIV and GDP compliance, the two entities collaborated to carry a consignment of 12,475,000 Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine doses produced in India, the largest vaccine manufacturing origin according to WHO. Maintaining the shipment integrity, EFL handed over the shipment to Etihad Cargo’s care in Mumbai, which transited the consignment through its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport…

A number of wild animals who call the Misanad Protected Area in Sharjah home have been relocated to different habitats by Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of UAE’s national railway network. Etihad Rail carefully organised the transport of animals from the Misanad Protected Area, through which the planned route of the national railway runs, to other suitable and protected habitats. The relocation, completed in line with leading international best practice, was conducted in cooperation with the Sharjah Environment & Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), along with environmental experts, specialists, and other relevant national authorities. Misanad Protected Area is home to…

In partnership with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, Abu Dhabi Airports have launched rapid free COVID-19 PCR testing for all arrivals, except those in transit, with results provided in around 90 minutes. The new state of the art RT-PCR lab offers testing within Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to facilitate air travel procedures and support quarantine tracking procedures. Designed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of travellers and staff at Abu Dhabi airport, the new Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing process is free for arriving passengers and offers results in approximately 90 minutes. The laboratory has the capacity to test…

dnata achieved a special cargo milestone in Dubai – handling over 5,000 cargo-in-cabin flights, safely moving over 50,000 tons of shipments at Dubai airport since March 2020. In response to the strong air cargo market demand for the rapid, reliable and efficient transportation of essential commodities, several airlines introduced additional cargo capacity during the pandemic by using passenger aircraft with seats fully or partially removed from the cabin. To adapt to changing customer needs, dnata enhanced services, improved processes and trained more than 500 employees to safely and efficiently handle passenger planes carrying cargo only. dnata introduced effective procedures across…

GAC Qatar has been appointed as a third-party logistics (3PL) partner for Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), which hosts international motorsport events such as the Grand Prix of Qatar and Grand Prix of Doha. The work and planning for the 2021 races, due to take place at the Losail International Circuit in Doha on 28 March and 4 April, are already fully underway. GAC Qatar will handle the customs clearance, transportation and freight services for all cargo including bikes, spares, tyres, fuel, garments, broadcasting equipment and merchandise. GAC will also provide the logistics workforce and Materials Handling Equipment (MHE) to…

Hotel operator GHM plans to open a new luxury resort, comprising 59 rooms and suites as well as 32 chalets and villas at Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Developed by the Qatari real estate consortium, Triple A in partnership with Katara Cultural Village, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, Doha will occupy a beachfront setting within the landmark 100-hectare (247 acre) Katara Cultural Village district that includes theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries, mosques, restaurants, shops, a park, and an open amphitheatre. All Katara’s pedestrian-friendly attractions will be accessible from the property, either by foot or buggy. The resort is expected…