Transport and Logistics
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Abu Dhabi orders more Z Portal Systems
Abu Dhabi Customs Administration has placed a follow-on $8.6 million order with American Science and Engineering Inc., a US-based firm specializing in X-ray detection technology, for multiple Z Portal X-ray screening systems. The Z Portal systems will be used to scan vehicles at a strategic border checkpoint in Abu Dhabi, the company has said. The Z Portal system produces photo-like images with multi-view, drive-through screening for left, right, and top-down imaging of cars, vans, trucks, and their cargo for detection capability of plastic and liquid explosives, narcotics, plastics weapons, drugs, stowaways, and alcohol.
TNT Express wins Volvo contract
Volvo Car Overseas Middle East has said it has awarded TNT Express in the UAE, a two-year contract to provide express road and air distribution across the Middle East. The contract will see TNT carry some 6000 Volvo shipments per year, accounting for all Volvo parts outbound business by air and road. TNT, which has been responsible for providing Volvo with express-based services in the region for the last three years, saw the extension of the existing scope to include all road and air shipments to all destinations from the purpose built distribution centre in Jebel Ali.
Suez Canal revenues down 26%
An official of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has said that revenues of the waterway have dipped 26% to $348.2m in June, compared to $471.4m in the same month last year, Reuters has reported. The number of vessels using the waterway was 1,401 in June, down from 1,819 in June 2008, the official said.
DP World inks new lease with Port Botany
Marine port operator DP World has signed a new 15-year operating lease extension with Port Botany in Sydney, Australia. The new lease is aimed at improving overall port efficiency, and includes specific incentives to improve truck servicing and rail performance in New South Wales.
Qatar Shipping, Navigation merger 'on track'
Qatar Navigation and Qatar Shipping Co. have said that the evaluation process of the proposed merger of the two companies, as announced on the Qatar Exchange on May 7, 2009, has begun and is proceeding on track. HSBC Bank Middle East has been appointment as investment bank advisor and lead consultant to evaluate and advise on the potential merger, the two companies have said.
UAE train firm approved
UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has approved a federal law decree for the creation of an independent rail company, to be involved in the transporting of goods and passengers, which will operate under the name 'Etihad Trains Company', according to WAM. The company, which is to be wholly owned by the federal government, will engage in the owning, leasing, renting, purchasing and selling of trains, as well as in investing in the transporting of passengers and goods.
Abu Dhabi Mar buys Nobiskrug shipyard
A UAE-based yacht builder says it has bought a controlling interest in the Nobiskrug Shipyard, in Rendsburg, Germany. With 100 million euros in turnover, the shipyard has been in existence since 1905 and has launched more than 700 vessels, Abu Dhabi MAR said in a statement. Abu Dhabi MAR, which was established two years ago, shares common ownership with the CMN Shipyard in Cherbourg, France, and currently has four yachts under construction.
Agility seeks Iraq contracts
Tarek Sultan, Chairman and managing director of Agility, the Middle East's largest storage and logistics company, said the company is seeking oil and gas opportunities in Iraq as part of its expansion in emerging markets. 'There are a lot of companies looking to do business in Iraq, but don't know how and need logistical support,' he told Bloomberg. 'Oil and gas customers are looking to partner with companies that know how to do business in Iraq.'
Egyptian firms wins charter contract
The Egyptian Company for Gas Services has signed a charter contract with Deep Sea Supply for its Anchor Handling Tug and Supply Vessel 'Sea Lion' in Egypt. The estimated length of the contract is up to one and a half years, equivalent to that required supporting a two-well drilling program. The total contract value is in excess of $17.5m. The vessel will commence charter mid September 2009.
Dubai to install hidden speed cameras
Dubai police plan to use hidden speed radars under a new initiative to catch 'arrogant' motorists, reported Khaleej Times. The cameras will soon hang from trees, electrical poles or even bridges, capturing speeding drivers, without the flash of a camera bulb to alert drivers they have been caught. Fifteen of the radars, which can detect and shoot speeding cars from 150 metres away, are being tested before being rolled out from July 15, said Brigadier Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, director of General Department of Traffic.
Ajman Free Zone, Ajman Bank ink deal
Ajman Bank has signed a Dhs54m financial agreement with Ajman Free Zone to assist the latter in its multi-million Dirham development plan at the free zone, including the expansion of the Al-Jurf Industrial Area and the completion of Phase 3 of the storage facilities. The agreement is the second to be signed between the Ajman Bank and the Ajman Free Zone Authority within the past few months. Investment at the Ajman Free Zone Authority has now exceeded Dhs1bn.
Agility awarded option year on US Army contract
Agility Defense & Government Services (DGS) has announced that the US Army has awarded a one-year option on the Army's Heavy Lift VI contract. The value of this one-year extension is estimated to be up to $91m. Under the extension, Agility will continue to provide transportation services for military personnel, supplies, and equipment.
Saudi may delay landbridge rail project
Saudi Arabia may delay the $7bn landbridge project to link the east and west coasts of the kingdom by rail, amid speculation the government will step in to wholly fund the plan instead of opting for an initial 50-year build-operate-transfer deal financed through debt, Meed magazine has reported. Asciano, the ports and rail owner spun-out of Toll Holdings, and its seven Saudi Arabian partners who make up the Tarabot consortium, have been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver the project.
Gulftainer wins Borouge logistics deal
Abu Dhabi National Polymers Company (Borouge) ha awarded Sharjah-based ports operator Gulftainer a five-year deal to oversee logistics operations at the company's petrochemicals production complex, Meed has reported. Gulftainer will manage operations at the petrochemicals complex at Ruwais, to provide bagging and packaging services as well as the maintenance of vehicles and equipment at the site.
Nakilat takes delivery of Q-Flex carrier
Qatar's Nakilat has taken delivery of 'Al Kharaitiyat', a Q-Flex carrier, which was built at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The new carrier will be used to ship LNG produced by Qatargas 3, to markets primarily in the US. Qatargas 3 shareholders are Qatar Petroleum, ConocoPhillips and Mitsui & Company.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds