Transport and Logistics

Shipping cost may shoot up
The cost of shipping Middle East crude to Asia may further hike rates for a sixth day because vessel supply is constrained in the Atlantic, reported Bloomberg. The report noted that rising charter rates in western hemisphere markets may cause owners whose tankers are in Europe or US to choose for West African cargoes rather than sending the ships back to the Middle East.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 03 - 2008 at 08:55

Jeddah underpass gets underway
The Jeddah Municipality has awarded the SR114m contract to the Saudi Binladin Group to construct an 800-meter underpass beneath the famous Tariq ibn Ziad (Ships) Roundabout on Al-Andalus Street, reported Arab News. The project is one of many that are currently being devised to ease traffic bottlenecks across the city.
Saudi Arabia: Sunday, March 02 - 2008 at 07:00

Empost launches 'Mass Courier'
Empost has launched a new delivery service called Mass Courier. It is available for domestic and international deliveries, enabling door-to-door transportation of all shipments with an average transit time of 3-5 working days to all major cities. The service could ship 25 shipments and above in case of international dispatches and 100 shipments and above, locally.
United Arab Emirates: Saturday, March 01 - 2008 at 11:55

Agility expands in Europe
Kuwait-based Agility, the Middle East's largest storage and logistics company, has announced that it has purchased all of Spain-based Combalia Transportes Internacionales 1986 SL's transport and warehousing units in Barcelona and Madrid to expand in southern Europe, reported Bloomberg. The deal values the assets at $377,712 and will help expand Agility's Spanish road freight business, the company said in a filing to Dubai's stock exchange today.
Kuwait: Thursday, February 28 - 2008 at 13:44

Double decker buses for Dubai-Sharjah route
Double decker bus service will be launched between Dubai and Sharjah in August of this year to improve transport between the emirates, according to senior officials of the Public Transport Department in Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. Seventy state-of-the-art buses will be used as part of the service, each of which will have 90 seats.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, February 28 - 2008 at 09:33

Abu Dhabi unveils 'gold card' program
Abu Dhabi Customs has launched the ‘Gold Card’ programme, a new initiative that provides importers and exporters a range of benefits including faster and more convenient tracking and enhanced security of their shipments while also allowing for a 90-day rolling credit period for companies enlisted under the programme.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, February 28 - 2008 at 07:48

DP World to invest $35m in port expansion
Dubai-based terminal operator DP World is investing Dhs121m ($35m) in the expansion of the quay and other facilities in Adelaide Port, where it operates a container terminal, reported Gulf News. Andrew Towers, general manager of DP World Adelaide, said the investment would expand the terminal's quay by 149 metres alongside the existing 510 metres, which would 'satisfy the company's needs' until 2012.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, February 28 - 2008 at 07:09

Dubai plans water taxi service
Dubai plans to launch a water taxi service early next year to help minimize traffic congestion, reported Gulf News. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said at least 10 water taxis at a cost of Dhs30m (8.2m) will be operational on Dubai Creek. The water taxis, which customers will be able to book by phone or wait for at boarding stations, will have 11 seats and central air-conditioning. The Marine Agency is spending more than Dhs1.2bn on water transport projects. Apart from the existing abra service, it launched a water bus service in the creek in September last year.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, February 27 - 2008 at 11:59