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Lusaka Airport is attracting dedicated freighter capacity from two very different airlines, raising questions over whether a previously overlooked air cargo market is beginning to change. Emirates recently added a weekly B777F service, while TAAG Angola Airlines has introduced a weekly B737-800F operation – moves that have attracted relatively little attention individually, but together suggest carriers are seeing something new in the Zambian market. The development is particularly intriguing, given that an industry source recently suggested there was “insufficient demand for a dedicated freighter service” between Zambia and Angola. TAAG has launched the Lusaka operation as part of its north-south logistics corridor, the first service carrying 12.8 tonnes of cargo from Amsterdam, a shipment that included machine parts, IT equipment, personal effects, and other high-value goods. Subsequent operations are scheduled with loads of 14 and 16 tonnes. The service would create a new gateway for cargo originating in several European countries, as well as China and Brazil, while expanding distribution opportunities across Africa. Meanwhile, Emirates is approaching the market from a different starting point. The carrier said growing demand for time-critical imports had pushed beyond the capacity available in passenger aircraft belly space serving Zambia and Zimbabwe. Khalid Mohd Al Hinai, VP cargo commercial, UAE, GME, & Africa at Emirates SkyCargo, toldThe Loadstar: “Zambia’s landlocked geography makes air freight particularly valuable for urgent, time-sensitive, and high-value cargo, with shipments reaching the market rapidly, without longer transit times associated with other modes.” He said demand for time-critical imports like pharmaceuticals had continued to grow, prompting Emirates to supplement its belly capacity with a dedicated freighter. Indeed, the carrier identified pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, electronics, industrial spare parts, high-value equipment, and express courier shipments among the key cargo segments. Mr Al Hinai also pointed to growing consumer demand and import requirements from major sourcing markets like China, the UAE, India, and Turkey. Notably, rather than relying primarily on traditional bulk movements, the emerging opportunity appears centred on cargo for which speed, reliability, and connectivity are particularly important. TAAG’s initial shipment broadly fits that description, while the airline said the route could also support exports such as beef, poultry, and horticultural products. For forwarders, the Emirates freighter could potentially add another routing for cargo that typically goes through established regional gateways, such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Addis Ababa. Mr Al Hinai said the service provided “a direct and reliable alternative” for time-sensitive and high-value cargo entering Zambia and the surrounding region, while Dubai’s position as a global logistics and trade hub offered connections into Asia, the Middle East and other manufacturing centres. The bigger proposition, however, may be regional rather than purely Zambian. Emirates said it saw potential for Lusaka to develop into a regional air cargo gateway and distribution centre serving neighbouring markets, particularly Zimbabwe and Malawi, as well as selected areas of Botswana. TAAG is making a similar regional argument, its north-south logistics corridor links the Zambian market with its wider African network. The airline also said the route would facilitate access to the Angolan market and create new trade opportunities between Angola and Zambia. That leaves a more interesting question than whether Zambia simply needs additional cargo capacity: what has changed sufficiently for two carriers to see Lusaka as worth dedicating freighter capacity? For Emirates, the answer appears to be growing demand for urgent and high-value imports that can no longer be accommodated entirely in the belly hold. For TAAG, the opportunity appears broader, promoting regional economic integration and strengthening supply chains that connect Angola with key African and international markets. The early loads reported by TAAG provide some evidence of demand, but whether that can develop into a sustained market remains to be seen. What is increasingly clear, however, is that Lusaka is attracting attention from carriers with very different networks and aircraft strategies. The simultaneous arrival of a 777F from Dubai and a 737-800F from Luanda suggests the opportunity may no longer be as easy to dismiss as it once was.

Supply chain stakeholders across the Persian Gulf continue to devise new regional connectivity strategies as widespread port disruption makes moving cargo in and out of the conflict zone a challenge. MSC has established an integrated multimodal transhipment service out of Saudi Arabia, claiming a first for the region, in collaboration with multiple local authorities, including MAWANI and ZATCA (customs). “The new corridor directly connects King Abdullah Port and Jeddah Islamic Port with King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf,” said MSC’s Saudi Arabia president and CEO, Hisham Al Ansari. He said Medlog, a group arm of MSC offering specialised intermodal logistics, would spearhead the multimodal operations. “The service combines road and rail connectivity via Riyadh Dry Port, creating a seamless inland corridor and enabling door-to-door connectivity for transhipment cargo across the kingdom,” he added. Medlog has already “tested the waters” with a successful trial shipment along the corridor, the carrier claimed. Industry sources see the multimodal solution as a major boost for regional trade flow, with the potential to strengthen supply chain resilience and ease transit hurdles. “This is a significant step for Saudi logistics,” one logistics executive said. “Through this integrated corridor, importers have the flexibility to choose their port of entry in a very volatile situation.” Because of mounting congestion at Jeddah, MSC was already pushing customers to reroute shipments through King Abdullah Port. Indeed, industry updates suggest all mainline carriers serving Middle East trades have been struggling to get cargo out of alternative gateways in the region due to severe inland capacity shortages and cross-border complexities. As a result, some, particularly CMA CGM, have stopped accepting shipments to the Middle East that include haulage, where the cargo owner typically handles the landside leg of logistics. And the disruption continues to keep freight rates from India to Saudi Arabia elevated. According to market updates, average booking rates from Nhava Sheva (JNPA) are $6,000 per teu and $6,600 per 40ft for Jeddah/King Abdullah; and $5,800 and $7,000 for Dammam. Meanwhile, the Middle East war has taken a heavy toll on container volumes passing through DP World terminals – with flagship Jebel Ali the most bruised. Jebel Ali handled just 374,000 teu in Q2, crashing down 90% on the year, data shows, even as the port facility remains operational with intermittent shutdowns. As marine passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains a chokepoint, DP World has moved to invest in two new terminals in Fujairah, which has been a lifeline for disrupted Middle East supply chains. “This will provide cargo owners with greater flexibility, more choice, and enhanced supply chain resilience, while reinforcing our confidence in the UAE’s future as a leading global trade and logistics hub,” said the company.

DP World confirmed today that it had reached an agreement with Fujairah Ports Authority to build two new terminals on the UAE’s east coast – and outside of the Hormuz Strait – under a 50-year concession. The two facilities will be the Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal, and the Dibba General Cargo terminal, and in combination will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4m teu to almost 22m teu, while significantly expanding general cargo and ro-ro capabilities. “Fujairah strengthens what Jebel Ali already delivers — a single, global integrated platform for moving goods across global supply chains and within the UAE and beyond,” Yuvraj Narayan, DP World’s group chief executive officer said. “With Jebel Ali operating at high utilisation, this development provides the additional capacity to support long-term growth. “For cargo owners, it means greater flexibility, more choice and stronger supply chain resilience,” he added. However, according to an Alphaliner analysis, both DP World’s and AD Ports home terminals have seen traffic plummet since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict. “Both of the UAE’s main hubs in the Gulf, Jebel Ali in Dubai and the AD Ports-operated Khalifa Seaport in Abu Dhabi, have experienced a massive drop in activity since the Iran conflict escalated, which led to repeated closures (or de facto closures) of the Strait of Hormuz,” Alphaliner said today. “Located outside the Gulf, Fujairah offers direct access to the Indian Ocean, making it a strategically important gateway for liner shipping.” Source: Alphaliner The project will establish a new deep-water trade gateway on the UAE’s east coast, capable of handling the latest generation of Ultra Large Container Vessels, with the Al Rugaylat container terminal designed to handle up to 2.5m teu annually, alongside 1.7m tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), Dibba will add up to a further 3.6m tonnes of annual general cargo capacity. “The partnership with DP World marks an important milestone in Fujairah’s continued development as one of the region’s most important maritime gateways,” said Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, chairman of Fujairah Ports Authority. “The Al Rugaylat and Dibba terminals will bring world-class operating capability, expanded capacity and new investment to the emirate. “We look forward to working with DP World to deliver a project that will benefit customers, communities and the UAE’s wider economy,” he added. The new development, which is expected to take somewhere between two and two and a half years’ to complete, will come alongsidean expansion to Gulftainer’s Khor Fakkan container terminal, as previously reported byThe Loadstar, and means that since Iran first closed Hormuz around 7.5m teu of new terminal capacity outside Hormuz is now planned. “This development will add significant new capability to Fujairah’s port infrastructure and enhance the range and quality of services we can offer to cargo owners and logistics customers,” Captain Mousa Murad, Fujairah Ports Authority managing director, said “By combining Fujairah’s strategic location with DP World’s operating expertise, we aim to deliver modern, efficient terminals that support regional trade flows, strengthen connectivity and meet the highest international standards,” he added. Meanwhile, DP World recently announced it had acquired 700 new trucks expressly for the purpose of operating landbridge container movements that are likely to be a foundation of the new terminal’s cargo base.

Two well-known maritime brands have joined their combined knowledge and reach to launch a project aimed at understanding seafarer mental wellbeing in an increasingly challenging industry. July 21, 2026 A groundbreaking initiative to address uncertainty in the global maritime workforce Two well-known maritime brands have combined their knowledge and reach to launch a project aimed at understanding seafarer mental wellbeing in an increasingly challenging industry. The "Sailing Through Uncertainty" project is a collaboration between Seatrade Maritime and DSG, leveraging their combined expertise to amplify impact and credibility. The project is a year-long initiative designed to understand, measure, and act on the sources of uncertainty affecting the global maritime workforce aimed at understanding what uncertainty feels like for seafarers and what helps them navigate it. Through a multi-faceted approach of data insights, in person workshops and focus sessions, Sailing Through Uncertainty will focus on the lived experiences of seafarers and shoreside staff, and equipping industry leaders with actionable insights to foster resilience, retention, and performance. Chris Morley, Group Director at Seatrade Maritime, part of Informa Markets, said: "The maritime sector is navigating a period of unprecedented challenges, including geopolitical instability, regulatory changes, technological disruption, and evolving workforce expectations. While the industry has extensive data on operational and commercial risks, there is a critical gap in understanding how uncertainty impacts the people who deliver its operations. The "Sailing Through Uncertainty" project seeks to fill this gap by generating original data, fostering honest conversations, and providing practical recommendations for the industry." The "Sailing Through Uncertainty" initiative will be delivered across several Seatrade Maritime events, including Crew Connect Global in Manila, Philippines and Seatrade Maritime UAE in Dubai. Anchored by a global seafarer survey, the project will culminate in the publication of resources and practical recommendations to drive meaningful change. The survey will be collated and analysed by DSG, whilst event organiser and publisher, Seatrade Maritime will leverage its global audience to reach survey participants through managers and industry leaders at events throughout 2026 and 2027. The results of which will be shared at Seatrade Maritime UAE in Dubai, May 2027. Helping to amplify the survey and also awareness of the project will be several leading maritime organisations who will encourage their members to distribute the survey amongst their seafaring community. These include: Mission to Seafarers; ISWAN, InterManager, IMEC, Sailors Society and ITF Seafarers Trust. Clickhereto take the survey and make your voice heard. Oct 20, 2026 TO Oct 22, 2026 Manila The world's premier maritime crewing conference Seatrade Maritime Our news reporters and editors draw on over 40 years experience of covering the maritime and shipping industries and bringing you the latest news and insights.

The Emirati owner of the port of Khor Fakkan has unveiled a massive capacity expansion project to coincide with its transformation from common-user terminal operator to one-stop shop logistics service provider. At the same time as the fragile US-Iran “ceasefire” was collapsing, Gulftainer chief executive Farid Belbouab held a press conference in nearby Sharjah to outline the creation of four new business groups – GT Ports, GT Logistics, GT Parks, and GT Maritime. Farid Belbouab (Photo: Gulftainer) “This is more than an expansion of our business – it is the launch of a new chapter in Gulftainer’s history,” Mr Belbouab said. “For nearly 50 years, Gulftainer connected ports. The next 50 years will be about connecting economies,” he added. At the centre of its plans is the expansion of Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal (KCT) from 3.5m teu to 5m teu, “with a long-term masterplan exceeding 10m teu”, expected to be integrated into the UAE’s Etihad Rail, which “will further strengthen KCT as a fully multimodal gateway connecting sea, road, and rail”. This will be complemented by the Al Dhaid Logistics and Sajaa Logistics parks, which together will provide 2.3m teu of annual inland logistics capacity. “Collectively, these developments are creating one of the Middle East’s largest integrated logistics ecosystems, combining warehousing, bonded and non-bonded storage, cold chain, contract logistics, container freight stations, distribution centres, ecommerce fulfilment, cross-docking, value-added logistics, light industrial activities, and multimodal transport solutions within a single connected platform,” the company said. Prior to the outbreak of the latest conflict and closure of Hormuz, Khor Fakkan was the forgotten transhipment hub in the region, losing its previous role as the main competitor to Jebel Ali, as Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa was developed, largely via joint-venture terminal deals with MSC, CMA CGM, and Cosco. When the conflict began, designed purely as a transhipment hub and being located outside Hormuz meant shippers began using Khor Fakkan as the Gulf’s landbridge entry point, so the first thing Gulftainer had to do was to build truck gates at its landside boundaries – previously every container leaving had done so on a ship. The launch of its new business lines this week has turned that improvised supply chain into long-term strategy. According toXeneta’s eeSea liner database, annual volumes at Khor Fakkan peaked at around 3.8m in 2017, dropping steeply to 2.2m the following year – throughput figures have not been made publicly available since. “The port was basically dead, and the operator was on the ropes – to be honest, I was expecting it to close down entirely,” one former Gulftainer executive toldThe Loadstarrecently. “It might sound insensitive, but the war was like a winning lottery ticket,” he added. Vessel traffic at the port was similarly pedestrian: in January it saw seven containership calls, while in February that was down to just four. However, it received 14 ships in March, 21 in April, 23 in May, and 26 in June, and has handled 12 already this month. And from three scheduled services a month at the beginning of the year, today it hosts eight. One example is MSC’s India/Middle East-West Africa IAS service, deploying 11 vessels with an average capacity of 9,200 teu, which traditionally included two Gulf calls, at Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa, where MSC operates a joint-venture terminal. Within days of the closure of Hormuz, MSC dropped the Khalifa and Jebel Ali calls and replaced them with one at Khor Fakkan. In terms of monthly slot capacity offered to shippers, KCT has grown from 54,000 teu in January, to 123,000 teu in June. The war also acted as catalyst for the rapid growth of Gulftainer’s fleet of feeder ships, now rebranded as GT Lines. “Together with GT Lines, which currently operates 10 chartered vessels and is expanding through owned vessels, Gulftainer is creating integrated trade corridors that seamlessly connect ports, shipping and inland logistics across the region,” the company added. GT Lines launched two shuttle services from KCT to India in early March to ferry Gulf-bound containers unloaded in Mundra and Nhava Sheva, and a similar service to Karachi in April. Also in April, it launched two Far East-Middle East strings, with Chinese carrier CU Lines as a vessel provider. In a related development, DP World announced this morning it had acquired 700 trucks “to expand its road freight network in the GCC, providing customers greater certainty, reliability and efficiency when moving cargo across the region”. DP World GCC chief executive Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan said: “This is a long-term investment in our multimodal network and the customers that trade in the GCC. As regional demand grows, we are scaling our capabilities to provide customers with an integrated network they can depend on at every stage.” The fleet is capable of undertaking up to 35,000 truck trips a month, “supporting both domestic and cross-border trucking for DP World’s customer base in the GCC”, the company added.

Deal or no deal, logistics operators are expanding their Gulf land bridge offerings with DHL, GWC, and Oman Air Cargo all pumping further capacity into the region as shocks from the US/Israeli war against Iran continue to be felt across global supply chains. Oman Air Cargo this week launched a new daily Road Feeder Service (RFS) between Muscat and Dubai, with Qatar-based Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) introducing a TIR-powered air-to-land logistics corridor for the Gulf. Speaking toThe Loadstaron Wednesday, DHL Express’ chief executive officer for Europe, Mike Parra, said that he too has noted a marked uptick in demand for the company’s regional road freight connectivity in the Gulf. “With what has happened in the Middle East, with all the uncertainty, and with the Strait of Hormuz closure, we have seen a real necessity to leverage not only our heavyweight express product, but to leverage our network,” said Mr Parra. “When you have the network we have in the Middle East, on the ground and in the air, and have our capability to pivot – for instance from Bahrain to Muscat and Riyadh, which we did – and our road network in Europe, you become the logistics supplier of choice.” DHL may have been one of the early leaders on this pivot to the new Gulf overland trade corridor, but its rapid maturation into an established corridor in just four short months was made possible by determined and speedy work from regional governments. Saudi-based Flow Progressive Logistics’ chief executive Achraf Ellili noted that every authority contributed to have the entire ecosystem working together, “meaning things that we thought would take ages to happen have happened in 47 days”. Praising the rapid collaboration between GCC countries to improve the customs and border crossing processes for trucks, Saudi Automobile & Touring Association executive manager Hasan Almanasif called for operators to “take advantage” of the opportunity. Oman Air Cargo’s launch of its new RFS heeds that call, with the service set to support growing trade flows between the UAE and Oman by trucking goods each way, while also providing customers caught in the chaos options for alternative routings. Head of cargo for the carrier, Michael Duggan, said: “This new service creates greater flexibility for cargo movement between Dubai and Muscat by complementing traditional air freight operations and enabling the transport of a wider range of cargo types. “As regional supply chains continue to evolve, Oman Air Cargo remains focused on delivering reliable, customer-centric transport solutions that support trade across the Middle East.” Nor is the carrier alone in tapping up the opportunity – and it is a massive one with demand for RFSs surging 30% in the first three weeks of the war – with GWS’ new service, in which it uses its network to coordinate services from regional providers. Of course, the route’s long-term prospects continue to be challenged, with expectations that when the war definitively ends, carriers and shippers will revert to their traditional approaches, but hopes of a speedy resolution to the conflict continue to be dashed. Earlier today, news broke that just before boarding a plane to fly to negotiations US vice president JD Vance would no longer be attending the summit in Switzerland as talks had been abandoned. The reason for this cancellation has not yet been made public, but despite the ceasefire MoU signed on Wednesday stressing that attacks on Lebanon by the US and Israel were to halt immediately, Israeli forces have persisted. Indeed, those strikes began almost simultaneously with the news that President Trump had signed the MoU, prompting one forwarder to tellThe Loadstar, “How fucking long [was that]?” in reference to the length of time in which hostilities were paused. Such chaos offers the landbridge long-term prospects. Mr Ellili noted that with shippers having now experienced the route’s reliability, he expected them to “keep a percentage of their volumes moving this way now that it has been stress tested at scale”. “It is optionally now viable. Shippers require a dual corridor strategy and the GCC is now able to offer this. Jebel Ali will remain world class, but it’ll no longer be the only gateway. This new one has been stress-tested it is there, and it is complementary,” he said.

MSC has confirmed that one of its vessels, the 4,800 teuMSC Sariska V, was hit by two “projectiles” last night, some 40 nautical miles south-east of the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. “The first hit while the pilot was on board as the vessel departed from port, and a second impacted the crew area soon afterwards,” the carrier said. According to the UKMTO incident reporting centre, the second missile caused a fire on the ship which was extinguished by the crew. “All crew members are safe, unharmed, and acted with exceptional professionalism throughout the incident to secure the vessel and its cargo,” MSC added. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming it was in response to a US attack on the Gambia-flagged bulk carrierLion Star,which was en route to Iran. It further claimed theMSC Sariska Vwas owned by “an American-Israeli” firm. “This retaliatory action is completely unjustified, since MSC is a neutral commercial carrier with no affiliation to the United States or Israel,” said MSC, insisting that the Panama-flagged vessel is under its ownership. “Founded by Italian national Capt Gianluigi Aponte, the company is headquartered and domiciled in Switzerland and is wholly owned by his children, Diego and Alexa Aponte, both Italian nationals with no other citizenship. “MSC is deeply concerned by these unprovoked attacks and the risk they create for its innocent seafarers and essential maritime trade in the region,” the world’s largest container shipping line said. According to the eeSea liner database,MSC Sariska Vhad been deployed on MSC’s Gulf Shuttle feeder service before the outbreak of the conflict and has been trapped behind the Hormuz strait since. The attack could force other carriers to rethink their Hormuz bypass strategies, given it took place deep inside the Gulf rather than as a response to an attempted Hormuz transit. The trucking landbridge option from Jeddah to the Gulf appears to be increasingly difficult to maintain, given the capacity constraints – in recent days Gemini partners Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have separately notified customers that they would no longer accept UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq bookings through Jeddah. While imports to Saudi destinations such as Jubail and Dammam would continue to be routed through Jeddah, imports for other Gulf countries will go via Khor Fakkan, then be trucked to Dubai and Sharjah, and then be loaded onto feeder vessels for onward transport to the Upper Gulf.

Leading global port agency provider Inchape Shipping services is moving into the US freight forwarding sector after receiving its Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The FMC license means Inchcape can operate in the US as an NVOCC [non-vessel operating common carrier], allowing it to issue its own House Bills of Lading, consolidate shipments, and negotiate directly with ocean carriers to secure space and rates for shippers. “Becoming an FMC-licensed NVOCC is a major milestone for Inchcape Shipping Services and for the customers we serve,” said Irem Gokmen, regional CEO Americas of Inchcape Shipping Services. “This license reflects our commitment to operating at the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and service. “With our NVOCC offering, we can give shippers more control, more flexibility, and more competitive options for moving cargo to and from the United States,” she added. In the initial phase, Inchape will offer both full- and less-than-container load shipments to shippers as well as other forwarders. Securing the OTI license, which is mandatory to issue Bills of Lading, involves a process that requires applicants to demonstrate financial responsibility, regulatory knowledge, and operational readiness. “Our customers expect a partner they can rely on, especially when navigating the complexity of international ocean freight,” said Gerard Bradley, Director Americas Liner. “Being FMC-licensed isn’t just a regulatory checkbox, it’s a signal of trust. We’re proud to bring that trust into a new chapter of service,” he added. It is not the first time the firm has flirted with the freight forwarding sector. In 2018 it was acquired by the Dubai government which launched ISS Global Forwarding out of it. However,its ownership was transferred once againwhen it was bought by UK private equity platform Epiris in 2022. Inchape CEO at that time, Frank Olsen, said: “This investment by Epiris represents a rejuvenation of the company, enabling us to build on our solid business foundation, accelerate benefit realisation and unlock significant upside potential. “Inchcape can now move forward with deployment of capital to realise its strategic goal to become an aggregated platform in the maritime services industry and thereby accelerate realisation of benefits for our customers,” he added.

The German-based firm will become part of AD Ports Noatum Logistics platform May 26, 2026 Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports is acquiring the German’s Cologne-based MBS Logistics’ core business, expanding its footprint in Europe. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of the year pending EU regulatory approvals. AD Ports will fold the freight forwarder into its growing Noatum Logistics platform, adding 26 offices to Noatum Logistics’ existing network of 80 offices across 26 countries. The transaction covers MBS operations in Germany, Switzerland, Asia-Pacific and the US, reported S&P Global. In 2025, MBS generated revenues of $240 million with a diversified, asset-light model, light freight forwarding business for air, sea, road, and rail movement. MBS would provide Noatum with an established platform and immediate access to key logistics corridors, said Jochen Thewes, CEO of Noatum Logistics. He added that combining strengths would allow the group to compete more effectively for major global accounts. Related:Philippines port capacity set to expand with $300m AIIB loan package AD Ports has been expanding its end-to-end container shipping reach, following the example of Dubai-based DP World. With the regional war throwing supply chains into chaos,UAEplayers like AD Portshave been looking to secure footholds in alternative access routes, along with strengthening existing ones. Read more about: Michele Labrut Americas Correspondent Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America. Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s. Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks. Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama. In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

Por Redacción PortalPortuario @PortalPortuario Desde marzo de este año, DP World ha transportado 500.000 TEU (unidades equivalentes a veinte pies) a través del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo (CCG) mediante su red de carreteras y ferrocarriles. Actualmente, la red gestiona alrededor de 3.000 movimientos de camiones diarios, y DP World ha incorporado recientemente 700 camiones para ampliar su capacidad de transporte transfronterizo y nacional. “El transporte terrestre de medio millón de TEU demuestra la magnitud, la resiliencia y la flexibilidad de nuestra red más allá de las terminales. Nuestras amplias capacidades logísticas terrestres ofrecen a las navieras y a los propietarios de carga más opciones de ruta y mayor certeza en el transporte de mercancías por la región, lo que les permite adaptarse rápidamente ante cambios en las condiciones”, declaró Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO y director general de DP World GCC. En los últimos meses, la empresa ha abierto corredores aduaneros de vía rápida que conectan los puntos de entrada de la costa este directamente con Jebel Ali, ha establecido un corredor aduanero desde Sohar en Omán y ha aprovechado las opciones de ruta del Mar Rojo a través de la Terminal de Contenedores Sur del Puerto Islámico de Jeddah. Para ampliar aún más su capacidad logística terrestre, DP World ha inaugurado un nuevo depósito de contenedores vacíos de 100.000 m² en Al Awir, Dubái. Este nuevo depósito ofrece mayor capacidad de almacenamiento y distribución de contenedores vacíos fuera del Puerto de Jebel Ali, brindando a las navieras y a los operadores logísticos mayor flexibilidad para la recogida, entrega y reubicación de contenedores vacíos en Dubái, Sharjah y los Emiratos del Norte. Ubicada en Al Awir, con acceso directo a Emirates Road, la nueva instalación conecta las principales zonas logísticas e industriales de los EAU y ofrece oportunidades para el futuro transporte ferroviario de contenedores a través de Etihad Rail. Gestiona contenedores vacíos de 20, 40 y 45 pies y proporciona servicios de inspección, informes de estado y gestión de inventario para la línea naviera.

ByNICK CRAVEN, SENIOR REPORTER Published:15:53 BST, 22 August 2026|Updated:06:23 BST, 23 August 2026 The palm-fringed resort of Two Seasons on Tokeh Beach in Sierra Leone offers privacy, seclusion and plenty of accommodation for a retinue of staff and security. The mountains behind are topped with lush tropical greenery, and to the west, there's only the Atlantic, next-stop South America. Everything, in fact, that a fugitive drugs kingpin with a price on his head could ask for. ButDutchcocaine baron Jos Leijdekkers, 35, has found a lot more to his taste in this deeply corrupt nation than the clutch of upmarket beach villas he now calls home. Since the dramatic arrest of 'cartel leader' Daniel Kinahan inDubaiearlier this month – and his extradition to face charges in Ireland – the mantle of 'world's most wanted drug smuggler' has now passed to Leijdekkers along with increased global interest in how he is hiding out. Remarkably, he is believed to be married to the daughter of Sierra Leone's president, and the couple are said to have a child together. Leijdekkers, now officially the world's most wanted man, is said to glide on the 20-minute drive between Tokeh and the capital Freetown in a blacked-out Mercedes, escorted by his own motorcade, whose armed members may or may not be in the employ of the government. For the past few years Liejdekkers has lived high on the hog in Sierra Leone, where he has been photographed both with the President's daughter, Agnes Bio, 31, and on his own on the fringes of a nightclub brawl. Dutch cocaine baron Jos Leijdekkers, 35, is now one of the world's most wanted men and the Dutch authorities are desperate to bring him to justice But Mr Liejdekkers is safely out of reach for the Dutch law enforcement and living with impunity in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown Mr Liejdekkers reportedly calls this home - the palm-fringed resort of Two Seasons on Tokeh Beach in Sierra Leone where he is understood to have purchased two villas Mr Liejdekkers is believed to have been the brains behind this recent attempt to export £700million worth of cocaine into Spain on a freight ship called 'Arconian' He has adopted the pseudonym Omar Sheriff, but everyone knows him as 'Bolle' Jos (Dutch for chubby, though he has clearly toned up since that moniker was bestowed). Though he may be on the run from the Dutch and Belgian authorities, who have sentenced him to more than 100 years in his absence, in the appropriately named Freetown, he apparently has nothing to fear. But last week, news of a dramatic attempt to seize him by Dutch special forces in international waters emerged when he was believed to be planning a rare trip by sea to nearby Ivory Coast. The top-secret mission was aborted twice at the 11th hour, whether because of a leak, or a change in Leijdekkers' plans is not clear. But it is no coincidence that he has chosen Sierra Leone to 'hide out' in plain sight. The country is now a pivotal link in the international drugs trade between South America and Europe and some believe that under Mr Leijdekkers' insidious influence, this former British Colony risks becoming a 'narco state' itself. Now the Netherlands is intensifying its legal and political efforts to flush out Mr Leijdekkers from Sierra Leone, where he has become untouchable thanks to his seat at the top table. The campaign to 'Get Jos' gained fresh impetus this May after Spain's Civil Guard seized more than 30 tons of cocaine, the largest single seizure of the drug in history, from a cargo ship organised, police say, by Mr Leijdekkers himself. The Comoros-flagged Arconian was intercepted in international waters after leaving Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital and biggest port, with an illicit drugs cargo worth an estimated £700million. The ship was due to meet smaller speedboats at sea that would have distributed the drugs towards the Spanish coast in a delivery said to have been personally arranged by Mr Leijdekkers. Guardia Civil Spanish police pulled up to the Arconian for cocaine seizure. The ship was due to meet smaller speedboats that would have distributed the drugs towards the Spanish coast As well as vast amounts of drugs, weapons were also found by police on board the Arconian (pictured) The plan was for smaller speedboats to meet the Arconian and take the cocaine in smaller shipments on to the Spain coast - before it was to be distributed more widely through Europe Mr Leijdekkers, born in Holland, has close ties with drugs networks from all over the world, including the fearsome Kinahan cartel whose leader Daniel Kinahan has just been arrested The Dutch government is now pressuring the European Union to threaten to cut off aid to beleaguered Sierra Leone to persuade its government to hand over the fugitive. Mr Leijdekkers, born in Holland, has close ties with drugs networks from all over the world, including the newly leaderless Mr Kinahan cartel – after figurehead Daniel's life of luxury in Dubai was dramatically curtailed by a police raid. But the Dutchman – sentenced in his absence to more than 100 years in Holland and Belgium and a record fine of £82million for drug trafficking – need fear no such sanction from the government of Sierra Leone thanks to his close association with the President's daughter Agnes – who enjoys her own diplomatic immunity as a United Nations representative of her father, President Julius Maada Bio's government. The couple were videoed sitting only two rows behind the President and first Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, Agnes's stepmother in January 2025. Leijdekkers raised eyebrows in Sierre Leone by attending a New Year's church service with Agnes Bio (circled left) with Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone (circle right) The Dutchman need fear no such sanction from the government of Sierra Leone thanks to his close association with the President's daughter Agnes (pictured) Several Bio family members and top government officials were at the New Year's Day thanksgiving service in the President's home village of Tihun, Southern Province. Initial reports that the wanted criminal was seeing his daughter were denied by President Bio, who insisted he did not know Mr Leijdekkers. The Mail approached the Sierra Leone government for comment. Footage obtained by Dutch media also shows Mr Leijdekkers at a private birthday party in March 2024 for Alusine Kanneh, Sierra Leone's immigration chief, where he presented a gift during the celebration. US magazine New Lines discovered that Mr Leijdekkers had recently taken legal control of the villas at Two Seasons through a Lebanese business associate. The article into Mr Leijdekkers' life in Freetown painted a picture of a man frequenting nightclubs and casinos accompanied by his driver and bodyguards, always teetotal, but also flush with cash, bestowing tips of '$500 to $1,000 for all the staff each time he visited'. Mr Leijdekkers is seemingly enjoying the high life in West Africa, having been seen with friends at a nightclub on the coast called Scarlet and getting into a row with revellers Mr Leijdekkers is mixing in influential circles in Sierre Leone. Here he is at a private birthday party for Alusine Kanneh, the country's immigration chief, presenting the politician with a gift Such amounts are unheard of in Sierra Leone, where the average monthly wage hovers somewhere between $40 and $150. Agnes Bio is a particular favourite of her father's, who has promoted her career in the foreign service. After serving as an 'advisor' in the foreign ministry, she is now accredited to Sierra Leone's permanent mission to the UN in New York and is therefore immune from arrest or detention or having her bags searched on entry or exit from the United States. In Freetown, the convicted Dutch criminal Mr Leijdekkers reportedly moves freely around with his own security detail and gave expensive imported 4x4s and limousines to several of the most influential ministers. The extent of his influence in the former British colony is nothing short of chilling, according to local journalist Kandeh Sesay. In an interview with crime reporter John van den Heuvel, for Dutch newspaper Panorama.nl, Mr Sesay spoke of deep-rooted criminal influence extending to the highest echelons of government. Mr Sesay, who reported on Mr Leijdekkers for years, eventually found himself forced to flee the country. He continues his investigative work from the United States because, he says that returning to Sierra Leone could be fatal. The threats he received left nothing to the imagination: journalists were reportedly offered thousands of dollars to stop writing about the Dutchman. Those who refused were warned: shut up or die. 'Leijdekkers is everywhere,' says Mr Sesay. 'From the president's family to the immigration service and customs at the port. Wherever you look, he is the man calling the shots.' According to the journalist, the cartel Leijdekkers is part of is so powerful that whistleblowers or troublesome journalists disappear without a second thought – through kidnapping, torture, or false accusations. The alleged aftermath of the video clip of the nightclub brawl involving Mr Leijdekkers certainly lends weight to those threats. In the footage a Lebanese reveller at Scarlet, a coastal club near Freetown, was apparently angry that Mr Leijdekkers and his entourage were being allowed to jump the queue snaking outside the nightspot on New Year's Eve, 2023. A fight erupted and the Lebanese, called Fawaz, smashed a bottle over one of Mr Leijdekkers' bodyguard's head. Hours later, as Fawaz left the club, he was brutally attacked in the underground car park. Seven shots rang out and Fawaz crumpled to the ground with both his kneecaps shattered. Mr Leijdekkers - from the son of a sex club boss in Breda, Holland - comes from a criminal family. His elder brother Wilhelmus was arrested in Istanbul on cocaine trafficking charges A police report said the bodyguard fired the shots but according to sources in the country, others believed Mr Leijdekkers himself was responsible. In a recent report, theGlobal Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crimeinvestigated Leijdekkers and tied him to the shipment. One of the authors, Josef Skrdlik, told the Mail: 'Our investigation has linked the Arconian to two other similar voyages by small cargo vessels from Freetown to North Africa in recent years, both organised by Leijdekkers' network. All three vessels were previously owned and managed by companies headquartered at the same German address, and had the same ship safety manager in Turkey. 'The two previous voyages were characterised by repeated loitering events near the Canary Islands, Morocco and Spain. Such activity may indicate potential drop-offs at sea, where cocaine is typically picked up by smaller boats and brought to shore. According to Spanish authorities, this is how the Arconian's cargo was to be offloaded. 'This modus operandi is becoming increasingly prominent in West Africa-Europe cocaine trafficking, and Leijdekkers' network appears to be a major player.' In May 2026, Mr Leijdekkers' elder brother Wilhelmus was arrested in Istanbul on cocaine trafficking charges, and extradited to the Netherlands the following month. Extraditing Leijdekkers to the Netherlands has proved to be virtually impossible. There is no extradition treaty between the two countries and widespread corruption casts a shadow over any potential co-operation. While the Netherlands attempts to recover millions and continues a global manhunt, the image is growing in Sierra Leone of a man who has entrenched himself deep in the political and economic infrastructure through power, money, and fear. For the time being, 'Bolle Jos' seems untouchable, and some observers believe Sierra Leone is in danger of unwittingly being turned into a narco state. Mr Leijdekkers' tentacles stretch much further from his west African bolthole to Turkey and Dubai and his organisation's turnover is estimated at up to £145million per month – or £1.7billion a year – by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service. His rise, from the pudgy son of a sex club boss in Breda, Holland, to one of the most influential 'narcos' in the world, appears to have relied on two factors – his uncanny ability to stay one step ahead of the law, and the ruthlessness with which he despatches anyone who dares cross him. By 2019, he was operating at the centre of an international cocaine network moving consignments through the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. Intercepted Sky Encrochat messages gave investigators an extraordinary insight into the scale of the operation and, prosecutors say, Mr Leijdekkers' position as one of its principal organisers. Before fleeing to West Africa, he was operating at the centre of an international cocaine network moving consignments through the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. Here Belgian customs officers are pictured using a mobile scanner to inspect a container He has adopted the pseudonym Omar Sheriff, but everyone knows him as 'Bolle' Jos (Dutch for chubby, though he has clearly toned up since that monicker was bestowed) The Dutch police say the seven tons of cocaine involved in the case for which he was eventually convicted may have represented only a fraction of the drugs passing through his network. And increasingly, violence became part of his business model. In one case, a consignment intended for Finland ended up at a company with no connection to the drugs. Leijdekkers responded by sending men to recover it. According to prosecutors, messages showed him directing his men to dominate the occupants, hold a driver at gunpoint and take control of the shipment. One employee was injured during the resulting robbery. A Rotterdam court later convicted Mr Leijdekkers of the offence and described the ease with which he organised violence as 'almost frivolous'. There were even more chilling allegations. In early 2020, prosecutors said, Mr Leijdekkers commissioned the killing of Utrecht gym owner Robin van Ouwerkerk, offering €200,000 for the job. Intercepted messages included the victim's address and a photograph, according to Dutch reports. The planned assassination was never carried out, but the Rotterdam court convicted Mr Leijdekkers of ordering the murder. His name has also been linked by Dutch investigators to the disappearance of Dutch-Moroccan Naima Jillal, a woman involved in the drugs world who vanished in Amsterdam in October 2019. Police say encrypted communications indicated that Mr Leijdekkers had a role in her disappearance, while photographs recovered from a seized phone appeared to show a naked woman's mutilated body whom investigators believe may have been Ms Jillal after she had been tortured. She has never been found. Mr Leijdekkers has not been convicted over Ms Jillal's disappearance, and the Dutch police continue to describe it as an investigation. The most revealing evidence of Mr Leijdekkers's rise may be found not in the streets but in the extraordinary quantities of money and valuables investigators say passed through his hands. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has calculated that he derived at least £190million in unlawful benefit from his criminal activities. The investigation has uncovered evidence of a man who did not simply spend his drug profits on cars, watches and nightlife, but attempted to turn them into an international portfolio of assets including property. According to prosecutors, encrypted communications revealed that Mr Leijdekkers bought an astonishing 975kg of gold, paying more than £40million for it in less than six months. He is believed to own proerty in Sierra Leone, Turkey and Dubai where he apparently has a place at The Grandeur Residences, a six-storey block on The Palm Crescent, Palm Jumeirah Mr Leijdekkers is said to glide on the 20-minute drive between Tokeh and the capital Freetown in a blacked-out Mercedes. Pictured, the Two Seasons in Tokeh Beach The mountains behind are topped with lush tropical greenery, and to the west, there's only the Atlantic, next-stop South America Investigators also uncovered evidence concerning property, including an apartment at the luxury Vogue Hotel Supreme in Bodrum, Turkey. Dutch police have long known that Mr Leijdekkers travelled between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and in 2023 investigators searched the homes and offices of members of his family after his parents and sister had travelled to Turkey, where they were suspected of having contact with him. Cash was found in euros, Turkish lira, Swiss francs and UAE dirhams, alongside expensive watches, jewellery and designer handbags. More recently, prosecutors have identified apartments in Dubai belonging to him and associates at the Grandeur Residences on the Palm Jumeirah, not far from a villa owned by David and Victoria Beckham. Two Bentleys and a Rolls-Royce were also among assets allegedly connected to Mr Leijdekkers's family. The picture that emerges is of a fugitive who built not merely a drugs business but an elaborate financial infrastructure around it – moving between Turkey and Dubai, buying gold and property and surrounding himself and his family with luxury goods. And while Dutch investigators have been trying to dismantle that empire from afar, Mr Leijdekkers has continued to enjoy the protection of distance. His move to Sierra Leone appears to have taken him from the familiar world of European ports and criminal networks into something potentially far more valuable to a fugitive: a hiding place in plain sight where, despite his convictions and international notoriety, he can live openly in the very heart of the political elite. Guy Weski, Mr Leijdekkers's lawyer in Rotterdam, was approached for comment. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) is supporting the life extension of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier (LNGC) being repurposed into a floating storage unit (FSU), helping lay the groundwork for Gabon’s emerging floating gas infrastructure and a wider push to unlock Africa’s offshore gas potential. Lloyd’s Register is delivering classification and technical assurance for the conversion of an LNG carrier into a floating storage unit forDixstone Lower Gulf FZCO, aPerencosister company. The formerLNG Bayelsacarrier, now under the temporary nameFSU LNG Cap Lopez, isundergoing conversionatDrydocks World Dubai. The sail-away of the repurposed unit is planned for Q3 2027. Once complete, the FSU will chart a new LNG storage course for Gabon’s offshore project, supporting liquefaction, storage, and export from a near-shore barge, while helping reduce routine gas flaring and improving overall energy efficiency. According to the classification society, the assignment includes extensive steel works, such as renewals and project-specific additions, new piping systems, installation of a boil-off gas module, and broader life-extension measures. This content is available after accepting the cookies. Drydocks World in charge of LNG vessel’s rebirth as FSU LR, which is working closely with Dixstone Lower Gulf FZCO and the shipyard to help assure the integrity and long-term operability of the asset in its new role, claims that such projects are increasingly seen as a faster and more cost-effective alternative to newbuild solutions, particularly for offshore gas developments. Sean Van der Post, Global Offshore Business Director at Lloyd’s Register, commented:“The FSU LNG Cap Lopez conversion reflects increasing momentum behind LNG carrier conversions and floating storage solutions as operators seek flexible, lower-impact ways to develop gas resources. Independent technical assurance and robust life-extension strategies are essential as assets are adapted to new operating profiles and environments. “Through our role on this project, LR continues to strengthen its position in the LNG and floating gas sector, supporting clients with trusted technical insight, regulatory confidence and practical solutions that enable safer, more resilient maritime and offshore energy operations worldwide.” This content is available after accepting the cookies. Drydocks World hires Svanehoj for LNGC-to-FSU conversion job Lloyd’s Register’s involvement spans the full scope of conversion and life-extension activities, providing classification, plan approval, survey and technical oversight to ensure that all modifications meet stringent safety, structural, and regulatory requirements. Michel Gotab, Managing Director at Dixstone Lower Gulf, said:“Dixstone is working closely with its many partners to deliver new project infrastructure, serving Perenco and the Republic of Gabon in maximizing the potential of the country’s natural gas resources. “As a new storage facility for LNG, the FSU LNG Cap Lopez is an integral part of the broader Cap Lopez project, a new gas backbone for Gabon for both local use and export.” The project is being carried out as part of a larger FLNG development to expand Gabon’s offshore gas infrastructure, increasing the country’s production capacity by approximately 105 million standard cubic feet per day. Take the spotlight and anchor your brand in the heart of the offshore world! Join us for a bigger impact and amplify your presence at the core hub of the offshore energy community!

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης In thereal estatemarket, the Blue Economy relies on the“2-Kilometer Approach.”A property gains substantial equity when situated adjacent to upgraded, “green” coastal infrastructure. For example, an apartment located next to a Smart & Green Marina (featuring electric boat charging, 5G networks, and a zero-carbon footprint) automatically commands a significant20–30% price premiumover a similar property within 2 km of a conventional marina. AsCorina Saias, Managing Director of Premier Realty (https://www.premier-realty.gr) points out, modern investment strategies require foresight: “Today, acquiring a luxury property is not a static decision. We advise our clients not to look solely at the current picture, but to focus on the blue development infrastructure set to materialize along the Riviera. Acquiring a property adjacent to upgraded infrastructure projects provides the strongest guarantee for long-term capital yield.” Blue Economy in Practice: Infrastructure Redefining Luxury Living on the Athenian Riviera 1. The Grand Promenade This is the landmark project unifying the entire waterfront: a continuous 22-kilometer pedestrian and bicycle path connecting six municipalities—from Kallithea all the way to Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni. 2. The Undergrounding of Poseidonos Avenue One of the most critical infrastructure works involves placing a 1.3 km section of Poseidonos Avenue underground at Ellinikon. 3. Smart & Green Marinas Next-generation marinas act as economic catalysts for the local property market. 4. The Ellinikon Metropolitan Park (The Green-Blue Lung) Spanning 2 million square meters, the Metropolitan Park at Ellinikon creates a lush, Mediterranean green sanctuary connecting the mountains to the sea. 5. Saronida Olympos Golf Project A strategic €840 million investment at the southern tip of the Riviera, featuring an 18-hole golf course, helipad, and a new 250-berth marina. Who Is This Market Attracting? As Mrs Corina Saias notes, “the Blue Economy creates a multi-dimensional ecosystem of buyers looking for far more than just a luxury home, the focus has shifted to the overall environment and lifestyle”. The upgraded Athenian Riviera now targets and attracts the following buyer profiles: The Athenian Riviera vs. Global Competition Why should a institutional investor or high-net-worth individual choose Athens over established hotspots like Cannes or Dubai? A side-by-side comparison reveals the unique market opportunity in Athens: The Competitive Advantage Athens offers the most accessible entry price in Europe for prime coastal luxury real estate, while simultaneously delivering higher rental yields than traditional European resort markets. Mrs Corina Saias, Managing Director of Premier Realty, states,“The future of luxury real estate in Athens is inextricably linked to the sustainability and innovation of the Blue Economy.” Explore related questions

L’accordo con l’Autorità Portuale prevede la realizzazione di un nuovo hub sulla costa orientale degli Emirati Arabi Uniti, aumentando la capacità container del gruppo fino a quasi 22 milioni di teu Dubai – A conferma delle trattative annunciate nei giorni scorsi, Dp World ha firmato un accordo con la Fujairah Port Authority per una concessione della durata di 50 anni, finalizzata allo sviluppo di due nuovi terminal sulla costa orientale degli Emirati Arabi Uniti: il terminal container e multipurpose di Al Rugaylat e il terminal per merci generali di Dibba. Il progetto darà vita a un nuovo hub portuale in acque profonde in grado di accogliere le portacontainer di ultima generazione. Il terminal di Al Rugaylat avrà una capacità annua di 2,5 milioni di teu, oltre a 1,7 milioni di tonnellate di merci varie e 190.000 ceu per il traffico veicoli. Il terminal di Dibba aggiungerà invece una capacità di 3,6 milioni di tonnellate di merci generali all’anno. Con l’entrata in funzione delle nuove infrastrutture, la capacità complessiva di movimentazione container di Dp World negli Emirati Arabi Uniti passerà dagli attuali 19,4 milioni a quasi 22 milioni di teu, rafforzando anche i servizi dedicati alle merci convenzionali e ai traffici Ro-Ro. I nuovi terminal saranno integrati con l’hub di Jebel Ali e con la Jafza attraverso la rete logistica di Dp World, creando una piattaforma intermodale in grado di offrire una catena logistica end-to-end sull’intero territorio degli Emirati. Lo sviluppo sarà realizzato per fasi e la costruzione richiederà circa 24-30 mesi dall’avvio dei lavori. L’investimento conferma la strategia di Dp World di rafforzare la propria presenza negli Emirati Arabi Uniti e di ampliare la capacità portuale in risposta alla crescita dei traffici internazionali. La creazione del nuovo polo di Fujairah consentirà inoltre di diversificare l’offerta logistica del gruppo, aumentando la resilienza della supply chain regionale e consolidando il ruolo del Paese come uno dei principali hub commerciali tra Asia, Medio Oriente, Africa ed Europa.

Con il terminal container e multipurpose di Al Rugaylat e il terminal per merci generali di Dibba, la capacità container del gruppo sfiora i 22 milioni di teu Dubai – A conferma delle trattative annunciate nei giorni scorsi, Dp World ha firmato un accordo con la Fujairah Port Authority per una concessione della durata di 50 anni, finalizzata allo sviluppo di due nuovi terminal sulla costa orientale degli Emirati Arabi Uniti: il terminal container e multipurpose di Al Rugaylat e il terminal per merci generali di Dibba. Il progetto darà vita a un nuovo hub portuale in acque profonde in grado di accogliere le portacontainer di ultima generazione. Il terminal di Al Rugaylat avrà una capacità annua di 2,5 milioni di teu, oltre a 1,7 milioni di tonnellate di merci varie e 190.000 ceu per il traffico veicoli. Il terminal di Dibba aggiungerà invece una capacità di 3,6 milioni di tonnellate di merci generali all’anno. Con l’entrata in funzione delle nuove infrastrutture, la capacità complessiva di movimentazione container di Dp World negli Emirati Arabi Uniti passerà dagli attuali 19,4 milioni a quasi 22 milioni di teu, rafforzando anche i servizi dedicati alle merci convenzionali e ai traffici Ro-Ro. I nuovi terminal saranno integrati con l’hub di Jebel Ali e con la Jafza attraverso la rete logistica di Dp World, creando una piattaforma intermodale in grado di offrire una catena logistica end-to-end sull’intero territorio degli Emirati. Lo sviluppo sarà realizzato per fasi e la costruzione richiederà circa 24-30 mesi dall’avvio dei lavori. L’investimento conferma la strategia di Dp World di rafforzare la propria presenza negli Emirati Arabi Uniti e di ampliare la capacità portuale in risposta alla crescita dei traffici internazionali. La creazione del nuovo polo di Fujairah consentirà inoltre di diversificare l’offerta logistica del gruppo, aumentando la resilienza della supply chain regionale e consolidando il ruolo del Paese come uno dei principali hub commerciali tra Asia, Medio Oriente, Africa ed Europa.

Por Redacción PortalPortuario @PortalPortuario DP World ha adquirido 700 camiones para ampliar su red de transporte de mercancías por carretera en el Golfo Pérsico, ofreciendo a sus clientes que se ubican en la zona del Consejo de Cooperación para los Estados Árabes del Golfo (GCC) mayor seguridad y eficiencia en el traslado de mercancías por toda la región. Esta inversión forma parte de la estrategia a largo plazo de la empresa para construir una red logística integrada que conecte puertos y terminales, zonas económicas y plataformas digitales, con el fin de ofrecer a los clientes soluciones integrales a lo largo de toda la cadena de suministro. Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, director ejecutivo y gerente general de DP World GCC, declaró que “esta es una inversión a largo plazo en nuestra red multimodal y en los clientes que comercian en el CCG. A medida que crece la demanda regional, estamos ampliando nuestras capacidades para brindar a los clientes una red integrada en la que puedan confiar en cada etapa”. La flota añadirá hasta 35.000 viajes mensuales, dando soporte al transporte terrestre nacional e internacional para la clientela de DP World en el GCC. La flota cubrirá las necesidades de primera, media y última milla en toda la región y facilitará el transporte eficiente de carga en contenedores y sin contenedores. Raveen Guliani, director de operaciones de logística de DP World GCC, agregó que “nuestros clientes buscan seguridad, fiabilidad, eficiencia y soluciones de cadena de suministro más sostenibles. La capacidad de transportar mercancías, contenedores, vehículos y productos perecederos a través de nuestra red interconectada de almacenes y puertos les proporciona precisamente eso. Estos nuevos camiones son de bajo consumo de combustible y cumplen con la normativa de emisiones Euro V; además, en el futuro exploraremos la posibilidad de incorporar vehículos de energía verde”. Los nuevos camiones se están desplegando progresivamente en toda la operación. Complementan la capacidad actual de la flota de la red de DP World, que ha aumentado a alrededor de 3000 movimientos de camiones por día en toda la región. En los últimos meses, DP World ha abierto corredores francos de vía rápida que conectan los puntos de entrada de la costa este directamente con el Puerto de Jebel Ali, ha establecido un corredor franco desde Sohar en Omán y ha aprovechado las opciones de ruta del Mar Rojo a través de la Terminal de Contenedores Sur del Puerto Islámico de Jeddah, desviando más de 350.000 unidades equivalentes a veinte pies (TEU) por tierra tras la interrupción del transporte marítimo.