The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) is targeting more European investment to expand its industrial, logistics and maritime activities and strengthen its links with global supply chains. Norway is among the markets being targeted, with investment opportunities covering smart ports, digital systems, green maritime fuels and maritime services. SCZONE Chairman Moustafa Shaikhon said the zone has attracted investment from companies in more than 30 countries across industrial, lo

The UAE and Argentina have launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at expanding market access for goods and services and increasing trade between the two countries. The agreement could support smoother movement of products across sectors including minerals, energy, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals and aerospace. The proposed CEPA is expected to create wider opportunities for businesses to access each market and support stronger suppl

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has signed agreements with Alstom, Progress Rail and Greenbrier to strengthen its freight operations under the Kingdom’s Phosphate 3 expansion project. The deals cover 33 new locomotives, 782 freight cars and maintenance services, helping increase rail freight capacity and improve the movement of minerals to processing facilities and export points. The agreements were signed during InnoTrans, the international transport technology trade fair in Ber

Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous has secured orders for more than 330 Hili cargo aircraft through over 11 agreements with local and international partners since September 2025. More than 70 per cent of these agreements are with companies outside the UAE, indicating growing international demand for autonomous air cargo solutions. The orders are expected to support the wider use of unmanned aircraft in middle-mile logistics, offering operators another way to move goods across re

Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its Nigeria network with four new weekly flights to Port Harcourt and increased frequencies to Lagos and Kano. The new route is expected to strengthen trade links between Nigeria and the MENA region, supporting the movement of goods and improving access to international markets. Lagos will have 21 weekly flights and Kano 11, bringing the airline’s total operations in Nigeria to 53 weekly flights. The expanded network will provide businesses wit

Oman’s logistics sector is set to support economic growth as the country’s GDP is expected to grow 3.5% in both 2026 and 2027, with logistics, manufacturing and public investment supporting non-oil activity, according to data from Standard Chartered. The bank also highlighted strong activity across logistics, manufacturing, re-export activity and energy-linked infrastructure. The Sultanate’s ports, industrial zones and logistics infrastructure are helping strengthen cargo and

Abu Dhabi Customs and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) will exchange foreign trade data from customs ports to support the movement and clearance of goods across the emirate. The agreement will allow the two entities to share customs and product information through electronic channels. The data exchange is expected to help customs and quality authorities process goods more efficiently, improve product checks and ensure shipments meet safety and regulatory req

Egypt is set to establish an Austrian logistics zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), giving Austrian companies a base to store, handle and distribute goods to Arab and African markets. The development is aimed at supporting the movement of Austrian exports through Egypt and into key regional destinations. The zone could strengthen links between Austrian manufacturers and markets across the Middle East and Africa. It could also support demand for warehousing, road tr

Jordan and Russia are set to focus on cross-border trade and logistics, with measures to improve customs data exchange, regulatory coordination and market access. The cooperation aims to make the movement of goods between the two markets more efficient and create wider trade opportunities. The two countries will also strengthen cooperation in transport infrastructure, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food security and investment. Jordan has highlighted its positio

GWC expands UAE network with two new subsidiariesGWC Group has expanded its UAE operations with two new subsidiaries, a partnership with Meydan Free Zone and a growing Quick-Commerce network. The logistics group is also expanding its operations in Oman and Saudi Arabia, as it builds more regional options for customers moving goods across the GCC. During the first half of 2026, GWC operated multimodal routes linking Qatar with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. These inc

DHL Express has started a new weekly freighter service between Bahrain and Johannesburg, using a DHL Express B767/F aircraft. The direct flight adds a new link between the Gulf and South Africa and increases cargo capacity through the DHL Johannesburg Hub. The service is expected to support trade flows between the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and other global markets. It will serve businesses across sectors including healthcare, technology, manufacturing and cross-border e

Dubai’s warehouse rental rates rose almost 12.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, while total rental value reached AED1.8 billion ($490 million), according to Cavendish Maxwell. Around 10,000 warehouse leases were signed during the period, with renewals rising 22% to 8,200. The leasing activity reflects continued demand for warehouse space from businesses managing storage, distribution and supply chain operations. Nearly 70% of leases were for units smaller than 5,000

Dubai Customs has launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, with 26 initiatives covering trade facilitation, security and compliance, economic partnerships and customs services. The plan includes six strategic objectives to guide the department’s work through 2030. A key part of the plan is to integrate ports, entry points, free zones and trade-related services. For cargo and logistics companies, better integration between these points can support smoother cargo movement and imp

DHL Express UAE has signed a cooperation agreement with Fazaa to offer its members discounts on international shipments and preferential rates on heavyweight shipments. Fazaa members can receive a 50% discount on international inbound shipments and 45% on international outbound shipments at DHL Express service points across the UAE. The agreement gives Fazaa members access to lower shipping rates when sending or receiving international shipments. For businesses and individual

RAKEZ is set to strengthen logistics connectivity in Ras Al Khaimah by linking rail, ports, transport networks and industrial facilities. The focus is on improving cargo movement and market access for companies operating across logistics, manufacturing, engineering and related sectors. The connected infrastructure can give businesses more options to move goods between warehouses, production sites, ports and regional markets. It can also support companies setting up distributi

Air cargo volumes from the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) region to the US rose 12% in week 37 compared with week 7, according to WorldACD Market Data. The increase was supported by stronger cargo flows from India and Bangladesh. India-US volumes rose 14% over the period, while Bangladesh recorded a 58% increase. The growth points to stronger demand on key MESA-US trade lanes and provides more cargo opportunities for airlines and freight forwarders serving the US market. S

Dior has opened a 7,200-square-metre Regional Distribution Centre at EZDubai Logistics Hub in Dubai South to support its Middle East operations. The two-level facility will manage inventory, order fulfilment and boutique replenishment, while also supporting Dior’s e-commerce activities in the UAE. The centre places inventory closer to Dior’s regional markets, helping the company respond faster to demand and replenish boutiques more efficiently. For the logistics sector, this

Shinas Port handled 2.34 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, with imports making up 2.32 million tonnes and exports 18,802 tonnes. The port also recorded 103 transshipment operations, which handled 2.3 million tonnes of cargo, up 30% from the same period last year. Building and construction materials were the main imported goods, while general cargo accounted for most exports. The figures show the port’s role in moving goods into and out of Oman, particularly f

Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have launched a direct freight rail service between Fujairah Terminals and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). The service will run three times a week and allows shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners to book ICAD as the destination and customs clearance point. The service moves containers around 200km from Fujairah to ICAD, where customs clearance, inspection and cargo release can be completed. ICAD has also been assigned the

The Sharjah-Oman logistics corridor handled cargo worth AED1.7 billion in its first three months, with more than 34,000 truck movements and over 32,000 customs declarations. Cargo value was up 66.26% from the same period last year, according to the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority. Launched on May 17, the corridor links Sharjah’s ports and logistics hubs with Oman through the Khatmat Malaha and Al Madam border crossings. It connects with Sohar, Duqm and Salalah