Amid new routes emerging and the Middle East exploring alternative ways of moving cargo, TruKKer has launched road freight corridors linking the GCC and Jordan with Türkiye, Europe and Central Asia, offering an alternative route for cargo moving into and out of the Gulf. The service provides door-to-door transit of six to nine days between Türkiye and the UAE, while Europe-UAE movements take 18 to 24 days. Gaurav Biswas, Founder and CEO, TruKKer, said: “The Gulf's supply chai

DHL Express and Absa Group are expanding support for African SMEs looking to trade across borders, with the partnership potentially strengthening trade links between African markets and the Middle East. The two companies have signed an MoU to expand DHL’s GoTrade programme across Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme will provide SMEs with training, trade tools and access to logistics and financial services covering cross-border trade, e-commerce and business development. DHL wil

SAL Logistics Services has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft Arabia to explore the use of artificial intelligence, cloud technology and data analytics in its logistics operations. The collaboration will focus on identifying digital solutions that can improve operational efficiency and customer experience, while supporting SAL’s digital transformation plans. The companies will also look at potential AI and data applications across SAL’s operations. For

Scanwell Logistics UAE has introduced in-house customs clearance services for import and export cargo, adding customs handling to its existing freight forwarding, transport, warehousing and delivery operations. The move is expected to give the company more direct control over customs processes and improve coordination between different stages of cargo movement. Having a dedicated customs team can also help reduce handover points, improve shipment visibility and address docume

Aqaba’s ports handled 7.978 million tonnes of cargo in the first seven months of 2026, up 49% from 5.363 million tonnes a year earlier, as the Jordanian gateway continued to support cargo flows across the Middle East. The ports received 992 vessels, while the container port recorded 298,291 loaded containers entering Jordan and 58,444 containers exported. The higher volumes come despite increased shipping and insurance costs linked to regional tensions. Aqaba provides an impo

Vision Bank has launched a short-term trade finance service for SMEs involved in cross-border trade, targeting businesses in markets including the GCC, India and Southeast Asia. The Abu Dhabi-based bank will work with fintechs and trade finance platforms to provide working capital linked to real trade transactions. The service could help SMEs manage cash flow while buying, moving and selling goods across borders. Easier access to short-term finance can support import and expo

Unilever and Union Coop have started using an electric truck for deliveries between Unilever’s warehouse and Union Coop’s distribution centre in the UAE. The truck is expected to save 8,900 litres of fuel and reduce about 23.9 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The route will later be extended to selected retail stores. The deployment is aimed at testing electric transport in daily FMCG distribution, where high loads, regular routes and reliable delivery times are important.

Egypt and China have agreed to align Egypt’s Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative as part of plans to develop Egypt into a regional hub for industry, logistics and the digital economy, connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. “We have agreed to launch the third phase of expansions of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which launches a new phase of business in key sectors such as renewable energy, automobile manufacturing, textiles an

Queen Alia International Airport handled 7,594 tonnes of cargo in July 2026, up 16% from June, while volumes were almost unchanged year-on-year, with a 0.2% decline from July 2025. The rise came as overall airport activity strengthened during the summer period. The monthly increase points to higher demand for air cargo capacity through Jordan, supporting the movement of goods through the country during a busier travel season. For freight operators and forwarders, the increase

Qatar’s Hamad, Ruwais and Doha ports handled 119,963 tonnes of bulk cargo in August 2026, a 168% increase from July, according to data from Mwani Qatar. Livestock handling also rose 191% to 5,989 heads, while vessel calls increased 13% to 133 during the month. The increase in cargo volumes points to stronger activity across Qatar’s maritime logistics network, supporting the movement of goods and essential supplies through the country. The ports also handled 49,040 TEUs of con

Egypt’s exports to China nearly tripled to US$840.8 million in the first half of 2026, helping push Egypt-China trade to US$11.3 billion, according to CAPMAS. The growth adds momentum to trade between the Middle East and Asia, with higher cargo flows creating opportunities for freight and logistics networks connecting Egypt with Chinese markets. Egyptian imports from China also rose 14.3% to US$10.4 billion during the period. The increase in two-way trade is likely to support

Global air cargo demand rose 3.9% year-on-year in July 2026, with Middle Eastern carriers recording a 1.7% increase in demand. Capacity in the region grew 4%, while global capacity rose 1.7%, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). North America recorded the strongest demand growth at 4.8%, followed by Europe at 4.4% and Asia-Pacific at 4.1%. The Middle East’s continued capacity growth provides more room for carriers to support trade flows and maintai

Oman has launched the second phase of its Sky Bridge initiative, using a cargo drone to carry up to 150kg of medical supplies and equipment from Salalah to the Al Halaniyat Islands. The Sahm drone can fly at more than 120km/h and at altitudes of up to 2,000 metres, providing a new option for moving essential supplies to hard-to-reach areas. The trial could help Oman assess how unmanned aircraft can support last-mile logistics, particularly where distance, terrain and limited

Air cargo volumes from the Middle East & South Asia (MESA) rose 4% week on week in the week to August 23, taking volumes 7% above the same period last year, according to WorldACD Market Data. MESA-Europe traffic increased 3%, with volumes from Dubai up 6%. The increase shows continued demand for air freight from the region and supports trade flows between the Middle East, Europe and South Asia. Stronger cargo movement can also help carriers and forwarders plan capacity around

The Pakistan Business Council Qatar (PBCQ) has launched a 60-day plan to increase Qatar-Pakistan trade, focusing on expanding business links, bringing more Pakistani SMEs and large companies into its network and creating new trade opportunities. The plan will also support Pakistani businesses seeking to use Qatar as a base to reach wider GCC and African markets. PBCQ will establish links with Qatar Chamber, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatar Financi

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) is expanding its Aerospace Supply Chain zone with a new Suppliers Complex at Dubai South, adding 88 units for aerospace suppliers, SMEs and specialised service providers. The three-level facility is expected to be completed by end-2028. The complex will provide space for maintenance service providers, aircraft parts traders and other aerospace companies, with a focus on start-ups and SMEs. By bringing more suppliers and services into

GCC’s leading logistics company—Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC)—is adding an additional route for frozen cargo into Qatar. Extending its cold chain services from vessel handling to temperature-controlled storage and cross-border distribution, it completed its first-ever frozen bulk vessel operation in the Sultanate of Oman. Usually, frozen goods enter Oman in standard containers, but handling the first full frozen bulk vessel demanded specialised cold chain expertise at every

In a development aimed at improving transport links and the movement of goods, Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed four agreements covering roads, railways, postal services and aviation. Two of the agreements are MoUs focused on land transport and railways, including technical studies, knowledge sharing and capacity building. The agreements are expected to support the rehabilitation of Syria’s road and railway networks and improve land-based trade links with Saudi Arabia. They

Dubai Customs’ Air Cargo Centres Management processed about 18.2 million customs transactions in the first half of 2026, up 53% from 11.9 million a year earlier. Shipment weight also increased 47% to around 1.3 million tonnes, highlighting rising cargo and e-commerce activity through Dubai’s air freight gateways. The growth is supporting faster movement of goods through Dubai, as businesses handle higher shipment volumes and increasingly time-sensitive e-commerce orders. The

Further strengthening its operations, FedEx has secured 30 IATA CEIV Pharma certifications across its global air hubs and cargo handling facilities, thus boosting its ability to handle time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments across its network, including connections serving the Middle East. The milestone supports the movement of healthcare products through global trade lanes linking major markets in the region and beyond. The certifications cover facilities i