Saudi Arabia has introduced its first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck with autonomous driving technology, a move that could support cleaner and more efficient freight transport across long-distance logistics routes. Designed for heavy cargo operations, the truck runs on hydrogen fuel and produces zero carbon emissions during use. It can travel up to 1,500 kilometres on a single refuelling cycle and can be refuelled within minutes, addressing some of the operational challeng

In an interview, Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir Holding, said the company is preparing to introduce drone cargo operations and electric aircraft as the air cargo industry looks for ways to address rising fuel costs and improve efficiency. Osman said SolitAir has signed agreements with three operators involved in emerging aviation technologies. Drone-based cargo operations are expected to begin around 2027, while electric aircraft could enter service in early 2028. He said fuel

Egypt is set to establish a dedicated Japanese industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, aiming to strengthen trade links, diversify supply chains and expand manufacturing and logistics activity. The move is aimed at attracting Japanese companies looking to base production closer to key global shipping routes linking Asia, Africa and Europe. The Suez Canal corridor is expected to support faster cargo movement and smoother supply chain flows. His Excellency Badr Abdelat

Etihad Rail Freight is expanding its cold-chain logistics capabilities through the use of refrigerated rail containers, as it looks to increase the movement of temperature-sensitive cargo across the UAE. The latest operation involved the transport of fresh fish from Al Sila' Port to Abu Dhabi Fish Market in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperative Society (ADFCS). The development highlights the growing role of rail in handling cargo that requires strict temperatur

Qatar Airways Cargo transported more than 1.43 million tonnes of air freight in the 2025-26 financial year, while maintaining a 12% share of the global air cargo market, according to the airline's latest results. The carrier also launched a new direct freighter service connecting Bogota and Dallas Fort Worth. The latest figures underline the continued importance of air cargo in supporting global trade flows. The additional freighter service adds capacity between Latin America

Dubai Chambers and South Africa’s Western Cape province are working to strengthen trade flows and improve supply chain connectivity between the two markets, creating new opportunities for businesses involved in the movement of goods. The effort is expected to support exporters, importers and logistics providers by improving access to trade routes linking Africa, the Middle East and other international markets. Stronger commercial links could help companies move products more

Melbourne Avalon Airport and the Australia Saudi Logistics Alliance (ASL Alliance) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving freight connectivity between Australia and Saudi Arabia and supporting the development of direct air cargo links between the two countries. “As a key international gateway, Melbourne Avalon Airport is uniquely positioned to support direct air cargo services between the two countries,” Sam Jamsheedi, President and Chairman, Austr

Kale Logistics Solutions and Dubai-based e-Smart Logistics have signed a strategic partnership to provide airlines with package-level tracking and end-to-end visibility for e-commerce and high-value cargo shipments. The agreement will combine Kale air cargo technology with e-Smart Logistics' logistics capabilities to support airlines handling growing volumes of specialised cargo. The partnership is expected to help carriers improve visibility across the supply chain by allowi

Queen Alia International Airport handled 4,114 tonnes of air cargo in April 2026, according to Airport International Group. This is a 44.3% increase compared to March 2026. The data shows stronger cargo movement through the airport during the month, indicating higher freight activity across key routes in the Middle East, where air cargo continues to play a key role in regional trade flows and connectivity between Asia, Europe and Africa. Nicolas Deviller, Chief Executive Offi

Egypt is set to establish a global logistics distribution hub in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) to expand cargo handling, storage and redistribution activities across international trade routes. The hub will be developed as part of efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen the country’s role in regional and global supply chains, thereby expanding its presence in the Middle East. The project will focus on creating a central logistics base to move goods more e

DWTC Free Zone has partnered with DHL Express to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding into international markets through logistics access and trade support. The initiative will help member companies improve their ability to scale globally and navigate cross-border trade. More than 2,500 companies in the DWTC Free Zone are expected to benefit from the collaboration, which aims to reduce barriers to international expansion and improve readiness for glo

In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir Holding, said the TIACA Executive Summit 2026 aims at strengthening preparedness, improving coordination across the cargo ecosystem and applying lessons learned from recent supply chain challenges. Osman said the air cargo industry should focus on understanding what worked well during recent disruptions and use those experiences to improve future responses. He stressed that airlines, customs authorities,

Trade and logistics cooperation between Oman and Azerbaijan is expanding, with the two countries focusing on improving cargo movement and linking major ports and free zones such as Port of Baku, Alat Free Economic Zone, and SOHAR Port and Freezone to support smoother regional trade flows. The cooperation is aimed at making shipping routes more efficient by reducing handling delays and improving coordination between port operators. This can help containers move faster between

Cargo load factors in the Middle East increased in April 2026 as airlines operated with tighter capacity, showing stronger utilisation of available cargo space across regional and international networks, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association. The increase highlighted the region’s continued role in supporting global cargo flows and maintaining connectivity on major trade routes. “Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven b

Dubai Customs has introduced a digital monitoring system called Shahin to track trucks and cargo in real time across entry points in the emirate. The system is designed to improve shipment visibility, reduce delays, and strengthen control over goods moving through customs routes. The platform uses electronic smart seals placed on trucks after clearance. These seals allow authorities to monitor routes digitally and receive alerts if a vehicle changes path or shows unusual move

In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir Holding, said Africa remains a key focus market, driven by growing trade activity, expanding economies and increasing demand for air cargo services across the continent. Osman said Africa's cargo market remains fragmented, with only a limited number of operators serving several markets. He noted that there is significant opportunity to strengthen cargo connectivity between the UAE and African countries,

Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation said new steps led by Dubai Customs have been put in place to keep trade moving and reduce delays in cargo movement amid recent regional and global disruptions. The measures include faster customs processing, alternative shipping routes through other ports, and longer transit times for goods entering and moving through Dubai. The changes are meant to reduce pressure on supply chains and avoid delays in the movement of essential and com

Air freight capacity has increased across the Middle East with major airlines running at stronger levels, freighter demand moving above pre-crisis volumes, and Asia–Europe routes adding more space. Emirates is operating close to 90% capacity, Qatar Airways around 75%, while Gulf Air and Etihad have also lifted operations. Road and multimodal freight continue to move steadily, though port congestion and cost differences remain on some routes, said Tobias Maier, CEO DHL Global

The three-day event will bring together air cargo leaders, airlines, logistics companies and policymakers in Warsaw to discuss opportunities and developments shaping the global cargo industry, including e-commerce growth, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, sustainability and supply chain efficiency. Hosted by LOT Polish Airlines and Port Polska, the event comes at a time when the air cargo sector is dealing with fast changes in trade routes, rising e-commerce demand, an

In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir said, e-commerce has emerged as the top cargo segment in global freight flows, with strong movement from China into Africa via the Middle East, and return shipments from Africa going into the Indian subcontinent and onward into China. He said the pattern is shaping air cargo demand during periods of disruption. Osman said e-commerce currently ranks number one in freight movement, ahead of pharmaceuticals