Etihad Airways has launched cargo services to Dhaka with the start of its four-times-weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and the Bangladeshi capital. Operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, the new route adds widebody belly-hold cargo capacity, strengthening air freight links between the UAE and Bangladesh and supporting trade across the South Asia corridor. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said, “The UAE is home to one of the largest Bangladeshi communiti

Oman and Sudan have signed an agreement to boost cooperation in logistics and supply chain operations. The focus areas include ports, maritime transport, railways, and the exchange of technical information to improve how goods are moved and managed between the two countries. The deal aims to make logistics systems more connected by improving coordination between transport authorities in both countries. This includes sharing operational data and expertise across air, sea, and

AKI Logistics has signed a three-year agreement with NMC Group Services to manage warehousing and logistics operations for the healthcare provider across the UAE. The partnership will cover the storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical consumables, supporting deliveries to more than 80 NMC hospitals, clinics and medical facilities nationwide. The logistics operations will be managed from AKI Logistics' facility in Dubai Investments Park. The agreement covers end

Turkish Cargo has introduced TK AUTO, a new air cargo product designed for the automotive industry, offering dedicated services for transporting both vehicle parts and finished vehicles. The product aims to improve the movement of time-sensitive automotive shipments by providing specialised handling for different types of cargo. The new service has two categories. TK AUTO PART is designed for critical components such as engines, transmissions, braking systems, airbags and ele

Etihad Cargo has upgraded its digital customer platform by adding five new languages to its website and introducing new online shipment management features. The updates allow customers to book, track and modify cargo shipments more easily while improving shipment visibility across different markets. The carrier's website is now available in Japanese, German, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic, making its online services accessible to a wider customer base. The move comes as cargo op

Qatar Post plans to reshape its postal operations to better support e-commerce growth by shifting towards digital systems, automated processes and integrated logistics services. The approach focuses on redesigning supply chains to handle higher parcel volumes and faster digital trade flows. The changes are expected to support the growing e-commerce sector in Qatar and the wider region. By moving towards more automated and digitally managed operations, postal networks can redu

CargoCrew has been appointed as the general sales agent (GSA) for Saudia Cargo in Algeria. The role will cover sales support, booking coordination, and local handling of cargo operations for the airline in the country. The move is expected to improve access to air freight services for businesses in Algeria by making it easier to book space and manage shipments. This can help exporters and importers move goods such as industrial products, pharmaceuticals and perishables with m

Hendrick Logistics has completed a direct temperature-controlled road freight shipment from Ireland to Dubai under the TIR Carnet system, covering more than 8,000km across 15 countries. The development highlights a growing alternative for trade between Europe and the GCC. Direct road freight can reduce the need for cargo transfers, lowering handling risks and helping protect sensitive products during transit. It also provides shippers with another transport option between air

Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its freighter network across East and Southeast Asia, adding more flights to key markets including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The move comes as demand grows for cargo connections between Asian manufacturing centres and markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The expansion is expected to improve cargo movement for industries such as electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, perishables a

Oman has carried out a drone-based cargo trial, transporting 100 kilograms of medical supplies from Muscat to Al Jabal Al Akhdar over a distance of about 100 kilometers. The move is part of efforts to explore advanced air mobility systems for logistics and transport use in the country. The test shows how unmanned aircraft could be used in the future to move urgent goods faster, especially in areas where road travel is difficult due to terrain. This can help improve delivery t

AD Ports Group has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered business intelligence headquarters (IHQ) that will be used across 20 workstreams covering its ports, logistics, shipping, free zones and digital businesses. The platform will introduce thousands of AI-powered digital workers to support daily operations, with the aim of improving efficiency, decision-making and customer services across the group's global network. The rollout is expected to help automate routin

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) handled 5,841 tonnes of air cargo in May 2026, compared to 4,114 tonnes in April, a rise of 32.6%. The increase points to higher freight movement through Jordan’s main airport during the month. This jump signifies increased movement of shipments through cargo terminals, which can reduce delays for importers and exporters when demand picks up. It also suggests airlines and freight operators had more capacity filled compared to the previo

Qatar-based Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has partnered with the UAE's Meydan Free Zone to provide integrated business setup and logistics services for companies entering the UAE and expanding across the GCC. Under the agreement, businesses setting up in Meydan Free Zone will be able to access services ranging from company incorporation to freight, warehousing and last-mile delivery through a coordinated offering. The partnership aims to reduce the time and complexity involv

BEYOND DIPLOMACY By Khusrau Abbasi Diplomatic agreements are usually examined through political and strategic lenses. Yet, for the world of logistics, their consequences are measured differently—in freight rates, insurance premiums, cargo volumes, supply chain resilience and business confidence. The recently concluded 14-point understanding between the United States and Iran has attracted considerable attention among diplomats and geopolitical analysts. However, beyond the he

Saudi Arabian Railways and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane are set to develop rail freight and logistics projects across the Middle East and North Africa region, aiming to improve cargo movement and strengthen supply chain links. The focus is on better connecting rail networks with ports, warehouses and logistics hubs to speed up the movement of goods and reduce reliance on road transport. This is expected to support smoother regional and cross-border freight flows. Both sides

Jordan and Tunisia have launched a new initiative to strengthen trade flows, logistics links and supply chain connectivity between the two countries, aiming to improve movement of goods and expand access to wider regional markets. The plan focuses on making trade between the two sides easier by improving transport links, reducing bottlenecks and sharing information on markets and regulations. Jordan is expected to support access to Mashreq markets, while Tunisia will help con

Oman is expanding green logistics, with more than 5,900 EVs registered in the first half of 2026, as it upgrades ports and tests low-emission delivery systems to cut transport emissions and improve supply chain efficiency. The focus is on making freight movement, urban deliveries and port operations cleaner and more efficient. Electric vehicle adoption in logistics is rising, supported by a wider charging network that now has over 160 points. These are being expanded along hi

DP World and Wilo Group will expand cooperation on artificial intelligence-led logistics, smart supply chains and sustainable water technology under a new agreement signed in Germany. The focus is on using digital tools to improve how goods and industrial equipment move across global trade routes. The main aim is to apply AI in logistics hubs and ports to make operations more efficient. This includes better planning of shipments, improved tracking of cargo, and faster respons

Qatar and Uzbekistan are set to explore new trade and investment opportunities focused on improving supply chains, logistics links, and cross-border movement of goods between the Gulf and Central Asia. The plan includes wider cooperation between businesses and easier access for companies to operate in both markets. The initiative aims to increase trade flows by improving how goods move across sectors such as manufacturing, services, and industrial products. Better logistics c

Air cargo activity in the Middle East and South Asia region continued to grow in the week of June 8–14, according to WorldACD data, even with persistent shifting trends in the Middle East. Volumes increased both week-on-week and year-on-year, showing stable trade movement through the region. The region recorded a +22% year-on-year rise in cargo volumes, while weekly traffic also increased. Dubai saw a +12% weekly increase in chargeable air cargo, and overall Middle East outbo