It’s been a year of upheaval in the Middle East, and the outcome — regime change — is sparking optimism among trade analysts that some markets will become major growth markets for global trade. Nowhere is that more true than in Egypt, where the country’s new leaders are pursuing a more populist approach than their predecessors, who enacted a series of reforms that deregulated foreign trade, modernized banking and financial regulations, and reduced corporate taxes. And there’s still a chance that the United States might offer Egypt the opportunity to negotiate a free trade agreement.
Other countries are growing as well, in some cases becoming critical logistics markets. Companies such as DB Schenker, TALKE Logistics and Kuehne + Nagel are pumping millions of dollars into Saudi Arabia, and the government is funding major warehousing and transportation projects, including the $8 billion Prince Abdul Azis bin Mousaed Economic City. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, emerged over the last 20 years as the region’s main logistics hub, with Dubai Logistics City and the Jebel Ali Free Zone among the world’s most innovative projects. But other emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, also are investing heavily in infrastructure.
Press Releases
DP World opts for Gloria, Kalmar’s latest reachstackers for the new Jebel Ali Terminal 3
Cargotec
Gulftainer’s UAE Terminal Ranked No. 1 Port in EMEA
Logistics Providers
Port of Salalah achieves top port rankings regionally and globally in new JOC study
Port of Salalah
STC Group purchases NAUTIS Simulator Classroom for Egyptian River Transport Authorities
Short-Sea Shipping
Road Transport: Driving Regional and Intercontinental Trade Through the Middle East
Saudi terminal to expand as trade with Asia grows
25 Jul 2015
As the container trade from Asia to the Middle East grows, Saudi Arabia is expanding the container-handling capacity of its ports, opening a new terminal at Dammam this spring.
Suez Canal revenue decline in September suggests tonnage slowing
27 Oct 2014
Revenue gained through Suez Canal tolls in September rose 6.3 percent year-over-year but fell 8 percent from August, suggesting freight growth on the Egyptian waterway might be slowing.
APMT orders mega-ship-capable cranes for new Turkey facility
12 Aug 2014
APM Terminals Izmir ordered three ship-to-shore quay cranes and 10 rubber-tire gantry cranes from ZPMC for its new container terminal at Turkey’s port of Petkim.
New Teamsters Port Strategy on Display at LA-Long Beach
28 Apr 2014
A picket line established by independent truck drivers briefly shut down a container terminal at the Port of Long Beach today, but the impact was confined to one facility and was unlikely to result in terminal closures elsewhere in the harbor.
Saudia Unveils Online Tool to Expedite Cargo Clearance
22 Jul 2013
Rapidly expanding Saudi Arabian Airlines released a new online service to improve procedures for shippers and forwarders