Cargo ships fearing inspections
Iraq-bound cargo ships docking in Dubai are reluctant to sail for Basra because they fear intensified naval inspections by the UN's Multinational Interception Force intensified after the ill-fated Zainab incident, the Gulf News reports. Crewmen have denounced the inspections as "piracy", in which ships are halted in mid-journey and "ransacked" by inspectors who descend upon them by helicopter.
Sita to automate cargo operations
Qatar Airways has selected Sita's Supercargo to automate all aspects of its cargo operations, from reservations to final delivery and transfer. Using the Application Service Provider (ASP) model, Sita will combine software, implementation, infrastructure, service and support of SuperCargo on a rental basis with Qatar Airways paying only for access to, and use of the application.
Aramex expands web capabilities
Aramex International has expanded its internet capabilities by offering customers the choice of operation in Arabic and French. The multi-lingual service portal, which can be accessed at www.aramex.com, is in line with the company's endeavour to incorporate e-commerce in all its operations, Aramex said.
New authority formed
Dubai Customs, Dubai Ports Authority and Jebel Ali Free Zone have been merged into one authority titled the Public Corp for Ports, Customs and Free Zone, according to local newspaper reports. The new corporation will have financial and administrative independence and will be run on a commercial basis.
Good show by Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo has reported a 25.1-per-cent increase in revenue and a 24.2-per-cent jump in tonnage carried during the last financial year. Emirates SkyCargo, the freight arm of UAE's Emirates airline, said it recorded Dh1.1 billion ($299 million) in revenue and lifted 335,194 tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2000-2001. Cargo's contribution to Emirates' operating revenue was 17.3 per cent (18.4 per cent to airline transport revenues) during the year.
Port on study to provide internet
Saudi Ports Authority is studying ways of providing internet services to businessmen, a meeting of key industrialists in Riyadh was told. The issue was discussed during talks between SPA President and State Minister Dr Abdulaziz Al Manie and Saudi businessmen, the Riyadh Daily reported.
Study says adopt unified approach
A study commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Housing has urged Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries to adopt a unified approach in combating the dangers of sub-standard ships and dubious operators. The study was conducted by the German-based Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISEL).
Transport network accord signed
Middle Eastern Arab countries moved toward launching a major regional transport network at a ministerial session held in Beirut. Ministers from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE and the Palestinian Authority signed an accord that provides for open-ended works by each country to develop an integrated network of roads, railways, seaports and airports across the 13 member states of UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
Tanker fined $40,900
Dubai has fined a tanker Dh150,000 ($40,900) for dumping oil off the UAE coast, still recovering from a spill last month, the Gulf News reported. Hussein Lootah, Dubai municipality's deputy director for environmental affairs, said the tanker was caught dumping waste oil off Port Rashid.
Emirates completing acquisition
The Emirates Group is completing its acquisition of 51 per cent stake in Dubai-based Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), a top official said. Emirates Group holds a 49 per cent stake which it acquired from Cupola Group, another Dubai company, last year.
The MMI capital base lists 21 shareholders plus the Emirates Group, which also has two members on the MMI board of directors. MMI has been part-owned by the UK's Inchcape and then by Cupola, which acquired it as part of its Dh427 million ($116.25 million) purchase of Inchcape's regional interests in 1999.
Most cargo from Mideast
Middle East markets provided the bulk of transit cargo through Abu Dhabi port in the first quarter of the year, according to the Abu Dhabi Customs Department.
This accounted for Dh323.36 million ($88 million) of a total Dh359.91 million cargo passing through the UAE capital's port. Next was North America and Asia according to the Gulf News.
Fare slashed by 40pc
Dubai-based Naif Marine Services, which operates passenger ferry services to Iraq, has slashed fares by 40 per cent to encourage sea travel.
The cost of a return economy class fare has been reduced from Dh1,100 to Dh660 and cargo rates have also been lowered. General manager Michael Nye said.
Dubai as 28th top cargo hub
Dubai was ranked the world's 28th top cargo airport last year and sustained the highest level of growth-18.6 per cent- compared to the other airports, the Gulf News reports.
$100m BOT agreement signed
Dubai has signed a Dh367 million ($100 million) agreement with a Swiss firm to develop the Al Hamriyah Port, sources said.
The 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement between Dubai Customs and HNS of Switzerland is expected to be implemented over three years in three phases, the Gulf News said.
Fonseka as new FedEx MD
FedEx has appointed Jude Fonseka as its managing director of sales for the Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent and Sub-Sahara Africa region. Fonseka, based in Dubai, will be responsible for increasing revenue and will head a team of six district sales managers.
Talks on Beirut terminal
Lebanese Transport and Public Works Minister Najib Mikati has said that negotiations with Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) would resume soon and there was still a possibility that the $225 million contract with the DPA to equip and operate the new Beirut container terminal could be salvaged.
Mikati said he would meet DPA officials to resolve the situation.
