Abu Dhabi launches new Airline AND MORE…
A maritime news and analysis weekly, to help you make informed decisions in the weeks ahead.
Issue #95: 23 Jul, 2020
New airline Air Arabia Abu Dhabi begins service today
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s newest low-cost airline option and comes from a joint venture between Etihad and Air Arabia. The airline begins operations today, July 14 and will travel between Abu Dhabi and Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria, Egypt. To begin with, the airline will operate two routes, both of which are in Egypt. Flights to Alexandria will operate three times a week — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) at 3pm.Flights to Sohag Airport (HMB), also in Egypt will take place every Wednesday at 2.20pm. The airline plans to build its route map as the world opens up. And if it follows the strategy of its Sharjah-based sister airline, Air Arabia, we can expect to see more services across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. ‘This joint venture between Etihad and Air Arabia” said Etihad Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas “will offer greater convenience and direct access to the UAE’s thriving capital for new markets worldwide, beginning with two key Egyptian routes, and expanding in time”
Dubai Customs launches transit trade guide to keep up with progress of Silk Road Strategy
Dubai Customs on Thursday (16 July) launched a guide on transit trade to enhance the emirate’s leading position as a central hub for regional and global transit trade. The guide, prepared by the Tariff and Origin Department, outlines all the procedures and steps that need to be taken by companies to avail for the services and facilities provided by Dubai Customs to transit activity. It includes information to raise awareness around all regulations on transit trade facilitation following the UAE’s commitment to the international treaties and agreements. The Dubai Silk Road strategy was prepared by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, in collaboration with key government entities. Internally, the strategy focuses on enhancing trade between free zones and the rest of the emirates. Externally, the focus will be on enhancing strategic and operational connection of logistics services between DP World terminals across the world with Emirates airlines playing a key role.
Westports launches world’s first wireless container check system
Westports Holdings Berhad (Westports) launched its new Remote Physical-Check System (RPS) on 9 July, when the Malaysian minister of transport, YB. Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong made an official visit to Westports Malaysia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westports. Every container that is being unloaded from or loaded onto a vessel has to be verified at the wharf. The RPS allows the verification process to be performed via video analytic cameras installed on the quay cranes structure instead of having stowage clerks physically walking around container boxes performing the same function onsite at the wharf. Westports RPS is the world’s first in implementing this technology via a wireless network and infrastructure.
Rotterdam introduces PIN-free container handling
Port of Rotterdam (PoR) Authority has announced that various parties will be launching a pilot project on the handling and the release of containers without a PIN code, this week. The project revolves around a new application, Secure Container Release, which replaces the PIN code with a digital signal, explains PoR, which describes the solution as significantly less susceptible to fraud, as “it is not only intended to make container handling more efficient, but also safer.” Participants in the three-month trial include CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, ONE, Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam, Rotterdam Fruit Wharf, Milestone Fresh, VTO, Portmade and the application developer T-Mining. PoR Authority said that every year, millions of containers are unloaded in the port, from where they are forwarded to destinations in the hinterland. Collecting these containers in the port is a complicated process, according to an announcement, during which shipping companies, freight forwarders, transport firms and terminals need to work closely together to ensure the swift and safe release of this freight.
Shipwaves wishes you a great week ahead!
Happy Sailing!
