Date set for Transport expo
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will organise its first-ever Middle East International Transport Exhibition from April 8 to 12 next year. Intrans Congress 2001, a conference on industry-related subjects, will run alongside the trade-only show, the organisers said. The exhibition will feature improved transport systems specially designed for the Middle East.
Container rates to rise
The Informal Rate Agreement (IRA), a 16-line consortium, has decided to raise container rates from the Far East to the Gulf by at least $100 a TEU by March-April. This will be followed by another hike by September of at least $150, Gulf News reports. The decision was taken at IRA's annual meeting recently. The group protects the interests of member lines on the Far East and Gulf routes.
$200m financing for Oasis
Oasis International Leasing Company (Al Waha) has signed a $200 million financing package with a group of banks that will permit the acquisition of eight aircraft. The financing facility, the first of its kind for the UAE, will be used by Oasis to finance the acquisition of narrow-bodied aircraft over a two-year draw-down period.
Swissair seeks Qatar link
Swisscargo is in talks with Gulf Air and Qatar Airways to accommodate Swisscargo loads from Dubai to Jeddah starting next year. Vasco Furtado, regional manager for the Gulf, Iran and Sri Lanka, said the company was planning to increase its capacity from Dubai up to 20 tonnes per flight on Swissair's daily flight from Dubai and three flights from Abu Dhabi.
Swissair forged ties with Gulf Air and Qatar Airways in March to bring Swisscargo loads from Doha to Jeddah with the capacity of up to 10 tonnes per flight on each airline.
The airline also clinched an agreement with Iran Air in June under which Iran Air will pick up loads from Dubai to Tehran with the cargo being forwarded via Swissair's flights from Tehran to Zurich.
AFI completes job
Arab Heavy Industries (AHI) of Ajman, UAE, has completed work on its new 30,000 dwt drydock, and docked its first vessel.
The Dh71 million ($19.3 million) project included a construction outlay of Dh40 million, a spokesman said. The official inauguration will be early next year. The facility, which targets the medium-sized ship-repair market, has attracted a good response due to the number of mid-sized vessels in the Gulf.
