Regional Trade

Shipping Arabia, October 29, 2026 – The Mogadishu Port Authority has outlined plans to develop a new port in Mogadishu, Somalia, aimed at boosting trade, strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the country’s economic growth.

The proposed development was highlighted by Mogadishu Port Authority General Manager Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur during the Global Somali Entrepreneurship Forum 2026. He presented the new port in Mogadishu as an important initiative for expanding trade opportunities and strengthening the country’s economic connections with regional markets.

New Port in Mogadishu to Support Regional Connectivity

Speaking at the forum, Nur emphasized the potential role of the proposed port in facilitating trade and improving Somalia’s connectivity with neighboring economies. He identified the development as an important component of efforts to accelerate economic growth and strengthen the country’s position in regional trade.

The general manager also highlighted the trade and investment opportunities arising from Somalia’s membership in the East African Community (EAC). He pointed to the regional economic opportunities associated with the country’s participation in the bloc, emphasizing their importance for businesses and investors.

The discussions connected the proposed port development with Somalia’s broader ambitions to expand commercial activity and strengthen its participation in regional trade.

Encouraging Private Investment and Economic Cooperation

Beyond port infrastructure, Nur called for greater private sector involvement in Somalia’s economic development. Addressing entrepreneurs and investors, he stressed the importance of actively pursuing available business opportunities rather than waiting for the government to independently establish all the services required to support commercial activities.

He encouraged businesses to invest in existing opportunities and work alongside government institutions to develop the country’s economy. His remarks emphasized cooperation between the public and private sectors as a means of supporting investment and expanding commercial activity.

The Mogadishu Port Authority also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade and attracting investment. The authority identified the development of Somalia as an important regional trading hub as a central objective of its efforts.

The proposed new port in Mogadishu forms part of the development priorities highlighted by the authority, alongside greater investment participation and stronger regional economic connections.

Source: Mogadishu Port Authority

Shipping Arabia, October 25, 2026 – Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority is planning a comprehensive Nuweiba Port truck yard upgrade to increase handling capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen maritime and land transport connections with Jordan and other Arab markets. The development will focus on modernizing truck staging areas, internal roads, electronic systems and port gates to reduce congestion and accelerate cargo movements.

According to government sources cited by Al Borsa News, the planned improvements form part of Egypt’s broader strategy to modernize port infrastructure and strengthen the role of its maritime facilities in supporting trade, transport and logistics activities.

The project aims to accommodate growing truck traffic, shorten processing times and improve services for road transport operators, freight companies and other port users.

Nuweiba Port Truck Yard Upgrade to Improve Traffic Flow

The development plan includes rehabilitating internal roads serving the port’s truck staging areas and upgrading electronic systems and access gates.

These improvements are intended to accelerate truck entry and exit procedures, reduce customs clearance and loading times, and improve vehicle circulation throughout the port.

The Authority also plans to provide the logistics services and supporting facilities required by truck drivers, road transport operators and freight companies.

Government sources indicated that the Nuweiba Port truck yard upgrade will help accommodate increasing truck movements while reducing congestion within the port and its surrounding areas.

A major component of the project involves organizing truck staging areas using modern technological and operational systems. The objective is to improve traffic management and maximize the efficient use of available space.

The proposed improvements will also strengthen safety and security standards within the port, creating a more efficient operating environment for transport and logistics companies.

By improving truck circulation and staging arrangements, the Authority aims to increase vehicle turnover and enable the port to process more trucks daily.

Faster Customs Procedures Expected to Reduce Transport Costs

The planned development is expected to improve cargo movement efficiency by reducing truck waiting periods and accelerating customs and logistics procedures.

According to the sources, shorter processing times could reduce freight transport costs and improve the competitiveness of Egyptian products in regional markets.

The improvements are particularly relevant to Egyptian exports destined for Arab countries, where faster cargo processing and more efficient transport operations can support trade flows.

The Authority also expects the modernization of truck staging areas to improve the operational cycle of vehicles moving through the port.

Reducing delays during loading, clearance and other logistics procedures would allow transport operators to complete movements more efficiently while improving the overall flow of imports and exports.

In addition, improved infrastructure and operating systems are expected to strengthen the quality of services provided to shipping and logistics companies using Nuweiba Port.

Nuweiba–Aqaba Corridor Central to Regional Trade Connectivity

An important objective of the development plan is to enhance the role of the Nuweiba–Aqaba maritime corridor in connecting Egypt with Jordan and other Arab markets.

The proposed improvements are intended to strengthen maritime and land transport connectivity, making the route more attractive to road freight operators and shipping companies.

According to the government sources, more efficient truck handling and improved logistics services could also support additional transit cargo movements through Nuweiba.

The Nuweiba Port truck yard upgrade is therefore expected to contribute to the port’s position within the regional transport and logistics network.

By reducing waiting times and improving the coordination of truck movements, the planned project aims to facilitate cargo flows along the maritime connection between Egypt and Jordan.

These improvements would support trade between the two countries while strengthening access to other Arab markets served through regional transport networks.

Higher Truck Throughput Could Strengthen Port Revenues

Beyond the expected logistics benefits, the Red Sea Ports Authority aims to improve the economic utilization of Nuweiba Port’s existing infrastructure and operational assets.

Government sources indicated that increasing truck-handling capacity and improving vehicle turnaround could generate additional revenues from port fees and services.

Faster processing would allow the port to accommodate more trucks each day, potentially increasing operating volumes and improving the financial returns generated by its facilities.

The planned investments in internal roads, truck yards, electronic systems and supporting services are intended to support this objective while improving the overall efficiency of port operations.

The development forms part of Egypt’s wider efforts to strengthen port competitiveness, reduce logistics costs and improve the movement of goods through its maritime gateways.

For the Nuweiba–Aqaba route, the proposed improvements could enhance the efficiency of cross-border freight movements and reinforce the corridor’s role in supporting trade between Egypt, Jordan and the wider Arab region.

Source: Al Borsa News

Shipping Arabia, September 25, 2026 – Cargo handling at Aqaba’s main port surged 49% year-on-year to 9.48 million tonnes during the first eight months of 2026, accompanied by a sharp increase in truck traffic as Jordan’s only seaport handles growing domestic and regional trade flows.

Dr. Mahmoud Khleifat, Director General of Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, said throughput reached approximately 9.482 million tonnes through the end of August, compared with 6.382 million tonnes during the same period in 2025.

Truck movements increased even faster, rising 51% to around 129,900 trucks, from 85,551 during the corresponding period last year.

The increase reflects stronger activity at Aqaba as the port serves both Jordan’s domestic economy and growing cargo flows involving neighboring markets. Khleifat said coordination among stakeholders in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and government agencies has helped streamline procedures and improve the movement of cargo to and from the port.

The main port handles a broad range of cargoes and vessel types, providing an important component of Aqaba’s wider maritime and logistics infrastructure alongside the kingdom’s container, Ro-Ro and specialized terminal facilities.

Khleifat said the port is continuing to develop its operations with a focus on safety, operational efficiency and sustainability while maintaining handling services capable of supporting changing trade and supply chain requirements.

The growth further strengthens Aqaba’s role as Jordan’s maritime gateway and an increasingly important regional logistics and transit corridor, particularly as changing regional trade patterns generate additional cargo flows through the kingdom.

Source: Addustour

Shipping Arabia, September 22, 2026 – Global trade is moving toward a more regional and resilient structure as geopolitical risks, sanctions and changing shipping patterns increasingly influence maritime investment and operations, according to Folk Maritime CEO Poul Hestbaek.

Hestbaek discussed the changing trade environment during a panel at the 18th Annual Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum in London, addressing the theme of global trade in a changing world, including sanctions, risks, maritime corridors and the reshaping of trade routes.

He highlighted what Folk Maritime described as a strategic transition away from unrestricted globalisation toward a more sustainable and regional trading environment, with geopolitical considerations playing a growing role in shipping routes and investment decisions.

The discussion also addressed the pricing of risk. Hestbaek highlighted the importance of clearly incorporating risks associated with international sanctions into freight rates and chartering terms as shipping companies navigate an increasingly complex regulatory and geopolitical environment.

Another area of focus was supply chain security. The sector is moving beyond a traditional emphasis on just-in-time delivery toward greater operational flexibility and an increased ability to respond to disruptions, according to the discussion.

Hestbaek also pointed to the emergence of new regional maritime alliances as a development that will require shipping companies to take a more proactive approach to risk management and prepare for further changes across the industry.

The discussion reflects the broader challenges facing maritime transport as shipping companies adapt their networks, commercial strategies and operational models to changing trade patterns and increasingly complex global risks.

Saudi Arabia-based Folk Maritime operates regional liner services and is backed by the Public Investment Fund.

Source: Folk Maritime