AGP Executive Report

Hormuz Risk: The IMO says it cannot confirm mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz and is still advising ships not to transit. A separate attack off Oman killed one Indian seafarer and left 13 crew rescued, underscoring the danger to commercial vessels. Trade Routes: DP World has launched a new China–Africa shipping link, while Boluda’s planned acquisition of Samskip would expand its European short-sea network. Logistics Investment: Malaysia’s GDB Holdings won an RM877 million contract to build a Shah Alam logistics hub, and Arcapita plans to invest $1.5 billion in GCC logistics assets. Market Outlook: COSCO Shipping Ports reported an 8.4% rise in quarterly throughput, while Drewry forecasts excess shipping capacity from 2027, with limited relief for African importers.

Fleet Expansion: Nakilat named nine new vessels at South Korean shipyards: seven LNG carriers and two LPG/ammonia carriers. Five LNG ships are part of a 25-vessel programme chartered to QatarEnergy affiliates. Gulf Security: Qatar Gas Transport reported an attack on one of its vessels in the Arabian Gulf, adding to wider concerns over threats to commercial shipping. Marine Earnings: Kirby’s third-quarter marine transportation revenue rose 17% year over year to $568.7 million; the company also agreed to buy $115 million in inland marine assets. Logistics Investment: Arcapita plans to invest more than $1.5 billion in GCC industrial and logistics property. Short-Sea Shipping: Boluda Shipping agreed to acquire Samskip, aiming to build a leading European short-sea network. Last-Mile Delivery: Pune-based Dispatch Network raised Rs 5 crore in pre-seed funding to grow its AI team and expand operations across five cities.

Maritime Security: An LNG carrier operated by Qatar Gas Transport was struck by unidentified objects in the Arabian Gulf, while Somali pirates seized an Iranian fishing vessel with 23 people aboard, raising fresh concerns for shipping safety. Freight Costs: Malaysian manufacturers reported rising transport and materials bills, with Middle East conflict and port congestion contributing to higher costs and worsening delivery delays. Transport Infrastructure: Ahmedabad has floated nearly Rs 40,000 crore in tenders, including major metro and regional rail projects ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Rail Safety: Spain is weighing a one-to-two-year suspension of Madrid–Barcelona trains during planned upgrades after a deadly crash intensified concerns about rail reliability. Aviation: All nine people aboard a Learjet bound for the Bahamas died when it crashed in a South Florida neighborhood; investigators are probing the cause.

Gulf Shipping Security: Nakilat says LNG carrier Al Mayeda was struck by unidentified objects in the Arabian Gulf on Friday. Its crew is safe, the vessel remains operational and no environmental damage was reported; an assessment is underway. China Logistics: The value of China’s social logistics reached 280 trillion yuan in the first nine months of 2026, up 4.9% year on year, with industrial goods leading growth. Black Sea Cargo: Russia says it struck a cargo ship near Odesa carrying supplies for Ukrainian forces, amid repeated attacks on port facilities and shipping. Cross-Border Delays: Tighter inspections in Kazakhstan are leaving China-to-Russia shipments stalled for weeks, and some carriers have suspended the route. European Shipping: Boluda Shipping plans to acquire Samskip in a major short-sea shipping deal in 2027.

Maritime Security: India is engaging Russia, Ukraine and Europe to protect civilian shipping, restore Black Sea grain exports and prevent attacks on energy infrastructure, with coordination from the US. Trade Routes: Cedra Line has launched a Turkey–St. Petersburg container service as carriers reshape Black Sea networks amid security concerns. Logistics Investment: Al Sharqi Shipping opened a multi-temperature hub at Dubai Industrial City, with capacity for 178 trucks a day and plans to create about 500 jobs. Rail Freight: Saudi Arabia Railways says shifting freight and passengers from roads to rail saved 139.4 million litres of fuel and avoided 364,800 tonnes of emissions in 2025; freight operations alone displaced an estimated two million road trips. Fuel Markets: Russia extended its general diesel export ban through January, while allowing for exemptions for some suppliers.

Hormuz Security: Tanker attacks are escalating, with a UAE-owned crude carrier reportedly disabled by limpet mines and an LNG carrier struck by a projectile; all crew members were reported safe. Shipping traffic remains well below pre-conflict levels as operators face rising risks. Piracy Watch: The EU naval mission is investigating the reported hijacking of an Iranian fishing vessel off Somalia, warning it could be used to support attacks on merchant ships. Black Sea: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with shipping security on the agenda. Transport Disruption: Ghanaian commercial transport operators threatened a nationwide service suspension on November 1 over the rollout of digital traffic enforcement and unresolved bus-stop obstructions. Cargo and Networks: Jordan’s road transit cargo surged 84.7% year on year in the third quarter, while Boluda Shipping agreed to acquire Samskip to build a larger European short-sea network.

Hormuz Disruptions: A tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers was hit by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz; all crew were safe. UKMTO says traffic remains about 70% below pre-conflict levels, as India’s foreign minister urged protection for civilian shipping. Logistics Deals: Boluda Shipping plans to acquire Samskip and build a European short-sea network, while Scan Global Logistics has agreed to buy US forwarder OIA Global. Trade Digitization: Canada has launched an industry-government task force to streamline trade information, aiming to cut shipping delays, costs and paperwork. Intermodal Freight: Le Mars, Iowa, has expanded its rail transload center, giving more businesses access to rail service alongside trucking.

Maritime Risk: Rising shipping incidents around the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher, while workers at 113 ports planned protests against arms shipments, adding uncertainty to global trade. Cleaner Shipping: Regular bioethanol bunkering has begun at Brazil’s Port of Santos, and Icelandic startup SideWind is exploring container-mounted wind turbines to generate electricity aboard cargo ships. Fleet and Port Investment: Wallenius Wilhelmsen ordered four dual-fuel vehicle carriers, Tropical Shipping ordered its first hybrid straddle carrier, and $40 million will expand cargo capacity at Hawaii’s Kahului Harbor. Logistics Deals: Boluda agreed to acquire Samskip, while Scan Global Logistics struck a deal to buy OIA Global, extending a week of freight-sector consolidation. Trade Flows: COSCO Shipping Ports reported an 8.4% rise in throughput, and Bulgaria is exploring rail upgrades to move more than 2.3 million tonnes of grain a year toward ports.

Shipbuilding: India is courting South Korean investment and technology to help build a top-five shipbuilding industry by 2047, with a proposed Tamil Nadu shipyard among the projects under discussion. Trade Corridors: Tanzania and Angola plan to link Indian Ocean and Atlantic routes by rail through Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Port Disruption: Durban’s Pier 2 backlog could take until February to clear, with new equipment expected in December and delays adding costs for cargo owners and carriers. Industry Moves: Boluda Shipping agreed to acquire Samskip, while Scan Global Logistics is buying US-based forwarder OIA Global in its largest-ever investment. Cleaner Freight: CMA CGM launched an inland electric barge in Vietnam to support Nike’s logistics. Maritime Risk: Shipping faces renewed uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz amid reports of attacks on vessels and rising concern over insurance and freight costs. Rail Safety: Spain’s train crash death toll rose to 74 as investigators examine the causes and scrutiny grows over railway operations.

Logistics M&A: Scan Global Logistics agreed to acquire U.S. forwarder OIA Global in its largest-ever investment, expanding its North American and Asian reach and adding contract and project logistics and customs brokerage. Short-Sea Shipping: Boluda agreed to take over Samskip after a CLdN carve-out, aiming to build a stronger European short-sea operator. Freight Disruption: Shipping costs from China have surged fivefold as thousands of trucks remain stalled at Iranian borders, while Gulf Energy Logistics adapts to continuing Hormuz risks. Air Cargo: Global demand rose 7.7% in September, pointing to stronger volumes for freight carriers. Maritime Safety: The Philippines’ transport secretary pledged tougher vessel inspections and penalties after a ferry fire killed 77 people. Arctic Routes: Russia plans year-round Northern Sea Route shipping from early 2027 as it revives the corridor for grain exports.

Trade Corridors: Turkey is investing about $10 billion to ease bottlenecks and build southern links for a China–Europe rail corridor targeted for 2031. Shipping Deals: Boluda Shipping plans to acquire Samskip, while Scan Global Logistics has agreed to buy Oregon-based OIA Global. Arctic Routes: Russia says regular year-round Northern Sea Route shipping could begin in early 2027, though more icebreakers, rescue services and communications are needed. Cleaner Shipping: Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach identify LNG and methanol as leading near- and medium-term options for cutting ship emissions. Freight Market: Oil tanker rates have hit records amid Iran-U.S. shipping attacks, and FedEx has raised its outlook as the holiday shipping season approaches. Supply Chain Investment: India approved a ₹10,000-crore program to expand domestic shipping-container manufacturing.

Rail Safety: Spain’s high-speed train collision killed at least 68 people. The transport minister said controllers inexplicably authorized a train to proceed after a computer fault disabled the safety system; the cause remains under investigation. Maritime Security: Türkiye’s defence minister urged Russia and Ukraine to avoid escalating Black Sea tensions, warning that attacks on commercial vessels threaten regional shipping. Tanker rates have also hit record highs following attacks involving Iran and the U.S. Supply Chain Costs: The World Bank forecasts commodity prices will rise 23% in 2026, citing energy, shipping and agricultural disruptions that could fuel inflation. Port Investment: The U.S. Maritime Administration awarded $498 million for port projects across 19 states. Logistics Technology: ASCO plans to invest £18.3 million over six years in logistics software, AI and automation.

Port Investment: U.S. funding includes $498 million for 35 port projects and an $11.25 million grant for Penn Terminals to add refrigerated-trailer capacity and upgrade its electrical system and roads. Maritime Technology: South Korea plans to invest in autonomous ships and AI-controlled port operations, while Japanese firms are advancing an ammonia-fuel supply chain for vessels. Shipping Risks: Attacks and a sinking near the Strait of Hormuz add to disruption fears; the Black Sea is also reported to be the deadliest route for merchant shipping. Freight Capacity: Indian refiners say they lack ships to carry cheaper Middle Eastern crude, while South Africa’s Transnet tested a 4.7-mile freight train to improve long-haul mineral transport. Logistics Costs: South Africa’s logistics bill has reached $69.6 billion, with rail failures pushing up export expenses.

Marine Networks: Stena has agreed to acquire Norway’s Color Line, combining two major European passenger and freight ferry operators; completion is expected in 2027, pending regulatory approval. Enstructure has named four regional presidents to lead its expanded 106-terminal network after acquiring LOGISTEC’s marine services division. Cargo Operations: Miami International Airport has launched a cargo community platform to coordinate truck arrivals and cargo handling, aiming to cut delays and congestion. Freight Conditions: South Africa’s Ctrack index edged up in Q3, but road freight remained weak as higher fuel costs and Middle East uncertainty weighed on demand. Trade Routes: U.S. port fees on Chinese-built ships and shipping are set to be delayed, while threats around the Strait of Hormuz and oil-shipping bottlenecks keep maritime security and transport costs in focus.

Shipping Risks: Rising tanker rates and oil-route disruptions are adding pressure to energy costs, while attacks on Black Sea ports have sharply cut a Ukrainian exporter’s sales. A nationwide freight strike in Mexico also threatens cargo movement. Ports & Corridors: Ho Chi Minh City is seeking private investment for transport and logistics infrastructure, with proposals for four gateway road projects totaling about US$2.32 billion. Ghana has outlined plans to expand and digitize its ports and improve road, rail and inland links. Freight & Logistics: A new report says Africa’s 179 ports still face high shipping costs and week-long delays. Quick-commerce growth could require 75 million square feet of urban logistics space by 2030, while DSV has opened a major cross-border freight hub in Texas. Cleaner Shipping: NYK Line, JERA and partners plan to advance ammonia-fueled vessels, targeting four car carriers by fiscal 2030.

Maritime Security: Qatar urged protection of energy routes as conflict-related restrictions curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global trade and energy supplies. Russia is also reviewing proposals to keep Black Sea grain shipments safe, but sees no near-term prospect of reviving the grain deal. Port Investment: Morocco’s Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantique ports are nearing service, drawing foreign interest and positioning the country to expand its role in African trade corridors. Freight Growth: Azerbaijan’s Caspian ferries carried 32,380 vehicles in the first nine months of 2026, up 12% year on year. Project Logistics: AGL Sierra Leone moved more than 20,000 cubic metres of cargo, including three turbines weighing over 115 tonnes each, for a thermal power plant. Warehousing: India’s quick-commerce sector could need 75 million square feet of urban logistics space by 2030 as dark-store networks expand.