Abu Dhabi Freight Forwarding Services
Air & Sea Freight Between Abu Dhabi and the UK

Air France-KLM gains from Middle East capacity reduction and high-tech demand in Q2

Air France-KLM Group recorded a cargo revenue increase of 25% year on year in the second quarter, supported by reduced industry capacity due to the Middle East conflict and demand for high-tech shipments. Total cargo revenues for the Group were €711m in the second quarter, up 25.7% compared to the second quarter of 2025. Cargo unit revenues (per Available Ton Kilometers - ATK) were up 26.7% for Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP), said the Group. "Cargo unit revenues increased significantly (26.7% at constant currency) thanks to strong demand resulting in an increase in load factor and yield and, especially in Asia, high unit revenues." The Group added that "increased pricing following the rising fuel price" also contributed to revenue increases. AFKLMP volumes for the quarter amounted to 237m kilograms, an 8.9% increase year on year, while capacity was up 2.9% year on year. The Group commented: "Global air cargo capacity started to normalize towards the end of Q2, as Middle East disruption eased, Gulf hub capacity was restored and operational pressure reduced. However, demand continued to outpace capacity growth on several key lanes, keeping the market relatively tight. "In 2026's second quarter, the Group's Cargo business achieved an impressive increase of revenue per ATK against a constant currency of 26.7%. Since the Middle East conflict started, reduced industry capacity and strong industry demand, fueled by demand for semiconductors and AI-related hardware, increased the Group's yield by 17.2% and load factor by 3.7pt to 49.2%. "Cargo carried 237 million kilograms, representing an 8.9% increase year-on-year. The capacity grew 2.9%, despite limitations in full freighter capacity due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and traffic increased by 11.3% year-on-year." The Group confirmed that as of 30 June, it had six Airbus A350 freighters on order. Total Group revenues increased by 9.7% to €7.6bn.

Chinese EV boom fuels demand and charter rates for car-carriers

Charter rates for modern car-carriers are moving towards the $100,000 a day mark again - powered by rising demand for Chinese electric vehicle exports. While VesselsValue shows average charter rates for car-carriers at around $67,000 a day, new vessels can command a higher rate. Last week, Atlas EMF, a joint-venture between Greek shipowner Atlas Maritime and European Maritime Finance, chartered the 7,000 ceu Clean Star to an unnamed Chinese operator for two years, for $80,000 a day, prior to its expected delivery from CIMC Raffles shipyard this month. Atlas CEO Leon Patitsas said: "This agreement reflects the exceptional quality of the vessel, the continued confidence of leading operators in our fleet, and the strong fundamentals of the global vehicle carrier market." In March, another of Atlas EMF's new car=carriers, the 7,000 ceu Eco Star, was fixed to Wallenius Wilhelmsen for a year, at $53,000 a day, shortly after delivery. The spike in charter rates within five months highlights how demand is strengthening for modern vehicle carriers. SAIC Anji Logistics, the shipping arm of SAIC Motor, recently chartered Eastern Pacific Shipping's newly built 7,060 ceu car carrier Lake Rotorua for $90,000 a day, shortly after delivery by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Nanjing. Car-carrier charter rates hit $100,000 a day in August 2022, before 'normalising' in late 2024, as record numbers of newbuildings were delivered. Now, China's vehicle exports are on a bull run, fuelling demand for ships to carry them. China Association of Automobile Manufacturers' statistics show nearly 5.1m vehicles exported during the first six months - up 65.3% year on year. New energy vehicle exports exceeded 2.3m units, more than double last year. In June, vehicle exports reached 1.037m, up 75% from a year ago, marking the first time China's monthly automobile exports exceeded a million units. With tonnage tight, even older car-carriers can command a decent charter rate. Two, belonging to SFL, the 6,500 ceu SFL Composer and SFL Conductor, built in 2005 and 2006 respectively, were fixed to Cosco at around $40,000 a day for 34 months. And the demand for tonnage is reviving newbuilding orders for car-carriers, after only nine were commissioned last year. So far in 2026, at least 40 have been ordered. MSC's car-carrier arm, Global Car Carriers, has commissioned ten LNG dual-fuelled car-carriers, comprising six at 8,600 ceu and four of 7,000 ceu, for delivery 2028-2030. The larger ships will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry Yizheng, the others will be equally split between CMHI Weihai and Guangzhou Shipyard International The rising market has also attracted an opportunistic newcomer, China-based Zhongnan Shipping, which has ordered four 5,700 ceu car-carriers at Jiangsu Runyang Shipbuilding, for delivery between 2028 and 2029.

Habib Turki takes the helm as IRU secretary general

Habib Turki has officially assumed office as secretary general of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), succeeding Umberto de Pretto, who led the organisation for 13 years. Mr Turki was elected by the IRU General Assembly in May and now takes charge of the global road transport body at a time of significant geopolitical, technological, and environmental change. "It is a great honour to serve as IRU's secretary general. Road transport is the backbone of the global economy, connecting people, businesses and communities every day," he said. "IRU has a unique opportunity to help shape a more connected, resilient and sustainable future for transport. I look forward to working with our members, partners and governments around the world to advance that mission together." Representing the road transport industry for almost 80 years, IRU works with governments, international organisations and the private sector to facilitate trade, improve mobility and strengthen supply chains. Mr Turki brings almost 20 years of international leadership experience spanning transport, trade, tourism and sustainable development. He previously served as IRU's regional adviser for the Middle East between 2015 and 2018, where he helped expand the TIR transit system across the region, supporting the ratification of the TIR Convention in Oman, Palestine, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while leading its implementation in the UAE. He joined the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in 2019 as director of tourism services before being promoted to chief development officer in 2024. In that role, he oversaw strategic initiatives covering tourism services, institutional development, public affairs and international partnerships. Under Mr Turki's leadership, the IRU said, it would continue to strengthen its position as the leading global platform for road transport, with priorities including digital transformation, innovation, stronger engagement with members and governments, and partnerships that support sustainable trade and international connectivity.