L'imad weighs up bid for cargo carrier Atlas Air

Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding has emerged as one of the companies considering a bid for airfreight giant Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Quoting people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg last week reported that the sovereign investment platform is considering a bid in order to expand its presence in the logistics market. The bid is also driven by Abu Dhabi's efforts to provide alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the outbreak of the US-Iran war. The company is currently owned by private equity firm Apollo and Bloomberg's sources expect the company to be valued at around $10bn. The news that the freighter giant could be sold doesn't come as too much of a surprise. In December last year, reports emerged that Apollo was considering the potential sale of the company. At the time, the company was valued at around $12bn, including debts. An investor group led by US investor Apollo Global completed the purchase of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings in March 2023 in a deal with an enterprise value of $5.2bn or an equity value of $2.9bn. Atlas Air Worldwide provides outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services and is the parent company of freighter operators Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo and lessor Titan Aviation. Atlas claims its subsidiary companies operate the world's largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft as well as 777 and 767 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations. It recently placed an order for 20 next-generation Airbus A350 freighters as it moves beyond a dedicated Boeing fleet. Services include ACMI, CMI, scheduled operations, charter operations and dry leasing. The sale comes as Atlas management has been suggesting a shortage of widebody freighters will hinder the air cargo industry over the coming 10 years and potentially beyond. If the prediction proves correct, Atlas would be in a good position to capitalise on the development given its large widebody fleet.

DHL Express begins direct Bahrain-South Africa flights

DHL Express has completed the first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa with the launch of a weekly Boeing 767 freighter service between Bahrain International and O. R. Tambo International in Johannesburg. The route reinforces DHL's continued investment in strengthening Sub-Saharan Africa network connectivity, expanding heavier-weight capability, improving flexibility and supporting growing trade flows between the Middle East and Africa, said the company. This route provides greater inbound and outbound capacity for South Africa and neighbouring countries through the DHL Johannesburg Hub, one of the company's key gateways on the continent. South Africa is one of DHL's "Geographic Tailwinds" markets, reflecting its growing role in global trade flows and its potential to drive future trade growth. The investment also reflects shifting global supply chains, as companies diversify sourcing, manufacturing and customer markets beyond traditional corridors, pointed out DHL. It added that Bahrain's position as a gateway between Africa, the Gulf and Asia makes it an important link for businesses seeking faster access to international markets. "Every new connection we introduce is designed with our customers in mind. As global trade routes diversify and economic ties between Africa and the Middle East continue to strengthen, we are seeing powerful geographical tailwinds creating new opportunities for businesses," said Anthony Beckley, vice president of operations and aviation for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa. "Demand is growing across sectors such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, all of which rely on fast, reliable international logistics. "While this first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa is a significant network milestone, its real value lies in the opportunities it creates for customers." Richard Gale, vice president of aviation, DHL Express MENA, added: "DHL Express is the only logistics provider operating a dedicated intra-regional air fleet across the Middle East, connecting customers through Bahrain with major global gateways including Hong Kong, Leipzig and Cincinnati. "Bahrain's position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal hub for customers seeking faster, more reliable access across these growing trade corridors. We are pleased to add this direct Johannesburg connection as economic ties between Africa and the Gulf deepen." Last month, DHL Express expanded its presence in Shenzhen and added a new China-Southeast Asia-Europe flight as part of efforts to capitalise on fast-growing data centre and pharma demand.

Strong Asia-Latin America lane continues to take in new tonnage

Newbuilding deliveries are picking up after a summer lull, with the Far East-South America east coast route continuing to receive capacity. Over the past week, MSC took delivery of two sister 10,300 teu ships, MSC Leticia X (pictured above) and MSC Clelia X from Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard. These will go to MSC's Far East-South America east coast Carioca service. According to Alphaliner, MSC Leticia X and MSC Clelia X will be the third and fourth ships of this high-reefer series on this service, which currently deploys a mixed fleet of ships from 7,900 teu to 12,200 teu. Construction of both vessels was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule, demonstrating how far Chinese shipyards have come in their abilities. The LNG dual-fuelled vessels are part of a series of 10 ships that Zhoushan Changhong is scheduled to deliver to MSC this year and in 2027. MSC ordered the units in August 2023 for $130m each. Meanwhile, CMA CGM took delivery of the 8,454 teu CMA CGM Atlantic from New Times Shipbuilding and will deploy the vessel to its Far East-South America east coast network. CMA CGM Atlantic is the first of four sisters that tonnage provider Eastern Pacific Shipping commissioned at New Times for long-term charter to the French carrier. CMA CGM will also charter 10 similar sister ships that Capital Ship Management commissioned at the same shipbuilder, for delivery from late 2026 to mid-2028. Shanghai-South America rates have nearly tripled year-on-year, and on 11 September averaged $8,555 per teu on the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI). However, the strong freight rates are largely supported by port congestion in Asia and South America, than cargo growth, which has been fairly stable. Container Trade Statistics show that in July, South America's exported 806,366 teu, compared with 805,487 teu in the same month in 2025. Imports totalled 1.2m teu in July, slightly up from 1.15m teu in July 2025. Other notable deliveries during the week were Yang Ming's 15,500 teu YM Weight, the fourth of five sister ships the Taiwanese operator contracted at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Yang Ming will deploy the ship to its Far East-Mediterranean "MS2" service Finally, Hapag-Lloyd took delivery of the 8,258 teu Tinos Express, the second of seven sister vessels that tonnage provider Danaos Corporation commissioned at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for long-term charter to the German operator. Hapag-Lloyd and will deploy Tinos Express to Gemini Cooperation's 'TP1' / 'WC3' transpacific service.