Egypt Locally Manufactures Salt Separators to Develop Oil Refineries

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and heads of government oil companies during the meeting. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and heads of government oil companies during the meeting. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Locally Manufactures Salt Separators to Develop Oil Refineries

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and heads of government oil companies during the meeting. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and heads of government oil companies during the meeting. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla has revealed that his country is intensifying efforts to increase reliance on local components in the development of oil refineries.

Petrojet company manufactures some of the main components that are installed in the production units in refineries such as salt separators, he added.

El-Molla stressed the significance of refineries in the country, specifically Alexandria which represents around 40 percent of the oil refineries across the country.

He made his remarks as he chaired through videoconference a meeting for several state-owned oil companies such as Alexandria Petroleum Company, Amreya Petroleum Refining Company, Egyptian Petrochemical Company, and Petroleum Pipelines Co.

Minister of Local Development Hisham Amna and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir, were also present.

El-Molla remarked that investments continue to be pumped to develop the national petroleum transportation network, which boosts Egypt’s role as a regional hub for energy trade. This role must go in parallel with a modern, safe, and strong network of high efficiency to transport oil products, he said.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petroleum Pipelines Co. Fathi Mansour stated that the firm started the implementation of new transportation lines to transport oil and the expansion of two storage terminals with an investment value exceeding EGP6 billion.

Mansour added that new lines would extend over 600 km with an investment value surpassing EGP11 billion.



Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
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Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)

As Saudi companies start reporting their Q2 financial results, experts are optimistic about the transport and logistics sector. They expect a 10% annual growth, with total net profits reaching around SAR 900 million ($240 million), driven by tourism and an economic corridor project.

In Q1, the seven listed transport and logistics companies in Saudi Arabia showed positive results, with combined profits increasing by 5.8% to SAR 818.7 million ($218 million) compared to the previous year.

Four companies reported profit growth, while three saw declines, including two with losses, according to Arbah Capital.

Al Rajhi Capital projects significant gains for Q2 compared to last year: Lumi Rental’s profits are expected to rise by 31% to SAR 65 million, SAL’s by 76% to SAR 192 million, and Theeb’s by 23% to SAR 37 million.

On the other hand, Aljazira Capital predicts a 13% decrease in Lumi Rental’s net profit to SAR 43 million, despite a 44% rise in revenue. This is due to higher operational costs post-IPO.

SAL’s annual profit is expected to grow by 76% to SAR 191.6 million, driven by a 29% increase in revenue and higher profit margins.

Aljazira Capital also expects a 2.8% drop in the sector’s net profit from Q1 due to lower profits for SAL and Seera, caused by reduced revenue and profit margins.

Mohammad Al Farraj, Head of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sector’s continued profit growth is supported by seasonal factors like summer travel and higher demand for transport services.

He predicts Q2 profits will reach around SAR 900 million ($240 million), up 10% from Q1.

Al Farraj highlighted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), linking India with the GCC and Europe, is expected to boost sector growth by improving trade and transport connections.

However, he warned that companies may still face challenges, including rising costs and workforce shortages.