Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday the addition of King Abdulaziz Port to the newly launched India-Saudi-Iraq shipping service.
The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, said the service will be operated by Singapore-based feeder operator Bengal Tiger Line.
The ISI service links King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam to Mundra port in India and Umm Qasr in Iraq, aboard a 929-TEU vessel, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The new addition aims to empower importers and exporters with best-in-class service and maritime connectivity to enable the kingdom to establish itself as the world’s leading logistics destination.
In January, a total of five cargo services linking the kingdom to 43 global hubs were added to the rosters of Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port and Jubail Commercial Port.
The “world class” trade hub overlooking the Arabian Gulf was ranked fourteenth in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index for 2021, the SPA reported, as it spans 19 square kilometres with a host of integrated logistics capabilities.
Last year, DP World, one of the world's largest port operators, and the Saudi Ports Authority signed an agreement to build a "port-centric" logistics park at the Jeddah Islamic Port with a total investment of more than $133.33 million.
DP World signed a new concession agreement with Mawani in 2020 to continue operating and managing the South Container Terminal at the Jeddah Islamic Port for the next 30 years.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
Scores in brief:
Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).
