Latest news with #MinistryofTransportandLogisticsServices
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Operational readiness as millions arrive for Hajj
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: An official spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services - Hajj Season, Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, said over 45,000 personnel have been deployed within the transport and logistics network to ensure smooth operations during the pilgrimage. - Bernama pic MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has signalled its operational readiness for the Hajj pilgrimage season. The kingdom has rolled out an integrated set of logistical, technological, and digital initiatives aimed at improving safety, comfort, and efficiency for pilgrims arriving from around the world. An official spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services - Hajj Season, Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, said over 45,000 personnel have been deployed within the transport and logistics network to ensure smooth operations during the pilgrimage. 'Our teams continue to work round-the-clock to ensure pilgrims receive the highest quality of service,' said Al-Zuwaid at a press briefing Monday. 'We urge all pilgrims to comply with official guidelines and instructions issued by the authorities to ensure everyone's safety and wellbeing throughout the Hajj journey.' As part of efforts to ease congestion and streamline pilgrim movement, the Haramain High-Speed Railway has scheduled 4,700 trips throughout the Hajj season. The network is expected to accommodate up to two million passengers, an increase of 400,000 seats compared to the previous year. Additionally, the 'No-Baggage Hajj' initiative is now in place for pilgrims arriving via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Under this programme, pilgrims travel directly to Makkah by train while their luggage is transported separately to their accommodation via a coordinated logistics system. 'The separation of passenger and baggage movement allows for faster processing at arrival points and ensures that pilgrims can focus on their rituals with minimal disruption,' said the official. Saudi authorities have also confirmed the full implementation of the second phase of operational plans supported by specialised technical teams. These efforts are being intensified during the Eid al-Adha holiday, traditionally one of the busiest periods of the Hajj season. 'Our operational strategy has accompanied the arrival of pilgrims through multiple entry points and helped facilitate a seamless experience,' he said. Meanwhile, an official spokesperson for the Communications and Technology Ecosystem - Hajj Season, Saad Saleem Al-Shanbari, reported major improvements in digital infrastructure across the holy sites, with 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah, Madinah, and surrounding areas surpassing expectations. Internet speeds have reached 264 Mbps in Makkah and 336 Mbps in Madinah, allowing pilgrims to stay connected with ease. 'Digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience, from navigation and communication to access to real-time information,' he said. As part of the digital push, the kingdom has trialled a range of technologies, including AI-powered crowd management systems, advanced surveillance cameras, and secure communication tools in collaboration with security agencies. The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) said out of 29 new technologies introduced this year, 13 had already proven successful in previous seasons. These include tools designed to manage health-related services and monitor pilgrim movement. Responding to the challenge of combating extreme heat, Saudi authorities have activated road-cooling technologies along pedestrian routes that reduce surface temperatures and improve walking conditions for pilgrims. Preliminary results from temperature-monitoring sensors have shown a measurable decrease in heat levels on cooled pathways,' said the spokesperson. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Operational readiness as millions arrive for Hajj
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has signalled its operational readiness for the Hajj pilgrimage season. The kingdom has rolled out an integrated set of logistical, technological, and digital initiatives aimed at improving safety, comfort, and efficiency for pilgrims arriving from around the world. An official spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services - Hajj Season, Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, said over 45,000 personnel have been deployed within the transport and logistics network to ensure smooth operations during the pilgrimage. 'Our teams continue to work round-the-clock to ensure pilgrims receive the highest quality of service,' said Al-Zuwaid at a press briefing Monday. 'We urge all pilgrims to comply with official guidelines and instructions issued by the authorities to ensure everyone's safety and wellbeing throughout the Hajj journey.' As part of efforts to ease congestion and streamline pilgrim movement, the Haramain High-Speed Railway has scheduled 4,700 trips throughout the Hajj season. The network is expected to accommodate up to two million passengers, an increase of 400,000 seats compared to the previous year. Additionally, the 'No-Baggage Hajj' initiative is now in place for pilgrims arriving via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Under this programme, pilgrims travel directly to Makkah by train while their luggage is transported separately to their accommodation via a coordinated logistics system. 'The separation of passenger and baggage movement allows for faster processing at arrival points and ensures that pilgrims can focus on their rituals with minimal disruption,' said the official. Saudi authorities have also confirmed the full implementation of the second phase of operational plans supported by specialised technical teams. These efforts are being intensified during the Eid al-Adha holiday, traditionally one of the busiest periods of the Hajj season. 'Our operational strategy has accompanied the arrival of pilgrims through multiple entry points and helped facilitate a seamless experience,' he said. Meanwhile, an official spokesperson for the Communications and Technology Ecosystem - Hajj Season, Saad Saleem Al-Shanbari, reported major improvements in digital infrastructure across the holy sites, with 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah, Madinah, and surrounding areas surpassing expectations. Internet speeds have reached 264 Mbps in Makkah and 336 Mbps in Madinah, allowing pilgrims to stay connected with ease. 'Digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience, from navigation and communication to access to real-time information,' he said. As part of the digital push, the kingdom has trialled a range of technologies, including AI-powered crowd management systems, advanced surveillance cameras, and secure communication tools in collaboration with security agencies. The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) said out of 29 new technologies introduced this year, 13 had already proven successful in previous seasons. These include tools designed to manage health-related services and monitor pilgrim movement. Responding to the challenge of combating extreme heat, Saudi authorities have activated road-cooling technologies along pedestrian routes that reduce surface temperatures and improve walking conditions for pilgrims. Preliminary results from temperature-monitoring sensors have shown a measurable decrease in heat levels on cooled pathways,' said the spokesperson.
Mid East Info
28-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
His Excellency Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed AL-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistics Services inaugurates second edition of Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo in Riyadh
His Excellency Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed AL-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, officially inaugurated the second edition of the Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. In his opening remarks, His Excellency emphasized that the Kingdom is witnessing a transformative leap in the logistics sector, driven by a bold vision and the strong support of the nation's leadership. This momentum aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub. He noted that the expo comes at a critical juncture, aligning with the Kingdom's industrial and logistics evolution and playing a crucial role in advancing the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Mohamed Kazi, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events, stated: 'We are honoured by the continued support of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services for the Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo. We were especially pleased to have His Excellency Dr. Al-Rumaih inaugurate this year's edition. The level of engagement and insightful discussions witnessed on day one reflects the sector's positive trajectory in the Kingdom, particularly in infrastructure development and the adoption of advanced logistics solutions poised for the future.' The first day of the expo featured participation from over 40 speakers representing leading entities including the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Investment, the General Authority for Ports, Amazon, Aramex, and others. Sessions focused on the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing supply chains, along with themes such as automation, fleet management, and modern logistics services. The Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo serves as a premier platform uniting public and private sector stakeholders from across the industry. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest solutions in the market, including material handling and storage equipment, automation systems, robotics, packaging, control systems, weighing solutions, and security technologies—delivering a comprehensive showcase tailored to the evolving demands of the sector. The expo runs from 27 to 29 May in Riyadh, and industry professionals can register to attend through the following link:
Gulf Insider
11-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Bets On Flying Taxis And Autonomous Vehicles To Transform Mobility
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of mobility innovation, with industry leaders highlighting the potential of flying taxis and autonomous vehicles at the LEAP conference in Riyadh. FlyNow, a developer of electric aviation solutions, is preparing to roll out a modular system of helicopters to transport goods and passengers, according to co-founder and chief operating officer Yvonne Winter. 'Economic growth is tightly linked to mobility,' Winter said during a panel discussion, adding: 'And to solve traffic issues related to congestion, air quality pollution, and noise pollution, air transportation is the way to go.' She described this new industry as 'the low-altitude economy,' and insisted that 'together we have to find a way to unlock it.' Winter noted that one of the biggest challenges for international governments and regulatory bodies is the absence of a feasible blueprint for implementation — an issue FlyNow has tackled with a step-by-step approach that 'is considered to be very safe.' As part of this approach, a regulatory sandbox has been developed to validate different vehicles, air traffic management systems, and operational reports before progressing to cargo applications. Following extensive cargo trials over low-population areas, FlyNow plans to expand testing to urban settings and passenger transport. Winter said e-helicopters will reduce waiting times and be both affordable and accessible to the public. Mobility push Ayman Mesfer, general manager of the Intelligence and Future Sector at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, said Saudi Arabia is embracing new technologies across all transportation modes: land, air, and sea. The ministry plans to launch an incubator to provide financial and advisory support for small and medium-sized enterprises working on mobility solutions. 'The ministry will take a look at deployment of new and major technologies from all aspects, from AI applications, data utilizations, as well as the talents as the enablers, and the infrastructure,' Mesfer said. Omaima Bamasag, deputy of transport enablement at the Transport General Authority, highlighted the agency's new Future Mobility Program. The initiative comprises 12 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, working to identify gaps in Saudi Arabia's mobility systems and propose new plans. Approved by the Higher Committee for Transportation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the committee has already introduced 216 projects and identified 16 gaps, with alternative projects designed to bridge them. Key successes include the development of a framework for autonomous vehicle policies, pilot requirements for AVs, the deployment of scooters during the past two Hajj seasons, a student shuttle at King Saud University, and Jahez food delivery services during Hajj. 'This is all piling up toward realizing AV ambitions and validating the AV policy and regulation that has been put forward. And keep an eye out for a pilot AV taxi that you will be seeing soon here in Riyadh,' Bamasag said. Infrastructure and partnerships According to Mesfer, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services has partnered with multiple entities to develop the regulatory framework and infrastructure for these technologies. Alongside the General Authority for Civil Aviation, the ministry has developed an advanced air mobility roadmap tracking aviation and drone deployment. It has also partnered with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to construct a new testing ground, described as a 'living lab' to assess technologies across land, maritime, railway, and aviation sectors. Additional collaborating entities include TGA and the Roads General Authority. The country has already piloted an air taxi in NEOM, signaling its commitment to integrating futuristic transportation solutions. In November 2023, TGA established a regulatory sandbox to facilitate the testing of unregulated mobility technologies. Since then, five business models have emerged: micromobility, e-scooters, e-car rentals, ride-sharing, and drop-off and pick-up boxes. 'Gathering all these challenges, trying to resolve them, and paving the way for these technologies to be regulated and then licensed. Once these technologies or companies are licensed, they will have a tremendous impact on GDP and job creation,' he said. On innovative mobility solutions, Antonio Jara, chief security officer of Libelium, spoke about the company's work in Saudi Arabia and Europe to create digital twins for low-emission zones. These models integrate data from IoT sensors, noise, and air quality metrics. Jara emphasized the importance of data spaces for normalization, smart modeling, classification, and quality assessment, creating a secure data exchange platform between stakeholders. That data is then incorporated into AI models, such as zonification for clustering, pollution simulation and forecasting or digital twins, CO2 equivalent modeling, and low-emission zone analysis. These models help track pollution sources, provide sustainability impact assessments, and monitor crowd movement. Libelium's AI capabilities include data standardization, already implemented in major cities such as Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Paris. Other models focus on traffic prediction, meteorological data, clustering, and an LEZ service model for impact assessment. Speaking to Arab News about Saudi applications, Jara said: 'Aramco, Johns Hopkins — they are optimizing parking with these AI models. NEOM is another real example; they are monitoring all the pollution propagation from the tunnels, The Line.' Pollution tracking involves both real-time data and predictive analysis. 'We are also doing a proof of concept in Riyadh municipality because they want to understand the real benefit of the metro in reducing traffic-related pollution,' Jara added.
Arab News
10-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia bets on flying taxis and autonomous vehicles to transform mobility
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of mobility innovation, with industry leaders highlighting the potential of flying taxis and autonomous vehicles at the LEAP conference in Riyadh. FlyNow, a developer of electric aviation solutions, is preparing to roll out a modular system of electric helicopters to transport goods and passengers, according to co-founder and chief operating officer Yvonne Winter. 'Economic growth is tightly linked to mobility,' Winter said during a panel discussion. 'And to solve traffic issues related to congestion, air quality pollution, and noise pollution, air transportation is the way to go.' She said this is an entirely new economy that is emerging, 'which is the low-altitude economy, but together we have to find a way to unlock it.' Winter noted that one of the biggest challenges for international governments and regulatory bodies is the absence of a feasible blueprint for implementation — an issue FlyNow has tackled with a step-by-step approach that 'is considered to be very safe.' As part of this approach, a regulatory sandbox has been developed to validate different vehicles, air traffic management systems, and operational reports before progressing to cargo applications. Following extensive cargo trials over low-population areas, FlyNow plans to expand testing to urban settings and passenger transport. Winter said e-helicopters will reduce waiting times and be both affordable and accessible to the public. Mobility push Ayman Mesfer, general manager of the Intelligence and Future Sector at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, said Saudi Arabia is embracing new technologies across all transportation modes: land, air, and sea. The ministry plans to launch an incubator to provide financial and advisory support for small and medium-sized enterprises working on mobility solutions. 'The ministry will take a look at deployment of new and major technologies from all aspects, from AI applications, data utilizations, as well as the talents as the enablers, and the infrastructure,' Mesfer said. Omaima Bamasag, deputy of transport enablement at the Transport General Authority, highlighted the agency's new Future Mobility Program. The initiative comprises 12 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, working to identify gaps in Saudi Arabia's mobility systems and propose new plans. Approved by the Higher Committee for Transportation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the committee has already introduced 216 projects and identified 16 gaps, with alternative projects designed to bridge them. Key successes include the development of a framework for autonomous vehicle policies, pilot requirements for AVs, the deployment of scooters during the past two Hajj seasons, a student shuttle at King Saud University, and Jahez food delivery services during Hajj. 'This is all piling up toward realizing AV ambitions and validating the AV policy and regulation that has been put forward. And keep an eye out for a pilot AV taxi that you will be seeing soon here in Riyadh,' Bamasag said. Infrastructure and partnerships According to Mesfer, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services has partnered with multiple entities to develop the regulatory framework and infrastructure for these technologies. Alongside the General Authority for Civil Aviation, the ministry has developed an advanced air mobility roadmap tracking aviation and drone deployment. It has also partnered with KAUST to construct a new testing ground, described as a 'living lab' to assess technologies across land, maritime, railway, and aviation sectors. Additional collaborating entities include TGA and the Roads General Authority. The country has already piloted an air taxi in NEOM, signaling its commitment to integrating futuristic transportation solutions. In November 2023, TGA established a regulatory sandbox to facilitate the testing of unregulated mobility technologies. Since then, five business models have emerged: micromobility, e-scooters, e-car rentals, ride-sharing, and drop-off and pick-up boxes. 'Gathering all these challenges, trying to resolve them, and paving the way for these technologies to be regulated and then licensed. Once these technologies or companies are licensed, they will have a tremendous impact on GDP and job creation,' he said. On innovative mobility solutions, Antonio Jara, chief security officer of Libelium, spoke about the company's work in Saudi Arabia and Europe to create digital twins for low-emission zones. These models integrate data from IoT sensors, noise, and air quality metrics. Jara emphasized the importance of data spaces for normalization, smart modeling, classification, and quality assessment, creating a secure data exchange platform between stakeholders. That data is then incorporated into AI models, such as zonification for clustering, pollution simulation and forecasting or digital twins, CO2 equivalent modeling, and low-emission zone analysis. These models help track pollution sources, provide sustainability impact assessments, and monitor crowd movement. Libelium's AI capabilities include data standardization, already implemented in major cities such as Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Paris. Other models focus on traffic prediction, meteorological data, clustering, and an LEZ service model for impact assessment. Speaking to Arab News about Saudi applications, Jara said: 'Aramco, Johns Hopkins — they are optimizing parking with these AI models. NEOM is another real example; they are monitoring all the pollution propagation from the tunnels, The Line.' Pollution tracking involves both real-time data and predictive analysis. 'We are also doing a proof of concept in Riyadh Municipality because they want to understand the real benefit of the metro in reducing traffic-related pollution,' Jara added.
