Transport and Logistics

New regulator for Abu Dhabi
Under a new law in Abu Dhabi the Transport Department will be the regulatory body of all sea, land and air transport services and public transport in the emirate, reported WAM. The law, which was enacted by the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stipulates that the Department will be responsible for the economic supervision and control of the aviation sector, ports and airports, infrastructure, land and marine transport services and general transport as per the legislations prevailing in the emirate and the country.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, February 27 - 2008 at 07:28

Qatar Shipping Co. profit up 35%
Qatar Shipping Co., a marine freight transportation company, has announced that its 2007 full-year profit increased 35%, reported Bloomberg. Net income advanced to 621.4 million riyals ($170.8m), or 6.21 riyals a share, from 458.6 million riyals, or 4.59 riyals, the company said in a filing to the Doha Securities Market today.
Qatar: Tuesday, February 26 - 2008 at 11:27

RAK launches new taxis
Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority has launched a fleet of 25 new taxis in the emirate, reported Khaleej Times. Another 35 taxis operated by Al Hamrah taxi operators in the emirate are expected to be on the roads by next week, bringing the number of new taxis in RAK to 60. Colonel Nasser Sultan Al Muraddad, chairman of RAKTA, said 10 of the taxis would be used exclusively for families and the remaining 50 would be for public use.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, February 26 - 2008 at 07:04

IAL Group expands into Africa
IAL Group has expanded its logistics facility into Africa, with the launch of Omega Logistics (Africa) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. IAL provides heavy lifts and ODC transportation, multi-modal operations, turnkey logistics projects, customs clearance and re-forwarding, barging and ro-ro operations, port/shore handling, equipment mobilisation and coordination.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, February 25 - 2008 at 09:22

Dubai to unveil stricter traffic penalties
Dubai is to implement stiffer traffic penalties beginning March 1, reported Khaleej Times. Colonel Ghaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director of the Traffic Department in the Ministry of Interior, said drunk drivers will receive a fine of not less than Dhs20,000 ($5450) in addition to jail term. The same penalty will apply to motorists who flee after involvement in an accident. Motorists who drive without a licence will face a fine of not less than Dhs5,000 and a prison term of up to three months.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, February 24 - 2008 at 08:39

Sokhna Port aims to be major hub
Special projects worth approximately $1bn are aimed at transforming Egypt's Sokhna Port into a logistical transshipment hub in the region, reported Khaleej Times. Officials at DP World and Sokhna Port are confident that the $670M deal signed last week in Cairo will develop this vital water artery linking European and Asian ports into a regional transshipment hub to capture maritime trade transiting the East-West trade route.
Egypt: Sunday, February 24 - 2008 at 07:26

Dubai metro cars enter the city
The first Dubai Metro train engine and five passenger cars have been loaded aboard a cargo vessel in Japan and are now enroute to Dubai, confirms an official with the Roads and Transport Authority, reported Xpress. The loading of the trains was captured by an anonymous photographer and the pictures of the event were forwarded to recipients across Dubai, including members of the RTA, the official confirmed. Late last year, the same train exited the Japanese factory for test trials including climatic and operational speed tests at Mihara test track near Hiroshima. The tests were conducted under the supervision of top RTA officials, including Mohammad Essa Al Rowaished, Director of Planning and Development. The Red Line is expected to be operational by September 9, 2009.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, February 21 - 2008 at 10:27

Dubai urges motorists to observe signs
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has called upon motorists to pay attention to the information displayed at the Variable Message Signs (VMS) of the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS). These messages, which are illustrated in text and graphic formats, provide drivers and road users with important information as they describe the condition of traffic on key roads, bridges, tunnels and crossings in the emirate of Dubai. Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said the RTA has completed installation and commissioning of 253 signs including 73 cautionary signs displaying permissible speed limits, and 162 signs providing information about the condition of lanes.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, February 20 - 2008 at 09:37