Transport and Logistics
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Dubai launches e-bus cards
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has launched the first phase of the Automatic Fare Collection System in the form of e-cards for people travelling in public buses. The systems have been installed in a number of buses and will be phased into all of the emirate's fleet.
Agility wins three contracts overseas
Kuwait-based Agility was awarded 3 civil works contracts last week, according to Al-Qabas newspaper. The first, valued at around $200m and renewable for a 3-year period, includes providing logistics services for Shell, Axon Mobil and International Chevron, at a recently-discovered gas concession in Sydney. The second contract, with around 10-12 million euros expected revenue, was signed with the international food and beverage company Kraft Foods, to provide logistics services in different markets.
Makkah rail project approved
Saudi Arabia has approved a project to build a 4.5km, dual track Light Rail service, which will be able to carry 60,000 passengers per hour, in Makkah. Designed to ease traffic congestion, it is part of the wider SR7.5bn Darb Al-Mashair project, which will also see two 50-storey towers, a shopping mall, hotels and car parking built.
Free parking at major Dubai Metro stations
Dubai Metro commuters will be able to park their cars free of charge at the metro stations in Rashidiya, Al Qusais and Jumeirah Island. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it hopes the 'park and ride' decision will encourage more use of the metro, once services start running. The first phase of the Dubai Metro is due to open on September 9 this year.
Dubai taxi speed limiters installed
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has installed limiters in some taxis to stop them from going faster than 100kph. About 200 taxis have been installed with the device. The project was initially launched in 2006, but later abandoned. In Abu Dhabi, silver taxis cannot drive faster than 120kph.
APL to ship to Abu Dhabi
Singapore's NOL subsidiary, APL, is to include Abu Dhabi on its express service linking South Asia, the Gulf and the Red Sea, The National has reported. The group holds 3.6% of the global container shipping market. APL will now call at the emirate's Mina Zayed port, as well as Bahrain, as part of its mainline service. The group also reported a 28% increase in shipments to Mina Zayed last year.
Abu Dhabi metro to be operational in 2015
Dr Abdul Qader Al Shahbani, project manager of the Surface Transport Master Plan at the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, said the first phase of the metro in the capital will be 42.5 km long, and will be ready by September 2015. The 42.5km track for the first metro line would be 2.13 km at grade track (ground level), 4.91 km elevated, 16.2 km cut and cover tunnel and 19.26 km in the bored tunnels.
Port Sultan Qaboos inks deal for upgrade
Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman has signed a $3.9m deal with Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery to design, manufacture, supply and install rubber-tyred gantry cranes and spare parts at the port. The upgrade, which is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2010, is aimed at improving throughput at the facility.
Qatar's Education City plans underground rail
Qatar is planning to build an underground light rail network serving the Education City development outside Doha, MEED has reported. The system will be one of five components of a larger rail network serving the rest of the country that is planned by local developer Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, while Germany's Deutsche Bahn is working on its conceptual design.
Cargo terminals to add to throughput at KIA
Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has finalised contracts and specifications for the implementation of the first and second phases of developments at Kuwait International Airport that will include new cargo buildings, allowing the facility to handle up to two million tonnes of freight every year, reported KUNA. The airport's western runway will also undergo further development and extension, together with the construction of a third runway, aircraft maintenance facilities and fuel stations.
Baghdad inks deals on road and bridge projects
Baghdad's Mayoralty has announced the signing of contracts to set up roads and bridges projects at a total cost of 115 billion Iraqi Dinars, in a bid to ease traffic congestion in the Iraqi capital. The projects include the construction of al-Shaab bridge, the al-Zuhour bridge, the al-Mustansiriya bridge and Sahat al-Matahaf bridge in al-Allawi area, in addition to the reconstruction of the Baghdad International Airport road.
Abraaj eyes stake in DP World
Dubai-based Abraaj Capital is considering buying a stake of more than 15% in DP World, reported the Financial Times. The stake in the port operator controlled by the Dubai government would have a value of about $1bn.
Cross-border trips in a hire car require permission, say agents
The UAE has reinstated a law that requires residents who want to drive to Oman and Saudi Arabia in a hire car to secure written approval from car hire companies first, reported The National. The policy, which has been on the books for years but not enforced, has been reinstated following a rise in car theft among vehicles hired by people from Saudi and Oman.
Dubai's RTA offers scratch cards to top up Salik
Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Dubai's Traffic and Roads Agency (RTA) said the agency has introduced scratch cards of Dhs50, 100 and 200 denominations to enable Salik users to top up their accounts. The top-up process has to be completed by following-up the instructions at the reverse side of the card, or by calling Salik Call Centre at 800-Salik (72545) and complying with the voice guidance, or else through logging at the Salik portal (www.salik.ae).
Suez Canal revenue falls
Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has said April revenues have dropped by 22.7% to $346.9m, up from the $327.9m reported in March, according to Reuters. The total number of vessels using the canal was 1,482 in April, up from 1,439 in March, and 1,272 in February. Changing revenues at the canal reflect global trade figures, and also the piracy taking place in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia.
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