Transport and Logistics
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Abu Dhabi considers Japanese traffic model
Abu Dhabi is looking at introducing the Japanese traffic model in an effort to reduce traffic jams in the emirate, especially during accidents, Khaleej Times has reported. Colonel Hussein Ahmed Al Harethi, Director of Road Engineering and Safety at the Abu Dhabi Police, said the Japanese system is effective in dealing with both the motorists and pedestrians in cases of accidents. 'The system rests on a specific plan for roads and intersections where pedestrians and vehicles alike are redirected, effectively reducing the impact of disasters,' he said.
GAC expands operations in Dubai
Dubai-based shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC has expanding the company's facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone's south zone to more than 160,000 sq.m by acquiring a 42,000 sq.m warehouse. GAC's facility in JAFZA is one of the group's largest worldwide and its logistics centre there is the region's biggest.
Dubai Metro hits one million passengers
Dubai Metro marked the one million passenger milestone on September 26, according to the statistics compiled by the Rail Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). 52,956 passengers have been lifted between the 10 operating stations on the Red Line on Saturday pushing the total number of passengers who travelled on Dubai Metro to 1,018,030 passengers in 16 days only, the figures showed.
Abu Dhabi port operations increase
According to figures from Abu Dhabi Ports, operations at Port Zayed have experienced big growth this year. The port handled 268,069 containers from January to July, compared to 199,216 containers over the same period last year, up 35%. Handling of general goods went up by 30% to 3,220,945 metric tons compared to 2,469,608 metric tons in the same period of 2008. Loose goods grew 100%, to 1,862,665 metric tons compared to 929,961 metric tons over the same period in 2008.
Momentum Logistics opens Sharjah container wash and repair services
Momentum Logistics, the third-party logistics provider and subsidiary of international port management company Gulftainer, has finished building its new container wash and repair depot at the Sharjah Inland Container Depot. The facility offers a range of services, including container inspections, CSC plate renewals, structural repairs to all types of containers and a full set of services for reefer containers.
Qatar freight growth driven by gas exports
A report by Business Monitor International (BMI) has said that Qatar's freight transport business will grow by 8.7% a year over the next five years, driven by a gas-led export boom, Gulf Times has reported. The country's maritime cargo volume will grow on average by 8.9% annually over the same period. The report said various factors support its predictions, the most important being the size of new LNG production, which is expected to come on-stream over the next few years, including the Qatargas-4 and RasGas-3 projects.
Jeddah Islamic Port eyes for 4th terminal
Authorities at the Jeddah Islamic Port may build a fourth terminal, depending on the outcome of how its 3rd terminal, MEED has reported. Jeddah port's director general Saher Tahlawi has said, the port already has a study for the location of a new terminal and is in discussion on how to issue tenders to the private sector. The port is expected for construction by 2015 and full operations by 2020.
Shipping warned of pirate attacks
William Tobin of the non-profit organisation Shipowners' Protection Ltd has warned that pirate attacks off the Somali coast may make a vigorous comeback in the coming weeks after the end of the current monsoon, the Khaleej Times has reported. 'When weather conditions improve, we expect an increase in activity over and above what we have witnessed in the recent past. The deterioration of law and order in Somalia continues undeterred,' he said.
More taxis for Dubai metro
Dubai Taxi Corporation at the Roads and Transport Authority is adding new taxis to enhance the integration of the metro with various transport modes as part of a comprehensive plan to be carried out in several phases. Abdul Aziz Malik, CEO of Dubai Taxi Corporation said 300 taxis would be deployed initially. 'Drivers of about 300 taxis have so far undergone field planning to acquaint them with the Metro stations, and practical training has been arranged for 1,531 drivers, as well as theoretical training for 3,935 drivers,' Malik said. 'Metro location maps have also been distributed to the drivers well before the launch of the project.'
Dubai Metro sees nearly 100,000 riders on Sunday
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has announced that almost 100,000 passengers used the emirate's new metro on Sunday, the first day of the Eid holidays, making it by far the busiest day on the metro since it was launched on September 10. A total of 97,527 passengers travelled between the 10 stations on the Red Line, RTA said, nearly 60,000 more than on the previous Sunday when 38,841 people used the rail service.
Work on eight marine e-fare collection systems complete
The Marine Agency at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has completed work on the electronic fare-collection system at 8 stations of the water bus. The automated fare collection service is operated through two specialized systems; the first is installed at the eight stations and operated by customer service employees for issuing Nol Silver Cards, while the second is an e-gate fitted with mechanical rods and interfaced with the Nol Card Reader.
Dubai World appoints new management posts
Dubai World has announced two new senior posts , created to streamline the group's operations, Khaleej Times has reported. Jamal Majid bin Thaniah has been appointed as group chief executive officer and Maryam Sharaf as group chief operating officer of Dubai World. Bin Thaniah would help oversee restructuring measures and take charge of managing the holding company's business. Other group companies will report directly to Bin Thaniah. Maryam Sharaf, the group's chief financial officer (CFO), will be responsible for the group's overall investment and operational management and will retain her role as group CFO until a replacement is appointed.
Jordan names IFC as rail project consultant
The Jordanian government has appointed the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, as a lead transaction consultant to help attract investors to implement the Amman-Zarqa Light Railway Project. Under the deal, the IFC will review, assess and update the economic, technical, legal and environmental studies that were conducted previously for the project. The project involves putting into service a commuter train running on a 26-kilometre dual-track railway from the city of Zarqa to the Raghadan Station in the kingdom's capital, Amman, on a build-operate-transfer basis for a period of 30 years.
Gulf Energy Maritime receives tanker
Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM), a Dubai-based independent shipping company, has taken delivery of the 'Gulf Coral,' its seventh Panamax tanker and the fleet's 16th vessel. The 75,000 dwt product oil tanker is the last but one vessel to be delivered this year by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD). It is also the third of four new Panamax vessels scheduled for delivery in 2009.
Qatar Shipping to sell unit for $110m
The board of Qatar Shipping, a marine freight transportation company, has approved an agreement to sell its unit Qatar Engineering and Construction for $110m to a group led by Qatar America Asia. The agreement will be signed shortly, Qatar Shipping said in a statement today.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds