Transport
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2020
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Although the Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow of uncertainty over parts of the global transport sector – particularly aviation – beyond those immediate issues, Saudi Arabia’s transport network is positioned to play an increasingly important role in the economy in the years ahead. Improving the Kingdom’s logistics and transport infrastructure is a central goal of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Programme, with early wins in speeding up the movement of cargo through seaports demonstrating a coordinated, multi-agency effort to make significant improvements. With new roads and bridges to Bahrain and Egypt planned, Saudi Arabia is also displaying its intention to leverage its location to serve as a transport hub, connecting countries and continents in the region. This chapter contains interviews with Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Khalb, President, Saudi Ports Authority; and Bashar Al Malik, CEO, Saudi Railway Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Smooth moves: The Kingdom leverages its strategic position to substantially expand road, rail and port infrastructure
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The transport and logistics sector in Saudi Arabia has been targeted for key milestones, in accordance with Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious development plan to diversify the economy, grow the non-oil sector and leverage the country’s traditional position as a crossroads for international trade. While the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to have a profound impact on the broader economy, as well as the trade and transport sectors particularly, long-term development plans have, and continue…

Interview

Port of call: Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Khalb, President, Saudi Ports Authority (SPA), on maximising the value and efficiency of maritime assets in order to increase non-oil exports
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Interview:Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Khalb How can existing port infrastructure help to position Saudi Arabia as a regional trade hub? SAAD BIN ABDULAZIZ AL KHALB: The Kingdom’s strategic location connecting the three continents of Europe, Africa and Asia is one of Saudi ports’ strongest assets. The services and initiatives powered by the SPA have improved the shipping sector’s performance and efficiency across the board. Streamlining procedures and providing flexible and competitive services…

Interview

Network expansion: Bashar Al Malik, CEO, Saudi Railway Company (SAR), on leveraging private sector investment and boosting integration
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Interview:Bashar Al Malik What is being done to consolidate the transport sector and expand current infrastructure? AL MALIK: The whole railway industry is currently undergoing restructuring. In the past there were different entities overseeing railway projects and operating railway lines, leading to some degree of conflict. However, this situation was resolved in 2017 when SAR became the sole owner of all railway infrastructure in the Kingdom. In addition, a merger is taking place between…

Analysis

Competitive advantage: Reforms to improve speed and ease the transport of goods
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A raft of reforms and digital transformation initiatives in Saudi Arabia have earned the country a place among the top-10 most improved global business climates in 2019, according to the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2020” report. The country’s new rank of 62nd out of 190 countries on the report’s ease of doing business rankings marked an improvement of 30 spots on the previous year. This was attributed to reforms in eight areas of business life, including trade across borders, which…

Analysis

Full throttle: Moving ahead with local and regional rail network integration
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The Kingdom’s rail network has made major strides in recent years, opening up new passenger stations and lines for residents and pilgrims, while also moving tonnes of freight off the road and onto track. Investment in rail infrastructure is set to continue with Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the Gulf Railway, also called the GCC Railway, and the $7bn Saudi Landbridge Project (SLP), which connects the county’s two largest cities of Jeddah and Riyadh, both set to come on-line in the 2020s.…