Transport

As part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its transport and logistics sector to support economic diversification. Major projects in roads, ports, public transport and air connectivity are receiving significant public funding, with a focus on sustainability and technological innovation. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services oversees these initiatives, including the development of Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabia Railways. The National Centre for Privatisation and PPP drives the privatisation programme, enhancing private sector involvement. The transport sector plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s economic goals, offering abundant investment opportunities in infrastructure, logistics and technology-driven solutions. This chapter also contains an interview with Ibrahim Al Omar, Director-General, Saudia Group; and Jay New, CEO, King Abdullah Port.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Gathering force: Sustainable development projects are adding value along the Kingdom’s mobility networks in line with Vision 2030
OBG
plus

As Saudi Arabia pursues its programme of economic diversification as part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, the country’s transport networks and logistics industry are set to play a key role in achieving these goals. The sector continues to witness rapid expansion, as large projects in a wide range of areas – including roads, ports, public transport and airlines – are quickly developed with significant public funding. In keeping with the principles of Vision 2030, much of the transformation maintains…

Analysis

Bilateral collaboration: Recent agreements between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain underscore their commitment to joint transport and infrastructure projects
OBG
plus

The transport links between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have long played a crucial role in fostering economic, social and cultural ties across the Gulf region. The King Fahd Causeway has been a vital artery for trade and travel since its opening in 1986. The establishment of the King Fahd Causeway Authority in the early 2000s has led to significant upgrades, reflecting the deepening economic ties between the two countries. Future projects are set to enhance this connectivity. Foremost among these is…

Interview

Flight control: Ibrahim Al Omar, Director-General, Saudia Group, on sustainable development and growth opportunities within the aviation sector
OBG
plus

Interview: Ibrahim Al Omar, Director-General, Saudia Group What strategies are most effective for managing cooperation and competition in the aviation industry? IBRAHIM AL OMAR: In 2023 Saudi Arabia celebrated achieving a key objective of Vision 2030 of attracting 100m tourists by 2030 – seven years ahead of schedule. This success has led to a revision of the National Aviation Strategy’s targets, with the goal now being 150m visitors and 330m airport users. This change indicates that growth…

Interview

Global centre: Jay New, CEO, King Abdullah Port, on developing talent and the role of emerging technologies within maritime transport
OBG
plus

Interview: Jay New, CEO, King Abdullah Port In what ways can the maritime transport segment contribute to Vision 2030’s sustainability and economic diversification goals? JAY NEW: Saudi Arabia’s maritime transport infrastructure can accommodate the world’s largest vessels, reflecting the Kingdom’s readiness to play a key role in global trade. The growth in vessel sizes and demand for efficient trans-shipment services are opportunities King Abdullah Port is well positioned to capitalise…

Analysis

City living: Smart mobility solutions are paving the way for more sustainable, efficient and connected urban transport networks across the GCC
OBG
plus

The GCC’s population more than doubled over the past 25 years, growing from 26.2m in 1995 to 56.4m in 2021, outpacing the global growth rate of 30%. Urbanisation has also accelerated across the region, driven by rapid economic development, migration and the concentration of economic activities in urban centres. By 2015 the GCC led Arab countries as the most urbanised subregion, with an urbanisation rate of 82.2%. Specifically, Qatar and Kuwait achieved urbanisation rates of 99.2% and 98.3% respectively,…

Analysis

Future fuels: Emerging technologies and cleaner fuel sources are heralding a greener future for global shipping in the years ahead
OBG
plus

With fossil fuels still powering roughly 99% of global shipping, the sector is seeking to reduce emissions through cleaner fuel sources – including methanol, ammonia and wind – that could soon see increased use. Increased Investment In August 2022 Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a coalition of private investors founded by US tech entrepreneur Bill Gates, helped Danish start-up Blue World Technologies raise $37m to scale up production of a technological system that extracts hydrogen from methanol…