News | Ministry of Transport

Monday, March 19, 2018

Hamad Port Hits One Million Containers Mark

Doha – QatarHamad Port today held a ceremony to mark the handling of its first one million TEUs, well ahead of its expected schedule.This rapid increase in the container handling business at Hamad Port demonstrates its operational efficiency and relentless efforts toward holding a leading position among key regional and global ports according to the plan overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC). This achievement, under the current exceptional circumstances, would not have been possible without HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s vision and HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani’s unlimited support, said HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti in his remarks at the ceremony. The Prime Minister’s directives, he added, played a key role in enhancing the ranking of the port and transforming it into a key regional logistics hub, despite being relatively new.In such a record short time, he explained, Hamad Port today marks the handling of one million TEUs coming from regional and global seaports via 22 direct navigation routes and around 120 navigation destinations.The synergy of efforts among all stakeholders has played a key role in boosting productivity and accelerating handling operations, thereby raising the port’s competitiveness in terms of the time consumed in stevedoring services, the Minister said, addressing the event that was attended by multiple stakeholders, navigation route representatives and shipping agencies. Work will continue towards further achievements and thus generate more support for the national economy, as well as for providing fast, effective services at the port, the Minister said. Hamad Port, he added, has proved highly capable of not only flexibly handling the logistics challenges that have emerged from the current circumstances, but also overcoming them efficiently, let alone its significant contribution to bolstering Qatar’s marine trade and overall development strategies.“The shipping routes that have been launched between Hamad Port and regional and international ports have provided additional reliable options and solutions for customers, playing a significant role in enhancing container handling operations and boosting trade via the Port,” said Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) CEO Captain Abdulla Al-Khanji.Mwani Qatar, he added, “continues supporting the establishment of Hamad Port’s network of navigation routes and broadening the services provided to customers according to the plan that MOTC oversees.”Mwani Qatar along with partners has successfully launched 22 direct shipping routes between Hamad Port and several regional and international seaports and some 120 navigation destinations. The most recent was a new service from South Korean shipping line Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) as part of the S. Korea-Middle East Express (KME) service.Since inaugurated, Hamad Port has been making headlines with widely recognized success stories in a record short time, and has significantly enhanced its share of regional trade volume in the Middle East.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Ministry Holds Workshop on Government Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft 1.1

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has organized a workshop on renewing the Government Enterprise Agreement signed between the Government of Qatar, represented by MOTC, and Microsoft.The framework agreement, which was renewed for another three years, aims to secure technology needs for government entities in order to further enhance efficiency and advance the digital transformation agenda across all government sectors.The renewal covers all Microsoft software licenses used in enrolled government entities, including computer and server licenses such as Windows Servers, Exchange Servers, SQL Servers and other licenses and products.Subscriptions for government entities to the Microsoft Azure Cloud Computing Platform have also been renewed.“Public-private partnerships contribute to supporting and implementing the vision of the Government of Qatar for the transformation into a smart, digital government,” said Mr. Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed, MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of the Government Information Technology Sector.He added that MOTC “doesn’t look at this agreement as an ordinary contract with a global company, but rather considers it as a real partnership and an active tool for boosting digital transformation across all government entities and for improving the quality of government services provided to all citizens, residents and visitors.”He noted that Qatar was among the very first countries in the Middle East to have signed framework agreements with Microsoft, realizing the benefits of keeping up with the latest technologies at competitive prices away from price fluctuations worldwide.The renewed agreement has multiple new features. Government entities will be able to use cloud computing safely particularly in multifactor authentications, as well as the feature that is designed to help classify and protect all files and documents from leakage and theft. Another important feature is the Exchange Online Protection (EOP) that helps keep emails safe. ‘Microsoft Teams’ has been also enabled to provide a chat-based collaboration product for better project management. Its main function is to facilitate teamwork and promote productivity through facilitating chat, project management, and extensive integration.The renewed agreement also gives government entities access to Exchange servers for emails and SharePoint servers to build online portals, as well as Skype servers for an unlimited number of government entities.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

HE Minister Sends Missive to President of ICAO Council

Montreal – CanadaHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti has sent a written message to the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu on latest developments regarding civil aviation.The message was delivered by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman HE Mr. Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey, who met with Dr. Aliu in Montreal today.Mr. Al Subaey also met with EU representatives within ICAO. They discussed latest developments in relation to civil aviation.Mr. Al Subaey hailed the role ICAO plays in preserving air safety and security, praising the efforts of the Organization in this respect.The meeting was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Canada HE Mr. Fahad Mohammed Yousif Kafood.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Truck Parking Facility in Al Shamal Now Open, 285 Spaces Available

Doha – Qatar The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has announced that its truck parking project in Al Shamal area is now open and operational.Strategically located near Al-Ruwais Port and spanning an area of 75,000 sqm., the new truck parking facility provides 285 parking spaces that can accommodate all types of trucks. Modern and easy to access, the parking facility will save freight movement time by providing seamless connectivity to expressways, also having a great impact on truck and traffic safety.MOTC earlier charged the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) with the project design and execution in line with the world’s best standards and specifications. The company will also manage and operate the project for the first year.The project forms part of a larger MOTC plan for establishing and developing four truck parking facilities in key areas across the country. The aim is to modernize and improve mobility and transportation services countrywide in accordance with the Qatar Public Transport Program (QPTP).Committed to supporting the private sector, MOTC has provided facilities to the truck freight industry, allowing it to take advantage of the multiple services the project offers such as free parking for the first two months and instant truck services such as maintenance and repair.Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of Technical Affairs, MOTC, said the truck parking project in Al Shamal was one of the key projects developed by MOTC to serve the heavy freight industry in Qatar within the framework of its larger mobility and transportation strategy. This, he said, is being achieved through providing innovative solutions to address the challenges emerging from the substantial economic leap that the country is witnessing, and will further help in relieving traffic congestion caused by truck parking in residential areas.He explained that MOTC within its strategic plan had earlier located four sites where truck parking spaces could be constructed and launched a public tender to private sector companies in Q1 of 2017, which Mwani Qatar won.Eng. Nabil Mohammed Al-Khaldi, Chief Officer, Ports Management at Mwani Qatar, said they were proud to have won the project’s design and execution contract, which reflected the recognition given to the company as one of the leading providers of integrated logistics services in Qatar.He said the 285 parking spaces have been designed and constructed in line with the world’s latest standards and specifications to secure a wide range of services for trucks, in addition to safety and security around the clock.The project location: Press Here..

Thursday, March 8, 2018

HE Minister Holds Talks with Kuwait State Minister for Housing Affairs

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met here today with Kuwaiti State Minister for Housing Affairs and State Minister for Services Affairs HE Dr. Jenan Mohsen Ramadan.The two officials discussed cooperation ties in the fields of transport, communications, ports and aviation and means of further enhancing them. They also discussed the potential investment opportunities available in both countries and a number of matters of common interest between the two brotherly countries.The meeting was attended by the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar HE. Mr. Hafiz Mohammed Al Ajmi and a number of MOTC senior officials and representatives of transport and communications sectors, as well as the delegation escorting the Kuwaiti official.The Kuwaiti minister also paid a visit to Qatar Portal Services Company (Qatar Post) and was briefed on company development plans that aim to provide better services via the deployment of latest technologies in the area of postal services.

Monday, March 5, 2018

MOTC Organizes Training Course on Maritime Mishaps, Vessel Safety

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has organized a training course on the best practices for handling, reporting and investigating different types of maritime incidents and accidents, as well as vessel safety management.The workshop brought together professionals and employees from MOTC’s Maritime Transport Affairs, as well as Qatar Coast Guard, Qatar Petroleum and Nakilat (Qatar Gas Transport Company).The training course is a part of MOTC’s ongoing efforts and endeavors for developing and sharpening the professional skills of maritime sector workforce.Participants were introduced to a wide range of maritime incidents and accidents and mechanism of handling them through legal channels laid down in IMO resolutions.They also learned about the appropriate procedures that must be taken during maritime mishaps, principles and rules to be observed for safe navigation, as well as incidents and accidents reporting and investigation and maritime safety best practices.