News | Ministry of Transport

Thursday, November 8, 2018

QTerminals Signs MoU with China Harbour Engineering Co. on Ports Investment

Doha – QatarQTerminals, the recently-established operator of the first phase of Hamad Port in Qatar, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a leading provider of full services in Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), and Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for both public and private sectors.The MoU was signed by QTerminals CEO Mr. Neville Bissett and President of CHEC Mr. Tang Qiaoliang, in the presence of HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti.The MoU serves the objectives of China's One Belt, One Road initiative and the Qatar National Vision 2030. It aims to identify and invest in potential maritime investment opportunities around the world. It also comes within Ministry’s endeavors to further boost Qatar’s ranking worldwide and open up new horizons for growth and development in all sectors.As per the MoU, the two parties shall agree on the working mechanisms concerning funding, designing, constructing, operating and managing the opportunities to be discussed and agreed upon by both companies.It also strengthens cooperation between the two companies in the framework of their mutual terms of reference, to provide the necessary resources and support to achieve the intended objectives of this cooperation. Moreover, the two parties intend to hold regular meetings and form task forces to implement their plan of action within a specific timeframe.QTerminals is a terminal operating company jointly established by Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar- 51%) and Qatar Navigation (Milaha- 49%) to provide the container, general cargo, RORO, livestock and offshore supply services in Phase 1 of Hamad Port, Qatar’s gateway to world trade.CHEC is a leading provider of full services in Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), and Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for both public and private sectors. Their diverse infrastructure portfolio includes marine engineering, dredging and reclamation, road and bridge, railway, airport, equipment assembly. The company has abundant expertise and experience in other industries as well, such as building, municipal works, environmental, hydraulic engineering, power plant and energy, and resource exploration. By virtue of its advantages in technique, equipment, marketing and manpower, CHEC provides prestigious services globally and is becoming a world-renowned brand in the field of engineering.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Q-CERT holds cyber security drill to secure major events

Doha-QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) organized on Wednesday a Pre-Conference for the 6th National Cybersecurity Drill (Star 6) which will be conducted next December.The event titled 'Defending the Nation, Securing Major Events' featured expert speakers from Gartner Research, Kaspersky, F-secure and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.“Over 500 people from 95 entities will participate in the cybersecurity drill ‘Star 6’ event to be hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications next month,” said Eng. Khalid Sadiq Al Hashmi Assistant Undersecretary for Cyber Security Sector at MOTC on the sidelines of the press conference on the 6th National Cybersecurity Drill.He added: “The aim of organizing the event is to protect the State’s digital assets and to unify the efforts of all government entities.”He reiterated that the topic of the event is very important considering the major events Qatar is hosting, led by 2022 FIFA World Cup. He stressed the importance of cybersecurity during these events.He said that the cybersecurity drills do not target operational sectors or departments, but target the departments that support IT sectors.For her part, Nora Al Abdullah, Training & Awareness Section Head at MOTC said that cyber drills are an important part of the national cybersecurity strategy that was issued in 2014.She pointed out that since the first drill, which was held under the title Responding to Cyber Incidents, the mechanism of implementing the drills has been developed, with the number of participants increasing from 20 to about 95 in the next edition.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Minister Attends Istanbul’s Third Airport Inauguration Ceremony

Istanbul – TurkeyCommissioned by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti witnessed yesterday the inauguration of the Istanbul New Airport.HE Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the new facility. Several chiefs of states, world leaders and high-profile government officials attended the opening ceremony.The inauguration of Phase I of Istanbul’s third airport coincides with the Republic Day of Turkey, which falls on Oct. 29.Quoting Turkish officials, Istanbul’s third airport on its first phase will be able to accommodate some 90 million travelers a year and more than 150 million travelers by 2023, making it the world’s largest airport.The airport is scheduled to complete on multiple phases and has a future expansion plan. It is replacing the 65-year-old Istanbul Atatürk Airport, which will no longer be operating as an airport, but rather be inaugurated as a megapark in coincidence with opening the new airport.Qatar’s Ambassador in Ankara HE Mr. Salem bin Mubarak Shafi Al-Shafi and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman HE Mr. Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey attended the ceremony.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Qatar takes part in Marine Environment Protection Committee meetings

LondnQatar takes part in the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meetings held at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, UK, from 22 to 26 October to discuss issues and topics on the agenda related to the marine environment.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Workshop Held on ‘Integrated Public Transport Ticketing & Fare Collection System’

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has organized a workshop on the requirements that are needed for deploying the Integrated Public Transport Ticketing & Fare Collection System in cooperation with the main stakeholders.The workshop explained the mechanism of implementing a unified ticketing system for all modes of transport through sophisticated and secure systems that offer multiple payment options such as Single Transport Card/ Ticket, debit/credit cards, mobile apps, etc.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Statement from the Ministry of Transport and Communications

Doha – QatarQatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications is aware of the surprising news being reported in some media outlets, which claims that arms shipments have passed through Doha from Tehran in a cargo aircraft that landed at Hamad International Airport and then left for the Lebanese capital Beirut.This story is completely baseless. After reviewing the records and comparing them to the stories being reported, it was confirmed beyond doubt that this story is incorrect and not based on any facts.The stories claim that an aircraft carrying the number QFZ-9950 landed in Doha, which is incorrect. The aircraft that landed at Hamad International Airport was carrying the number QFZ9976, which landed at 22:20 pm Doha time on Wednesday 17 October 2018. This was a cargo aircraft carrying a shipment of livestock belonging to the Qatari company Widam Food, which then left Doha for Tehran at 10:30 am on Thursday, 18 October 2018.The Ministry of Transport and Communications condemns the false allegations that Qatar facilitates the transfer of arms. The Ministry reaffirms that all of its institutions comply with the highest international security standards and all relevant domestic and international laws to ensure international security and safety at all land, air and sea ports.The Ministry calls on all media to ensure accuracy and credibility of their reporting before further dissemination of baseless information.