News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

First direct ship service launched to Hamad Port

Doha-Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) has announced the launch of the first direct service to the new Hamad Port with the arrival of container ship CMA CGM Uruguay’, which is part of Ocean Alliance, the world's largest container shipping alliance.This is part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications ambitious strategy aimed at promoting Hamad Port regionally and internationally.The new service will support Qatar's foreign trade, increase the volume of container handling and reduce the time the goods take from ports served by the Ocean Alliance, Mwani Qatar said.The alliance offers 40 services on the East-West trade with around 100 ports of call and almost 500 port pairs.The new line will also support Hamad Port’s transshipment capabilities and help to reach the goals set to transform Qatar into a regional trading hub, which will have a positive impact on maximizing the country's revenues from the non-oil sector and contributing to the achievement of the Qatar National Vision 2030."We are pleased to announce the launch of the new direct service of Ocean Alliance, the world's largest container shipping alliance, which will undoubtedly serve the national economy and contribute to achieve the goals set by our wise leadership to promote Hamad Port and transform Qatar into a regional trading hub," said Captain Abdulla al-Khanji, Mwani Qatar chief executive officer.The new line, which comes in less than three months of the start of the first direct service between Hamad Port and Shanghai in China under MSC’s New Falcon Service, will provide better transit times and reduce the time necessary for goods from 30 to 14 days, he said.“Meeting the needs of our customers is our priority in Mwani Qatar, we constantly strive to develop and improve services in a way that supports our competitiveness and our presence as a regional and international leading integrated port and logistics services provider”, al-Khanji stressed.Managed by CMA CGM group, CMA CGM Uruguay is the second largest ship to reach Hamad port since the start of operations. It has a length of about 300 meters and a total capacity of 10,500 TEUs.The 14,000 TEU containership ‘MSC Esthi’ was the first vessel of such size to visit Hamad Port, which sailed into the port on December 1, 2016 marking the official opening of the port.About 19 containerships of the same size from the Ocean Alliance are expected to arrive at Hamad Port in the next few months.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

MOTC calls for entries for World Summit Award 2017

Doha, 30 April 2017The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) is now accepting applications from Qatar’s digital content community for the World Summit Award 2017.The application process is now open with Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, MOTC, being the national expert spearheading the nomination process for the State of Qatar.Individuals, public and private entities, companies, universities, NGOs and all institutions are invited to join the competition by submitting their best digital content from today until May 15, 2017.Submissions for the WSA can contain all mobile and web-based applications, including apps, webpages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, sms-based products, mobile games and interactive mobile productions. There is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the projects work with. All submitted products must have been completed after January 1, 2015.The competition, which is free, aims at recognizing and honoring national efforts for developing interactive digital content that contributes to the social and economic development of Qatar as well as facilitating the transformation into a knowledge-based society.“The contest is a great opportunity to recognize the e-content created in Qatar and around the world. We invite all individuals and agencies with outstanding e-content to apply for the competition to represent Qatar and to be recognized and honored at national and global levels,” Ms Al-Mansoori said.The award includes eight categories: government & citizen engagement, health & wellbeing, learning & education, environment & green energy, culture & tourism, smart settlements & urbanization, business & commerce and inclusion & empowerment. The national expert will nominate one product for each of the eight categories.Individuals and agencies with great digital content are invited to submit their entries to MOTC via email: wsa@motc.gov.qa to be considered for nomination.Through national pre-selections and contests together with a global jury process, WSA demonstrates the local diversity and rich creativity of ICT use. WSA is a global hub for everyone who values the crucial importance of local content to make today’s information society more inclusive.Evaluation is based upon the concept of excellence in content and creativity and includes innovation in terms of applications. The WSA is a content-focused award and does not evaluate the commercial success or the organizational implementation and use of products.After the national pre-selection period, a jury of experts will come together to evaluate the submissions and select the 40 best products from hundreds of national nominations. The 40 WSA winners will get the chance to present their products at the WSA World Congress.The event will also offer a platform for high-level experts, industry leaders, and government representatives to discuss innovation in digital content. For more information and contest criteria, please visit this link.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

calls for applications now open for “Alecso Apps Award” and “Mada ALECSO Apps Award"

Doha-The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) invites individuals, and public and private entities to join “Alecso Apps Award” and “Mada ALECSO Apps Award” by submitting their best creative applications to the two awards.Nominations for the third Edition of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Apps Award 2017 are open until May 15, where the final ceremony will be held in Tunis, Tunisia.Alecso Apps is an annual award assigned to the best Arab completed applications in the fields of education, culture, science and educational games.The Award falls within the framework of a broader project implemented by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), aiming to provide technological and institutional environment necessary to contribute to the emergence of an Arab industry for smart phones and digital tablets applications. This will be attained via contributing to the development of a common Arab vision for the sector, developing Arab specialized human resources and facilitating and promoting the production of mobile applications.A special award for People with Disabilities (PwDs) applications are launched in the current edition of Alecso App Award, in collaboration with Mada, Qatar Assistive Technology Center.“Mada ALECSO Apps Award” is granted to the best Arab mobile phone application developed for users with special needs, with the aim of improving their living conditions though mobile applications providing services that make life easier to any person having any type of disability.Candidacies for Mada ALECSO Apps Award will be received by AlECSO until July 31, 2017.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Minister inaugurates GREAT - Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017

DOHA- Minister inaugurates GREAT - Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, has inaugurated the Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017, In the presence of HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi.The conference is being organized by Assistive Technology Center (MADA) between April 23 to 26, 2017, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).In his opening speech, the Minister said: “the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, spares no effort in supporting efforts aimed at raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities and investing their abilities and potential."This event confirms the commitment to continue to raise and discuss the latest developments and concerns related to improving the lives of people with disabilities at all levels through information technology and integrating them into society to ensure that they can benefit from their abilities to contribute to the advancement of the State of Qatar," the Minister added.The GREAT 2017 conference is the first of its kind in the region and focuses on education practices in Inclusive Computer Technology and Assistive Technology (AT). Industry experts will exchange information on the best practices and the current trends in the field of ICT and AT. The conference is structured in two phases, the first took place on April 23 to 24, and included intensive all-day master classes for participants pertaining to various AT topics. The second phase, on April 25 to 26, involved an opening ceremony, panel discussions and 60–90-minute educational workshops for participants.MADA is committed to spreading awareness about PWD in Qatar and helping them stay connected in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology. Maha Al Mansouri, CEO of Mada said: “At MADA we are committed to supporting students with disabilities in Qatar, and our goal is to provide quality mainstream education for them by the end of 2018. Our GREAT conference is a huge milestone for PWD in Qatar, as it provides an ideal platform to further extend the necessary tools and knowledge needed to provide education and AT practices to those teaching PWD. This conference is a prime example of our efforts to further achieve our targets related to education. We are dedicated to providing the power of ICT, and through existing partnerships with stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, MADA is able to gauge its educational operations to gain the furthest possible reach within Qatar.”The conference witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between Mada and other parties in the field of communication, information technology, and assistive technology. An agreement was signed with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services from the United Arab Emirates and with the Assistive Technology Industry Association from the USA.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Qatar leading the way in aviation security

DohaThe State of Qatar ranked as one of the world’s top countries in civil aviation safety, according to official results released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) yesterday. Qatar scored 99.1% in applying the guidelines of annex 17 on Safeguarding International Civil Aviation against Acts of Unlawful Interference. Qatar also scored 96.76% in implementing safety management and a 100% in annex nine on facilitation. The Civil Aviation Authority said that the scores reflect a qualitative leap when compared to Qatar’s results in 2012, when it received a score of 78.76%. The Civil Aviation Authority stressed that the achievement is an important step towards realising Qatar National Vision 2030. The Chairman of Qatar Aviation Authority, Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey, expressed his delight at the success and said that results of the ICAO’s safety audit proved that Hamad International Airport is one of the safest in the world. He added that the state’s support of the civil aviation industry was the main reason behind the achievement, along with the co-operation of all partners concerned with civil aviation security, the Ministry of Interior’s Airport Security Department and Airport Passports Department, and the management of Hamad International Airport.Al-Subaey said that the latest achievement will be an advantage to the national carrier Qatar Airways given it takes-off from one of the world’s safest airports. This will also encourage other carriers to operate in the airport. For his part, Director of Airport Security Department Brigadier Essa Arar al-Rumaihi said the achieved high scores were a result of the continuous efforts of all authorities who operate within a strong system. He noted that the Airport Security Department has succeeded in raising the performance level of its employees as a result of employing the latest techniques and training in airport security, and stressed that this training along with the usage of latest technology led to the high scores and enhanced security in the airport. The ICAO carries out safety audits that are mandatory to all member countries. The audits usually involve ensuring that airports are in line with the 19 annexes on security, referred to as the Chicago Convention. A team from the ICAO arrived in Qatar in February to carry out the audit.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Emir visits Qatar Rail metro construction

Doha-THE Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani visited a Metro station recently to inspect construction progress. While there HH the Emir was given a presentation on the state-of-the-art technology used in the trains as well as their unique interior and exterior designs, safety features and services during the visit, and observed Qatar Railways Company's (Qatar Rail) life sized mock-ups of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram trains. Also in attendance was Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti said: "Thanks to the wise direction of HH the Emir, may God protect him, and the follow-up and supervision of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, transport and communications projects are receiving great interest, leading to implementation of strategic initiatives."He added; “The Ministry of Transport and Communications has put in place policies and strategies that aim to greatly improve transport infrastructure in Qatar using the latest technologies in the projects."The Minister added that the Doha Metro will be the backbone of an integrated public transport system, supported by the other Qatar Rail projects and on-going road projects.Qatar Rail's Managing Director Eng Abdulla Abdulaziz al Subaie said:"We are honoured to welcome HH the Emir, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister and HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, for an exclusive private viewing of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram train mock-ups. It is due to the country's great leadership that we are able to achieve important milestones and implement various ambitious plans that aim to boost our performance and set our company as a role model in transparency and project delivery."