News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Mwani Qatar, Milaha Join Hands to Manage Hamad Port

Doha – Qatar HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Chairman of Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) and Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Navigation (Milaha), today witnessed the signing of an agreement between Mwani Qatar and Milaha to establish a new company, QTerminals, to manage Hamad Port.As per the agreement, the new company will be co-owned by Mwani Qatar; 51%, and Milaha; 49%, and will manage operations at Hamad Port as an independent company with its own board of directors, executives and staff.The deal was signed by Mwani Qatar CEO Captain Abdulla Al Khanji and Milaha President & CEO Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai.Commenting on the occasion, Minister Al Sulaiti said; “This strategic partnership reaps the benefits of several years of strong collaboration and ties between Mwani Qatar and Milaha, which have brought about this common plan for managing Hamad Port, one of the country’s vital megaprojects and which will serve as Qatar’s gateway to world trade.”He noted that the agreement itself was an accomplishment that further encourages the private sector to be part of strategic partnerships in developmental projects, which in economic terms would reflect positively on the nation and citizens, economically speaking.The Minister also said the Mwani Qatar-Milaha partnership represented a role model for the Qatari private sector to contribute to transportation projects, going beyond prevalent partnerships in building and construction, and ushering in a new era of real operational processes that will help enrich the private sector’s investment philosophy. And this, he added, would contribute to localizing applied expertise and technology.The project reflects the vision of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the importance of supporting the private sector in becoming a constituent element in the national economy, he explained.“We are confident the new company, established collaboratively by two of Qatar’s leading corporations, will contribute to leveraging the country’s competitiveness among world economies,” he added.The Minister also stated that Hamad Port would be contributing to increasing Qatar’s imports, exports and international maritime trade and would stimulate growth and economic diversification across the region. With that in place, he noted, Qatar would be positioned to become a regional commercial hub and would be well on the road to achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.For his part, Sheikh Al-Thani said; “Our partnership with Mwani Qatar is a continuation of our longstanding relationship, which will continue to work toward achieving Qatar’s vision of becoming a global trade and logistics hub.”“Hamad Port is one the world’s largest port development projects. It will herald a new era of uniqueness and pioneering in the area of commercial port development in Qatar and the wider region,” he added.He went on to say that Hamad Port would be contributing to supporting the country’s economic diversification program, and would play a key role in pushing forward sustainable and comprehensive development in Qatar and the region.Hamad Port represents a significant addition to Qatar’s maritime infrastructure and will boast a handling capacity of 7 million containers a year after completion. It will also be connected to Gulf Cooperation Council countries through a road and rail network.When completed, Hamad Port will include a customs inspection area for rapid cargo clearance, a uniquely designed port Control Tower at a height of 110 meters, a ship inspection platform and multiple maritime facilities, in addition to other utilities such as storage units, mosques, rest areas, medical clinics and the offices required for port operation.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Qatar, Moldova sign “Open” Air Services Agreement

The State of Qatar represented by the Civil Aviation Authority has signed on Sunday (Nov, 27) an Air Services Agreement with the Republic of Moldova.The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al-Subaey, Chairman of Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority, and H.E. and HE Sergei Bucataru Deputy Minister of Transport and Roads Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova.The “Open Sky” agreement allows designated carriers of both countries to perform air services, with unlimited number of flights (passengers and cargo).The agreement also includes the possibility to exercise fifth freedom traffic rights, allowing airlines to carry passengers and cargo to another country, and from there to points beyond. The Agreement comes as part of ongoing efforts from Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Civil Aviation Authority to hold more talks with other countries aiming to connect the State of Qatar with more air service agreements, opening the gateway to the national carriers to fly to more destinations around the world.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Hamad Port cranes … amongst the most advanced in the world

The plan for the completion of all Hamad Port phases takes into consideration the latest and most sophisticated industry practices.The port includes more than 30 different types of cranes that are specially designed to accomplish all required functions and tasks.Hamad Port’s cranes are highly efficient with carrying capacities for certain cranes reaching 80 tons or two 40-foot containers at the same time.The Port crane installation was completed in three phases. The first phase included the arrival of the first group of container cranes for terminal 1, which included four Ship- to-Shore (STS) container cranes and eight Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes. This was followed by the arrival of the second and the third shipments, taking the total number of container cranes in the port’s first terminal up to eight STS cranes, and 26 RTG cranes.With the completion of all the maritime infrastructure, the container handling equipment (STS cranes and RTG cranes) was fully installed on the first container terminal, marking another achievement in the completion of Hamad Port construction.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

HE The Minister of Transport and Communications Heads Qatar Delegation to Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Turkmenistan

Ashgabat – DohaMinister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti is in Turkmenistan leading a Qatari delegation to the first-ever UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference.The November 26-27 forum being held in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat was opened today by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon.Multiple issues are on the conference agenda, including sustainable transportation, environmental changes, city transportation systems and transport communication between cities and villages, financing the transportation sector, international cooperation in transportation, development of multilateral transport corridors and infrastructure, as well as road safety.The forum tackles issues on combating poverty through establishing and improving public transport systems and transportation infrastructure. It brings together key stakeholders from governments, the UN and other international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to engage in a dialogue that emphasizes the integrated and crosscutting nature of sustainable transport and its multiple roles in supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A number of international conventions and pacts are expected to be signed during the conference, with conference participants able to join governmental agreements such as those related to the pan-Asia land transport routes network, land ports and the international convention on cross-border shipment monitoring regulations. Key topics at the conference include sustainable transport as a contributor to achieving the UN SDGs, rural transport challenges and opportunities, sustainable transport solutions to the climate crisis, public transport in the 21st Century with regard to transporting passengers and freight in a sustainable manner, sustainable transport solutions for countries with special circumstances, and relevant energy and transport issues.The forum also tackles multimodal sustainable transport and transit solutions through rail, marine, land and air transport connectivity, as well as topics on financing sustainable transport infrastructure for enhanced connectivity and international cooperation between public and private sectors to meet global transport needs that are currently estimated at $1-$2 trillion.The conference also discusses Vision Zero and the road to a new era of traffic safety by expanding safe passenger and freight transport systems using modes that are less harmful to humans as well as by implementing national road safety strategies and plans. A summit on transportation business is being held on the sidelines of the conference.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Hamad Port will handle 7mn containers a year

The Ministry of Transport and Communication continues its efforts to develop the ports sector, with Hamad Port at the top of priorities.Hamad Port is an important addition to Qatar Ports and will handle 7mn containers a year once fully operational. It has a general cargo terminal that can handle 1.7mn tonnes of general goods, 1mn tonnes of foodgrains and 500,000 vehicles. It will also have a livestock terminal, a multi-use terminal, an offshore supply base, a coast guard facility, and a port marine unit.Along with regional transport development plans, Hamad Port will provide transshipment links by rail, sea or road to GCC and other Arabian Gulf states making use of its advanced safety, security system, and dedicated customs inspection area with latest technologies to speed the clearance of goods.With the establishment of an economic zone adjacent to it, Hamad Port will facilitate manufacturing industries and help the nation to increase its non-oil and gas exports.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Mada Center Supports the Entrepreneurial Ambitions of People With Disabilities during GEW

Doha, Qatar,The Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) recently took part in Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 13 to 17 in Qatar, with the aim of supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs) as viable members of the entrepreneur community. In tandem with its participation at the event, Mada also released a report entitled Creating Accessible Services to Support Entrepreneur PWDs in Qatar, which details the ways in which PWDs can take advantage of the entrepreneurial environment, and how corporates benefit by supporting PWD entrepreneurs.“We were thrilled to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week and to represent persons with disabilities while showcasing our value proposition to entrepreneurs and enterprises in Qatar,” said Maha Al Mansouri, Mada CEO. “With the release of our report, we aim to educate and help incubation centers, commercial and development banks, and all public and private entities who work in supporting entrepreneurs to understand the needs of PWDs.”Mada’s report details the reasons and expectations of people with disabilities when it comes to entrepreneurial activity. Like any person, there are many reasons why people with a disability choose to become self-employed, or to start their own business. For some it is a matter of necessity when other opportunities have not materialized, for others a specific idea or opportunity emerges coupled with a desire to increase control over one’s work and to manage one’s own work–life balance, whilst increasing job satisfaction and increasing income or benefits. The report also looks at the benefits that working with entrepreneurs with disabilities bring on a wider economic and social level.“Our aim, during this event, is to show various entities how they can benefit from supporting entrepreneurs with a disability. Not only will it help them contribute to Qatar’s economy, but supporting a social initiative such as this will help them improve their triple bottom line,” added Rashid Mohsin Alhajri, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.Entrepreneurship and self-employment are vital elements in any national strategy seeking to support people with a disability in the workplace, and offer the potential for flexibility, satisfaction and financial rewards that may have been impossible whilst employed. Whilst there are many examples of successful entrepreneurs with disabilities in every part of the world, establishing a business is not without risk, however. Recognizing that people with a disability have experienced greater barriers than others over many years, there is much to be said for establishing and supporting more intensive programs to address the inherent challenges.Global Entrepreneurship Week is recognized as one of the most important platforms for spreading the culture of entrepreneurship globally and locally, with many activities and events being hosted in each country separately. The Qatar arm of the event, which was organized by Qatar Development Bank, showcases ways in which entrepreneurs can generate opportunities and build a sustainable business to boost the local economy.