News | Ministry of Transport

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Ministry Rolls Out Self-Driving Minibus Trial at QF Campus

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with Mowasalat (Karwa) and Qatar Foundation, announces the rollout of the trial of an autonomous minibus with zero carbon emissions at Qatar Foundation’s Campus.This comes within the framework of Ministry’s efforts to further improve the mobility and transportation services in the country and in implementation of its vision of leveraging emerging technologies in line with best world practices.Over the next 10 days, the Level 4 autonomous minibus trial will take place within Qatar Foundation’s Education City, operated by Mowasalat (Karwa) along a predefined route of 3.2km, at a maximum speed of 25 km/h in autonomous mode. The route passes by Qatar National Library Metro station, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar National Library (QNL) and Northwestern University in Qatar.The minibus is equipped with radars, lidars and advanced cameras that help the minibus see and recognize the surroundings without a need for a driver. But a Safety Operator will be always on board throughout the trial to monitor and take control of the minibus in case of emergency. This trial will not be taking any passengers on board.The aim of the trial is to test the technology to provide knowledge and experience of self-driving vehicles in a real-world environment. This will inform the Ministry’s effort in the development of an overarching Autonomous Vehicle Strategy and relevant legislations for governing autonomous vehicles in the State of Qatar, taking into account the technical, legal, economic, social and environmental considerations as well as Qatar National Vision 2030’s policies and goals. This trial at Education City follows an initial trial conducted previously within Mowasalat (Karwa)’s headquarters.The Ministry continues coordinating with Mowasalat (Karwa) in bringing in the latest technologies and best universal practices in mobility with a view to adding emission-free modes of public transportation into their provision.

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Minister Inspects Lusail Tram as It Opens for Public

Doha - Qatar Minister of Transport HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti and Minister of Municipality HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, who is the Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Rail, inspected the commencement of operations of the first phase of Lusail Tram, which opened for the public today. The first phase features the inauguration of 6 Orange Line stations: Marina, Marina Promenade, Yacht Club, Esplanade, Energy City South, in addition to Legtaifiya, which is a combined Tram and Doha Metro station. Running the Lusail Tram, HE Minister Al-Sulaiti said, is in step with Ministry’s plans for providing a sustainable, multimodal, ecofriendly public transit using latest world technology systems, aiming at providing safe, reliable, and high-quality services for all beneficiaries. Lusail Tram will run seven days a week at an interval of 5 minutes. The Tram will run from 06:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. from Saturday through Wednesday, from 06:00a.m. to 11:59p.m. on Thursdays, and from 02:00p.m. to 11:59p.m. on Fridays. The Lusail Tram Network is 28km long, comprising of four lines, 25 stations and 28 trams, covering the entire Lusail City and connecting with the Doha Metro via the two stations of Legtaifiya and Lusail.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Ministry Announces Lusail Tram’s First Phase Opens for Public in January

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport announces that the first phase of Lusail Tram services will open for the public starting Jan. 1st, 2022.The first phase features the operation of part of the Orange Line with 6 stations: Marina, Marina Promenade, Yacht Club, Esplanade, Energy City South, in addition to Legtaifiya, which is a combined Tram and Doha Metro station.Lusail Tram will run seven days a week with an interval of 5 minutes. When Lusail Tram becomes fully operational, the public will be able to use it to reach all the outskirts of Lusail City and connect to the Metro network via Legtaifiya Station and Lusail Station.This announcement is in line with Ministry’s plans for providing an integrated, sustainable, and multimodal public transit system, and also supports Qatar’s hosting of an environment-friendly and carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Minister Meets with Iraqi Counterpart

Doha – QatarMinister of Transport HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met with Minister of Transport of the brotherly Republic of Iraq, HE Nasser Hussein Al-Shibli, in Ministry offices today.The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation in the fields of transportation, maritime transportation, harbors, and civil aviation and means of further enhancing them, in addition to several topics that interest the two countries. The meeting was attended by Ambassador of Iraq in Doha HE Mr. Omar Ahmed Al Barzanji.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Minister, Iraqi Counterpart Visit Doha Metro

Doha – QatarMinister of Transport HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti and Minister of Transport of the brotherly Republic of Iraq HE Nasser Hussein Al-Shibli paid a visit to Doha Metro where they inspected its operations and were briefed on the aspects of the project by officials representing Qatar Rail. Ambassador of Iraq in Doha HE Mr. Omar Ahmed Al Barzanji participated in the visit.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Qatar Wins IMO Council Category C Membership

LondonThe State of Qatar has won a Category C membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in the elections held during the 32nd Session of the IMO Assembly at IMO headquarters in London. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization. The Council is made up of 40 Member States.Member States lauded the capabilities of the State of Qatar to perform an effective role to enhance the work of the global maritime system and to contribute to stimulating global maritime trade.Qatar recorded good results amongst all the candidacies alongside 40 IMO Council Member States. On this occasion, Minister of Transport HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said that Qatar winning the IMO Council membership affirms Qatar’s ranking and appreciation at international forums and organizations at regional and international levels under the leadership of The Amir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and also reflects Member States’ trust in the amount of work Qatar is doing with regard to maritime navigation’s safety and security and marine environment protection and which receive a close attention and unlimited support from HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. HE the Minister voiced his appreciation for brotherly and friendly Member States’ trust and backing of Qatar’s candidacy. He also praised the big efforts made by the work team to achieve that success, which reflected meanings of indivisibility and interdependence between government and private sectors to raise the name of Qatar at international fora, on top of them are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the maritime authority, Qatar’s commercial, industrial and tourist ports and private sector’s maritime transportation companies.Qatar’s presence in the IMO Council, he said, will enhance the efforts that aim at developing global regulations and laws in maritime navigation realm, thus supporting the growth of world trade.HE the Minister also emphasized making all efforts that support IMO’s plans and programs to achieve its objectives and principles, in addition to continuing to carrying out several national projects to keep pace with all developments in maritime transportation and shipping industry, which is one of the world’s most advanced industries.